How to register your copyright with IPOS
Your SceneOne certificate timestamps your work and establishes proof of creation. For stronger legal protection, you can voluntarily notify IPOS — Singapore's Intellectual Property Office. This guide walks you through it step by step.
Note: SceneOne is a technology platform, not a law firm. This page is educational guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific legal matters, consult a qualified IP lawyer.
Determine what you want to protect
Copyright in Singapore protects original literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works automatically upon creation. This includes screenplays, novels, scripts, storyboards, and song lyrics. You do not need to register to have copyright — but registration creates a public record and strengthens your position in disputes.
Your SceneOne IP certificate already timestamps your work. Keep it — it is your first line of evidence.
Visit the IPOS website
Go to ipos.gov.sg and navigate to 'Copyright'. IPOS provides a voluntary notification service through the Copyright Registration System (CRS). This is not mandatory but creates an official government-backed record of your claim.
Visit ipos.gov.sgPrepare your documents
You will need: a copy of your work (PDF preferred), your full legal name as it appears on your NRIC or passport, the date of creation, a brief description of the work, and your contact details. For screenplays, include the title page.
File the notification
Log into the IPOS CRS portal with your Singpass. Complete the online form. Upload your work as a PDF. Pay the filing fee (approximately SGD 85–150 depending on the category). You will receive an official acknowledgement number.
Keep your acknowledgement number alongside your SceneOne certificate. Together they form a strong evidentiary record.
International protection (optional)
If you intend to sell or distribute your work internationally, consider filing under the Berne Convention — Singapore is a signatory, which means your copyright is automatically recognised in over 170 countries. For formal registration in other jurisdictions (e.g., the US Copyright Office), consult an IP lawyer.
US Copyright OfficeGet legal advice if needed
IPOS runs free IP clinics for creators. Law Society Pro Bono Services also offers consultations. For complex matters (option agreements, co-writing deals), always engage a qualified IP lawyer.
IPOS IP ClinicsReady to protect your work?
Upload your work to SceneOne to receive your free IP timestamp certificate first.
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