A number can absolutely be trademarked in Nepal — but only if it functions as a source identifier, not as a measurement, model code or grade. The Department of Industry (DoI) registers numerals under the Patent, Design and Trade Mark Act 1965 (PDTA) using the same rules it applies to words and logos: the number must be distinctive and must not describe the goods themselves.
Key Takeaways
- Numbers, including digits, spelled-out numerals and alphanumeric strings, are registrable as trademarks in Nepal under the PDTA.
- The DoI will refuse a number that is descriptive (like a size, quantity or model number) or lacks distinctiveness.
- Acquired distinctiveness through long use in Nepal can turn a non-distinctive number into a registrable mark.
- Registration follows the standard trademark process: filing, examination, publication in the Industrial Property Bulletin, a 90-day opposition window, and certificate issuance.
- A registered number enjoys the same 7-year renewable term and nationwide protection as any word or logo mark.
- Nepal is first-to-file — the first valid application wins, regardless of who first used the number in commerce.
- Each number mark must be filed in one NICE class per application; a number used across multiple classes requires separate filings.
What does the law say about registering a number as a trademark?
The PDTA defines a trademark as any "word, symbol, or picture or a combination thereof" used to distinguish goods or services. A number — whether written as digits, spelled out in Nepali or English, or combined with letters — qualifies as a symbol under Sec. 2(c). The DoI applies the same registrability test it uses for every mark under Sec. 18: the number cannot hurt anyone's reputation, go against public morality, damage another's goodwill, or be already registered in someone else's name.
When will the DoI refuse a number trademark?
The single biggest reason the Department of Industry rejects a number mark is that it describes the product rather than identifies its source. If your number is a size, a capacity, a model reference, a price point or a grade, the examiner will likely find it lacks distinctiveness. A clothing brand trying to register "42" for trousers will face an objection — 42 is a size, not a brand identifier. The same logic applies to "5L" for a water container or "2026" for a vintage product. The DoI also refuses numbers that are common in the trade or needed for competitors to describe their own goods.
How can a number become distinctive enough to register?
A number acquires distinctiveness when Nepali consumers have come to see it as a brand, not as product information. This typically requires sustained use in the Nepal market over several years, with evidence like sales figures, advertising spend, packaging samples and media coverage. A well-known example globally is the perfume "No. 5" — the number means nothing about the fragrance itself; it's purely a brand signifier. In Nepal, if you've sold "K2" energy drinks for years and the public associates that numeral with your company alone, the DoI may accept it even if a competitor claims it's merely a model code. Our team can help you assess whether your number has enough market recognition — reach out through the contact page for a consultation.
Which NICE classes apply to a number trademark?
The class depends entirely on what your number-branded product or service is, not on the fact it's a number. The NICE Classification divides goods into Classes 1–34 and services into Classes 35–45. A number used on a beverage bottle goes into Class 32; the same number for a restaurant chain goes into Class 43; and for a retail shop into Class 35. Nepal requires one application per class, so a number mark spanning beverages and clothing needs two separate filings. Use our NICE Class Finder to identify the right class for your goods or services.
How do you register a number trademark in Nepal?
The process for a number mark is identical to any other trademark filing in Nepal. You follow the same steps, submit the same forms, and face the same examination under the PDTA. Here is the ordered sequence:
- Search the trademark database. Before you invest in branding, check whether a conflicting number mark already exists in your class. Our trademark database search lets you look up existing registrations by number, name or class.
- Identify the correct NICE class. Determine whether your number-branded product falls under Classes 1–34 (goods) or 35–45 (services). File one application per class — a single application covering multiple classes is not possible in Nepal under Sec. 18A(2) of the PDTA.
- Prepare and file the application. Complete the Schedule 1(c) form and submit four specimens of the number mark exactly as it will appear on your goods or packaging. The specimen must show the number in its branded form — stylised, coloured or in a particular font — not as plain text in a standard typeface.
- DoI examination. The examiner reviews the number for distinctiveness and checks for conflicts with earlier marks. If the examiner objects, you'll get a chance to argue that the number has acquired distinctiveness through use in the Nepal market.
- Publication in the Industrial Property Bulletin. Once the DoI accepts the number mark, it is published for public inspection under Sec. 21A.
- 90-day opposition window. Any third party who believes your number mark damages their existing rights can file an opposition at the DoI Law Division within 90 days of publication.
- Certificate issuance. If no opposition is filed — or if you successfully defend against one — the DoI issues the registration certificate. The number trademark is now protected for 7 years.
For a detailed walkthrough of the filing procedure, see our guide on how to register a trademark in Nepal.
What documents does a numeric trademark application need?
The document requirements for a number mark are no different from those for any other trademark. A domestic Nepali applicant must submit the application form, a notarised Power of Attorney signed and witnessed by two people, a board resolution of the company (if a company is filing), four clear labels or specimens of the number as used, the company's industry registration certificate, and a current tax clearance letter. Foreign applicants must add a notarised copy of their home registration certificate in English and must file through a Nepal-based agent. All documents must be in Nepali or accompanied by a notarised translation.
How long does it take to trademark a number in Nepal?
Registering a number trademark in Nepal typically takes 12 to 14 months from filing to certificate, assuming no opposition is filed. In favourable cases — where the number is clearly distinctive, the class is correctly chosen, and the examiner raises no objections — the process can conclude in around 6 to 8 months. If the number's distinctiveness is challenged, or if a third party opposes, the timeline extends considerably. For a fuller breakdown of the stages and what slows things down, see our article on how long trademark registration takes in Nepal.
What factors drive the cost of registering a number trademark?
The total cost to trademark a number in Nepal is shaped by three main components. First, government fees are charged per class — each application carries a filing fee and a separate registration fee payable upon acceptance. Second, professional service fees cover the search, application drafting, examination responses and certificate handling; a number mark that needs distinctiveness arguments will require more legal work than a straightforward word mark. Third, if your number is used across multiple classes, you pay for each class separately. Use our trademark fee calculator to get an estimate based on your specific class count, or reach us through the contact page for a tailored quote.
What are the most common mistakes when trying to trademark a number?
A mistake we see repeatedly is filing a plain Arabic numeral like "7" or "12" without any stylisation, then being surprised when the DoI objects. A common number in a standard font rarely qualifies as distinctive on its own. Another frequent error is filing in the wrong class — registering a number for a beverage in Class 32 when the actual business is a café chain in Class 43 leaves the mark unprotected where it matters. Businesses also forget that Nepal is a first-to-file jurisdiction: waiting to build market recognition before filing means someone else can register the same number first and lock you out. Finally, many applicants assume a company registration at the Office of the Company Registrar protects the number as a brand — it does not. Only a DoI registration certificate gives you exclusive trademark rights under the PDTA.
A realistic Nepal example: "K2" for an energy drink
Imagine a Pokhara-based beverage company launching an energy drink called "K2." The company files a trademark application for the alphanumeric mark "K2" in Class 32 under the NICE Classification. The DoI examiner initially questions whether "K2" is a vitamin or ingredient code, but the company demonstrates that the mark has been used continuously on packaging sold across Gandaki Province for three years, with billboard advertising and retailer invoices all showing "K2" as the product name. The examiner accepts the distinctiveness argument. The mark is published in the Industrial Property Bulletin, no opposition is filed within the 90-day window, and the company receives its registration certificate. It now has exclusive rights to "K2" for beverages in Nepal for seven years, renewable indefinitely.
Alternatives if your number cannot be registered
If the DoI refuses your number as descriptive, you have several options. First, stylise it — a distinctive typeface, colour arrangement or graphic presentation can turn a weak numeral into a registrable composite mark. Second, combine the number with a distinctive word element; "7" alone may fail, but "7Summit" or "7 Peaks" could succeed. Third, build acquired distinctiveness by using the number extensively in commerce, then re-file with market evidence. Fourth, consider relying on passing-off protection under Nepal's common-law principles — while registration is far stronger, a business with substantial goodwill in a number can sometimes prevent another party from using it deceptively. For help evaluating these strategies, our team at trademark registration services can guide you.
| Factor | Number that registers | Number that gets refused |
|---|---|---|
| Relationship to product | Arbitrary — "77" for tea has no meaning for the product | Descriptive — "250ml" for a juice bottle |
| Distinctiveness | Stylised digits in a unique font or colour | Plain numbers in a standard typeface |
| Market perception | Consumers see it as a brand name | Consumers see it as product information |
| Competitor need | No other business needs this number to describe their goods | Competitors need the number to describe size, grade or quantity |
| Evidence of use | Long, continuous use in Nepal with advertising spend | No commercial use or very recent adoption |
In short, a number can be a powerful and memorable trademark in Nepal — but only if you treat it as a brand from day one. File early in the correct NICE class, make sure the number is presented distinctively, and be ready to prove that Nepali consumers associate it with your business, not with the product itself. A search before you file is the single most valuable step you can take.
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Ready to protect your number brand? Start with a trademark database search to see if your mark is available, or get in touch with our team for expert advice on filing and distinctiveness strategy. If you already know your class, our fee calculator gives you a clear estimate before you commit.
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