Trademark Registration in Nepal
Why register a trademark in Nepal?
Nepal follows a first-to-file system under the Patent, Design and Trademark Act 2022 (1965): rights belong to whoever registers first, not whoever used the name first. An unregistered brand — however established — can be registered by a competitor, who can then legally stop you from using your own name.
Registration with the Department of Industry (DOI) gives you the exclusive right to use the mark for the registered goods or services, the legal standing to act against copycats, and an asset you can license, franchise, or sell. For businesses selling under a name, logo, or label, it is the cheapest insurance the law offers.
What we handle
- Trademark search — checking DOI records for identical or confusingly similar marks before you file
- Classification advice — choosing the right classes of goods/services under the Nice Classification
- Application drafting and filing with the Department of Industry
- Responding to DOI examination queries and objections
- Monitoring publication and handling third-party oppositions
- Registration certificate collection, and renewals when they fall due
- Assignment (transfer) and licensing of registered marks
- Foreign trademark registration in Nepal for international brands, based on home registration
The registration process
- 01Search — we search existing registrations and pending applications, and give a frank opinion on registrability.
- 02Filing — application submitted to DOI with the mark, owner details, class, and prescribed fee.
- 03Examination — DOI examines the mark for conflicts and registrability; we respond to any queries or objections.
- 04Publication — accepted marks are published in the Industrial Property Bulletin, opening a window for third-party opposition.
- 05Registration — if unopposed (or opposition is defeated), the certificate is issued and the mark is protected.
Timeline, validity, and renewals
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Typical registration timeline | Around 9–18 months from filing, depending on examination and opposition |
| Validity | 7 years from registration, renewable indefinitely for successive 7-year terms |
| Renewal window | Apply before expiry; late renewal attracts additional fees and risk of lapse |
| Foreign marks | Registrable in Nepal with a home-country registration certificate; protection in Nepal requires Nepali registration |
Documents needed to file
- The mark itself — wordmark text and/or logo artwork
- Applicant details — citizenship/company registration certificate and PAN
- List of goods or services the mark covers (we map these to the correct classes)
- For foreign applicants: home registration certificate and authorization/power of attorney
Brand protection for growing businesses
We register marks for manufacturers, trading houses, hotels, schools, and startups across Nepal from our base in Butwal. Trademark work pairs naturally with company registration — most clients file their mark at the same time as incorporating, locking the brand before it appears on a single signboard. If someone is already imitating your mark, we advise on opposition, cancellation, and enforcement options under the Act.
Frequently asked questions
How long does trademark registration take in Nepal?
From filing to certificate typically takes around 9–18 months, driven by DOI's examination queue and the publication/opposition window. Your protection strategy shouldn't wait for the certificate — filing early secures your priority under the first-to-file rule.
How long is a Nepali trademark valid?
Seven years from the date of registration, renewable for further seven-year terms indefinitely. We track renewal dates for registered clients so marks never lapse by oversight.
Can I register a trademark that's already used by someone else abroad?
Nepal protects marks registered in Nepal. A foreign brand not registered here has limited protection, though well-known marks receive some safeguards. Conversely, international brands should register in Nepal promptly — we file foreign-owned applications based on home-country registrations regularly.
What can I do if someone copies my brand?
If your mark is registered, you can oppose their application, seek cancellation of a conflicting registration, and pursue enforcement against infringing use. If your mark is not yet registered, the first step is almost always to file immediately — then assert your rights. We advise on the sequence case by case.
Do I need separate registrations for my logo and my name?
A wordmark protects the name; a device mark protects the logo. Registering both gives the widest protection, but budgets often start with the element customers actually recognize. We advise on the order that protects the most for the least.
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