Trademark Registration in Nepal: A Complete Guide for Your Brand Name or Logo

What Is a Trademark — and Why Register It in Nepal?

A trademark is any sign that distinguishes your goods or services from everyone else's — typically a brand name, logo, slogan, or symbol. Registering it gives you the exclusive legal right to use that mark for the goods or services you've claimed, and the power to stop competitors from copying it.

Here's the single most important thing to understand: Nepal is a strict "first-to-file" country. Under Section 16 of the Patent, Design and Trade Mark Act, 1965, legal ownership of a mark is created only by registration — not by how long you've used it. Whoever files first generally wins. That means even a well-known local brand can lose its name to someone else who registers it first. If you're building a brand, register it early.

The Law and the Authority

Trademark registration in Nepal is governed by the Patent, Design and Trade Mark Act, 1965 (2022 BS) — an old but still fully operative law as of 2026. It has been amended over the years (notably in 1987 and 2006), but no replacement act has yet come into force.

The registering authority is the Department of Industry (DOI), under the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, based in Kathmandu. The DOI does it all: it examines applications, maintains the trademark register, publishes accepted marks, handles oppositions, issues registration certificates, and even acts as a quasi-judicial body for trademark disputes (its decisions can be appealed to the courts).

What You Can — and Can't — Register

You can register a word mark (a brand name written in plain text), a logo or device mark (a stylized design), or a combination of both. To be registrable, a mark generally must be distinctive and not conflict with marks already on the register. Common reasons the DOI refuses an application include:

• Identical or confusingly similar to a mark already registered (or already applied for) in the same class.
• Generic or purely descriptive terms — e.g. trying to trademark "Fresh Milk" for milk, or "Best Tea" for tea.
• Deceptive or misleading marks that misrepresent the nature, quality, or origin of the goods.
• National flags, emblems, or official symbols, and marks contrary to public order or morality.

This is why a trademark search before filing is so valuable — it tells you early whether your name is likely to clash with an existing mark, saving you the application fee and months of waiting.

How Much Does Trademark Registration Cost in Nepal?

The government charges fees in two stages, per class of goods or services. For Nepali (domestic) applicants:

Two things to remember about cost:

• Fees are per class. If your brand covers, say, both restaurant services (class 43) and packaged food (class 30), you file two applications and pay roughly twice. More on classes below.
• Foreign applicants pay roughly double — in the region of NPR 2,000 to file and NPR 10,000 to register per class.

Professional/agent fees are separate and on top of these government charges. For a single-class Nepali brand, the government cost is modest; the real value of using a professional is getting the search, classification, and drafting right the first time.

Understanding Classes: The Nice Classification

Nepal uses the international WIPO Nice Classification system, which sorts all goods and services into 45 classes:

• Classes 1–34 — goods (34 classes). For example, class 25 is clothing, class 30 is coffee/tea/bakery, class 3 is cosmetics.
• Classes 35–45 — services (11 classes). For example, class 35 is advertising/retail, class 43 is restaurant and hotel services, class 41 is education and entertainment.

Under Section 18A of the Act, you must file a separate application (and pay a separate fee) for each class your mark covers. Choosing the right class (or classes) is one of the trickiest parts of the process — register in too few and a competitor can use your name in an uncovered category; register in too many and you waste money. Pick the classes that match what you actually sell, plus where you realistically plan to expand.

Step-by-Step: The Registration Process

Step 1: Trademark Search

Before anything else, check whether your proposed name or logo is already taken in your class. A clearance search at the DOI register flags conflicts early. Skipping this is the most common reason applications get refused months later.

Step 2: Identify Your Class(es)

Map your products and services to the correct Nice class(es). This decides how many applications you file and how much you pay.

Step 3: File the Application at the DOI

Submit the application form to the Department of Industry with your mark (the wordmark or logo artwork), applicant details, the class, and a list of the goods/services. The filing step itself is usually completed in 2–3 working days once your documents are ready. You pay the NPR 1,000 per-class application fee at this stage.

Step 4: Examination by the DOI

The DOI examines the mark for distinctiveness and conflicts with earlier marks. If they raise objections, you (or your agent) respond. If the examiner is satisfied, the mark moves to publication.

Step 5: Publication and Opposition

Accepted marks are published in the Industrial Property Bulletin so that third parties can object if the mark clashes with their rights.

Step 6: Pay the Registration Fee and Get Your Certificate

Once approved, pay the NPR 5,000 per-class registration fee within 35 days of the approval notice. The DOI then enters the mark on the register and issues your Trademark Registration Certificate.

Documents You'll Need

• The mark itself — the exact wordmark, or a clear copy of the logo/device artwork.
• Applicant details — name and address of the individual or business that will own the mark.
• Business registration proof — firm/company registration certificate and PAN, where the applicant is a registered business.
• List of goods/services and the class(es) being claimed.
• Power of attorney / authorization — if you file through an agent (mandatory for foreign applicants, who must file through a local agent).

How Long Does It Take?

In a clean, unopposed case, expect roughly 12 to 15 months from filing to certificate. The breakdown looks like this:

If someone files an opposition, the timeline can stretch to 1–2 years. The lesson: file early, because protection only becomes enforceable once the mark is registered.

Validity and Renewal

Unlike many countries that grant 10-year terms, Nepal's term is shorter — so renewal dates come around faster. Mark your calendar.

Letting a mark lapse is one of the most expensive mistakes in Nepali trademark practice — once it's cancelled, anyone can apply for it, and you'd be back to square one in a first-to-file system.

Trademarks for Foreign Applicants

Foreign individuals and companies can register trademarks in Nepal, but with two main differences: they must file through a local agent (with a power of attorney), and they pay roughly double the government fees of domestic applicants. The same first-to-file principle applies — foreign brands entering Nepal should register before launching, since global fame alone doesn't guarantee protection under the current Act.

Reform on the Horizon: The Industrial Property Bill

The 1965 Act is widely considered outdated, and Nepal has drafted a new Industrial Property (Rights) Bill to replace it. The bill was sent to Cabinet in early 2025 and registered in Parliament around mid-2025. If enacted, it would:

• Align Nepal's regime with the Paris Convention and TRIPS.
• Create a dedicated Office of Industrial Property Rights to handle trademark and patent matters.
• Broaden protection to areas like geographical indications and trade secrets.
• Impose tougher anti-piracy penalties — proposed fines of NPR 300,000 to NPR 1 million, confiscation and destruction of infringing goods, and personal liability for company chiefs.

Quick Checklist

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to register a trademark in Nepal?

For Nepali applicants, the government fee is NPR 1,000 to file plus NPR 5,000 to register once approved — about NPR 6,000 per class. Fees are charged per class, so a mark covering three classes costs roughly three times as much. Foreign applicants pay roughly double (around NPR 2,000 application and NPR 10,000 registration). Professional fees, if you use an agent, are separate.

Which law governs trademarks in Nepal and who registers them?

The Patent, Design and Trade Mark Act, 1965 (2022 BS) — still the operative law in 2026. The registering authority is the Department of Industry (DOI) under the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies in Kathmandu, which examines applications, maintains the register, handles oppositions, and resolves disputes as a quasi-judicial body.

How long is a trademark valid in Nepal?

7 years from the date of registration, renewable indefinitely in 7-year terms. Renew within 35 days of expiry; miss that and you still have a 6-month grace period by paying an NPR 1,000 penalty. After the grace period, the mark is cancelled and you must re-register.

How long does trademark registration take in Nepal?

Roughly 12 to 15 months end to end in an unopposed case. The filing step itself takes 2–3 working days. An opposition can push the timeline to 1–2 years.

Is Nepal a first-to-file country for trademarks?

Yes. Nepal is a strict first-to-file jurisdiction — rights arise only on registration with the DOI, not from use. Whoever files first generally secures the mark, so registering your brand early is critical even if you've been using it for years.

Is registering my company name enough to protect my brand?

No. A company name reserved at the OCR (or a registered firm name) is a separate register from trademarks. To stop others from using your brand on goods or services, you need a trademark registered at the DOI. If you haven't formed the business yet, start with sole proprietorship registration or a private limited company, then trademark the brand.