Local Trademark Registration Process in Nepal

A trademark refers to the recognizable sign, symbol, mark, word or words that denote or identify a specific product or a company and is legally registered. Patent, Design and Trademark Act, 2022 (1965) governs and regulates issues regarding the process of trademark registration in Nepal. Department of Industry (DOI) under the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies of the government of Nepal registers trademarks in Nepal.

Nepalese law that protects and enforces Trademark: Patent, Design and Trademark Act, 1965 (2022) (PDTA)

Registration Authority for local trademark: Department of Industries (DOI) under Nepal’s Government, Ministry of Industries

Foreign Trademark Protection: Registration under PDTA (Law) in the Department of Industries (DOI)

Foreign Trademark Registration in Nepal: Should already be registered in a foreign country

Step 1: Submission of an application to Department of Industries (DOI)

Submission of registration application along with company registration MOA, AOA, Certificate, PAN/VAT certificate, citizenship.

Step 2: Examination and verification of application and Documents by DOI:

Documents submitted along with the application of trademark registration is examined. evaluated by the registrar and shall be accepted or rejected by the authority of DOI

Step 3: Publication of trademark in Industrial Property Bulletin (IP Bulletin):

Trademark after investigation shall be published in IP Bulletin and invite public for complaint if there is any contradiction with other trademark or register any opposition complaint and petition is filed within 90 days of its publication in IP Bulletin.

Step 4:  Registration of Trademark:

If no one files opposition, DOI authority shall register trademark and certificate is issued and registered trademark shall have a validity of 7 years.

Chart that shows the Local Trademark Registration Process in Nepal:

• If such trademark damages the prestige of any person or institution.
• If such a trademark adversely affects public conduct or morality.
• If such a trademark undermines the national interest.
• If such trademark undermines the reputation of the trademark of any other person.
• If such a trademark is already registered in the name of another person.

The time required for registration of a trademark in Nepal is 6 to 9 months.

Registered Trademark shall remain valid for 7 years.

• Within 35 days from the date of expiry of the term
• Within 6 months by paying a fine of 1000/-.

If the trademark is not renewed, it shall be automatically cancelled.

Trademark registration of Nepal is based on the Nice Classification, 1958, which categorized good and services into 45 classes, i.e., 34 classes of goods and 11 classes of services.   Kindly note that a separate application and government fee have to be submitted for each trademark per class.

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