Step 1: Document What You See Before Contacting Anyone
Screenshot the infringing packaging, listing, or shopfront. Note where you found it, when, and how it's being sold. This record matters regardless of which enforcement route you use.
Do take care not to inform anyone of your suspicion, as it will become harder to gather evidence convincingly should the infringer catch wind of your report.
Step 2: Issue a Cease-and-Desist Letter to the Offender
This is the standard opening move, and it's common practice even before any formal claim is filed. As you have a registered trademark on hand, this will strengthen the weight of your letter, as you would be pointing to your existing certificate and statutory rights.
Many copyright disputes end here, since a legitimate business facing clear evidence of registered rights often avoids drawn-out fights.
Step 3: Make an Offer of Amicable Resolution
Singapore's Rules of Court 2021 require you to make an offer of amicable resolution before filing an infringement suit, unless you have a genuine reason not to. Build it into your expected timeline, since the next move after a cease-and-desist isn't straight to court.
Step 4: File a Civil Infringement Claim with the General Division of the High Court
Should the infringer be unresponsive or simply refuse a peaceful resolution, your next step is to bring your case to the General Division of the High Court. Available remedies include:
Injunctions
Damages
Account of the infringer's profits
You can also seek an interim injunction to stop ongoing infringement pending trial.
Step 5: Invoke the Trade Marks Act 1998 for Counterfeit Goods
Beyond a civil claim, Singapore's Trade Marks Act 1998 criminalises counterfeiting a registered trademark, falsely applying it, or importing and selling goods bearing a falsely applied trademark. Conviction can carry a fine of up to S$100,000, imprisonment of up to 5 years, and forfeiture and destruction of the counterfeit goods.
Prosecution generally requires demonstrating the defendant acted with fraudulent intent, so this route fits blatant counterfeiting more than a borderline, arguably similar competitor mark.
Step 6: Engage Singapore Customs for the Import of Counterfeit Goods
If counterfeit goods are being imported by the infringer, you can give Singapore Customs written notice requesting seizure. This notice is valid for 60 days from the date it's issued, prompting Customs to seize matching goods. There's no standing recordal register to set and forget. Each notice runs for its own 60-day period, so ongoing border protection means renewing it.
A Quick Step-By-Step Checklist
Step | What it involves |
1. Document | Screenshots, dates, how the goods are being sold |
2. Cease-and-desist | Standard opening move, stronger with a registered trademark |
3. Offer to resolve | Required under the Rules of Court before filing suit |
4. Civil claim | General Division of the High Court; injunction, damages, account of profits |
5. Criminal route (counterfeiting) | Up to S$100,000 fine, up to 5 years' imprisonment, requires fraudulent intent |
6. Border seizure | Written notice to Singapore Customs, valid for 60 days, renewable |
Combat Trademark Infringement with Mezzanine Enterprise
At Mezzanine Enterprise, our expert team of trademark agents stands ready to resolve your trademark infringement issues. We work closely with litigation counsel to handle cease-and-desist letters and civil infringement claims.
Talk to us now to counter trademark infringement on your brand.
21 Sept 2026
Someone's Copying Your Brand and Infringing Your Trademark in Singapore. Here's What to Do.
Celeste Cordeiro
Last Updated:
12 Oct 2026
Registering your trademark to protect your brand in Singapore is just the start. But what if an impostor comes along and attempts to copy your brand? Use our guide for your next steps on what to do.
