Country guides

What it actually takes to file in each jurisdiction — who can apply, what documents are needed, how long examination runs, and what it costs.

United States

USPTO

The USPTO is a use-based system: rights flow from actual commercial use, and examination is strict on specimens, descriptions of goods and the identity of the applicant.

Trade mark timeline: 10–16 months
Trade mark, all-in: $599
Opposition: 30 days from publication
Local agent: Required

Canada

CIPO

CIPO no longer requires a declaration of use at filing, but examination is slow and Nice-class-specific fees make class selection a real cost decision.

Trade mark timeline: 20–30 months
Trade mark, all-in: $596
Opposition: 2 months from advertisement
Local agent: Not required

Australia

IP Australia

IP Australia is one of the fastest and most predictable offices in the world, with an optional pre-filing headstart assessment and no attorney requirement for the applicant.

Trade mark timeline: 7–12 months
Trade mark, all-in: $479
Opposition: 2 months from advertisement of acceptance
Local agent: Not required

India

IP India (CGPDTM)

India is first-to-file with an unusually low official fee for startups and small entities, but the process is document-heavy and hearings are common.

Trade mark timeline: 8–18 months
Trade mark, all-in: $154
Opposition: 4 months from publication in the Trade Marks Journal
Local agent: Required

United Arab Emirates

UAE Ministry of Economy

The UAE has high official fees and a mandatory publication step, but a clean, comparatively quick examination once the paperwork is legalised.

Trade mark timeline: 9–14 months
Trade mark, all-in: $1,850
Opposition: 30 days from the date of publication
Local agent: Required

European Union

EUIPO

A single EUIPO trade mark or registered design gives protection across all 27 EU member states, but opposition is multi-lingual and the classification rules are strict.

Trade mark timeline: 8–12 months
Trade mark, all-in: $1,219
Opposition: 3 months from publication
Local agent: Not required

Singapore

IPOS

Singapore is a first-to-file, English-language common-law hub with fast examination and strong enforcement; many businesses use it as the ASEAN entry point for brand protection.

Trade mark timeline: 6–9 months
Trade mark, all-in: $374
Opposition: 2 months from publication
Local agent: Required

United Kingdom

UKIPO

Since Brexit, an EU trade mark no longer covers the UK: Great Britain and Northern Ireland require a separate UKIPO filing. The UK is first-to-file, English-language, and one of the fastest major registries.

Trade mark timeline: 4–6 months
Trade mark, all-in: $449
Opposition: 2 months from publication
Local agent: Not required