SG Trade Marks Fast Programme: Accelerated Examination for Local Applications in Singapore (Practical Implications for Brand Owners)

The Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (“IPOS”) has recently implemented a major initiative designed to accelerate the examination of trade mark applications: the new SG Trade Marks Fast programme. This launch follows the completion of the SG IP FAST pilot programme on 31 December 2024.

Effective from 20 May 2025, trade mark applicants can rely on this programme to accelerate the examination process and receive either (i) the first examination report or (ii) notice that the application has been published for opposition purposes (as applicable) within 3 to 6 weeks from the date of the application. Note that this is applicable only for the first round of examination (i.e., it is not possible to accelerate any subsequent examination after a response to an office action has been filed).

This will significantly cut down the overall time to registration, given that the previous standard timeframe for trade mark applications to be examined were generally around 4 to 6 months, or longer depending on the backlog at the Registry.

Qualifying criteria and Application process

• Any Singapore national trade mark application (i.e., filed directly with IPOS via Form TM4) qualifies for the programme, if it is not for a certification or collective mark.
• The acceleration request must be made at the point of filing with the payment of the acceleration fee. 
• Currently, the official acceleration fees payable are SGD 200 per class for applications that fully adopt pre-approved descriptions, and SGD 250 per class for applications that partially adopt or do not adopt pre-approved descriptions.
• Where there are multiple classes, the acceleration request will automatically apply to all classes in the application.

These acceleration fees, like other IP registration costs, may be offset through the Enterprise Innovation Scheme (“EIS”), which allows companies either to claim enhanced tax deductions or convert qualifying expenditures into a cash payout.

Practical Implications for Brand Owners

The SG Trade Marks Fast programme significantly streamlines the timeline for acquiring trade mark rights in Singapore and allows local applications to mature to registration in potentially as fast as 3 months from the application date.

This is especially advantageous for applicants who intend to rely on the locally filed Singapore mark as a base to file an International Application (IA) under the Madrid Protocol. 

Previously, applicants relying on a freshly filed Singapore base application will almost always have to choose between (a) minimising the risk of ‘central attack’ by deferring their IA filing until after the Singapore base mark had secured registration or at least reached publication, and in turn lose the priority filing date, or (b) prioritising filing the IA within the 6-month priority claim period, but taking the risk that there could be objections raised against the base application, which could jeopardise the entire International Registration. 

The accelerated examination timeframe under the SG Trade Marks Fast programme will reduce uncertainties in this regard and at the very least give the applicant more time to resolve any objections before the expiry of the priority period.

For large retail or consumer-facing business therefore, this is an excellent opportunity to protect their key trademarks quickly in Singapore and then leverage those rights internationally. Challenges often associated with a more lengthy registration process can now be avoided, allowing brands to achieve registration under efficient timeframes which will in turn better protect their market presence and aid in enforcement efforts to deter copycats, especially in a highly competitive global marketplace.

Overall, we highly recommend considering the SG Trade Marks Fast programme for those seeking to secure trade mark rights quickly in Singapore and use the Singapore filings as a springboard for efficient and robust international protection. 

Please feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions about the process, timelines, or fees for taking advantage of this programme, and we will be glad to guide you through the next steps.