IP protect
before entering the market

01

IP audit starts with the business, not the registry

The company matches products and markets with marks, patents, designs, copyright, domains, confidential information and trade secrets. For each asset, creator, owner, territory, registration, contract, revenue role, renewal date and enforcement evidence are recorded.

02

Company registration does not protect the brand

ACRA business name and domain by themselves do not create a trade mark monopoly. Before filing, a Similar Mark Search is carried out, distinctive sign and classes are selected, and use or intention to use is confirmed. IPOS reviews the application, publishes it for the opposition and, if there are no obstacles, registers the mark for 10 years with the possibility of renewal.

Search

IPOS Digital Hub and commercial clearance

Applicant

Future actual owner of the brand

Specification

Exact goods/services and expansion plan

Term

10 years since filing date

Non-use

Risk of revocation after continuous five years of non-use

03

Patent strategy is built before the invention is disclosed

Before publication, pitch, testing with an external counterparty or market launch, novelty, inventorship, ownership and filing route are checked. Singapore resident separately takes into account the requirement of written authorization before the first foreign filing or first files in Singapore and complies with the established security review period.

04

Copyright arises without registration, but requires proof

The expression of ideas in material form, including texts, software, visual works and other qualifying works, is protected. The Creator is usually the first owner, but work created in the course of employment is generally owned by the employer; commissioned work requires a clear written assignment. Versions, source files, authorship and dates are saved as evidence.

05

Trade secret exists as long as the secret is actually protected

Algorithms, pricing, customer data, recipes and process know-how are classified, labeled and issued according to need-to-know. NDA does not replace access control, logging, employee rules, vendor restrictions and exit process. In a dispute, it is important to show specific confidential information and measures to protect it.

06

Ownership, assignment and license do not mix

07

Enforcement is being prepared before the first complaint

Monitoring covers register, marketplaces, domains, distributors and customs channels. Before action, validity, ownership, infringement, evidence preservation, urgency, jurisdiction, target assets and commercial objective are checked. The route may include platform notice, cease-and-desist, IPOS proceedings, mediation, arbitration or court action.

08

IP operating file

1. 01

   Asset map and ownership chain from creator to group company.

2. 02

   Search, filing calendar, countries, classes and renewals.

3. 03

   Employment, contractor, license and distribution contracts.

4. 04

   Trade-secret policy, access, logging and offboarding.

5. 05

   Monitoring, evidence pack and enforcement playbook.