Can I Trademark a Slogan in Nepal?

Yes, you can trademark a slogan in Nepal if it’s distinctive and not already registered. The Department of Industry (DoI) examines slogans under the Patent, Design and Trademark Act 1965, typically taking 12–14 months from filing to registration when unopposed.

Key Takeaways

• Nepal allows slogans as trademarks if they’re distinctive and not generic or descriptive.
• The DoI examines slogans for conflicts with existing marks and publishes them in the Industrial Property Bulletin for 90-day opposition.
• Slogans are filed in NICE classes 35–45 (services) or 1–34 (goods), with one application per class.
• Registration lasts 7 years and is renewable indefinitely in 7-year terms.
• Foreign applicants must file through a Nepal-based agent with a Power of Attorney.

What counts as a trademarkable slogan in Nepal?

The Department of Industry (DoI) registers slogans as trademarks if they’re distinctive and not generic or purely descriptive. Sec. 2(c) of the Patent, Design and Trademark Act 1965 defines a trademark as a word, symbol, or combination that distinguishes your goods or services from others.

A slogan like “Fresh Every Day” for a bakery is likely too descriptive—it describes the product, not the brand. But “Bread Magic, Every Bite” is distinctive and could qualify. The DoI examines each slogan for originality and whether it’s already registered in the same NICE class.

Why trademark a slogan in Nepal?

Trademarking a slogan in Nepal gives you exclusive rights to use it in your industry for 7 years, renewable indefinitely. Sec. 16(1) of the Act grants ownership only upon registration, so without it, competitors can copy your slogan without legal consequences.

For example, if you run a café with the slogan “Where Every Cup Tells a Story,” registering it prevents other cafés in Nepal from using the same or a confusingly similar phrase. It also lets you take legal action against counterfeiters or businesses that dilute your brand’s identity.

Who can file to trademark a slogan?

Any business, individual, or foreign entity can file to trademark a slogan in Nepal, but foreign applicants must use a Nepal-based agent. Sec. 21B of the Act requires foreign applicants to appoint a local representative with a Power of Attorney to file on their behalf.

If you’re a Nepali business, you can file directly or through an agent. If you’re based outside Nepal—say, a foreign coffee chain expanding into Kathmandu—you’ll need a local agent to handle the application and communicate with the DoI.

Which NICE classes apply to slogans?

Slogans are filed in NICE classes 1–45, with one application per class. The Department of Industry uses the NICE Classification system, where classes 1–34 cover goods and 35–45 cover services. A slogan for a restaurant would typically file in Class 43 (food services), while a slogan for a clothing brand would file in Class 25 (clothing).

Use the NICE Class Finder to identify the right class for your slogan. If your slogan spans multiple classes—like a clothing brand that also sells coffee mugs—you’ll need separate applications for each class.

How do you register a slogan as a trademark in Nepal?

To register a slogan in Nepal, follow these five steps with the Department of Industry. The process takes 12–14 months when unopposed, or 6–8 months in the smoothest cases.

1. Conduct a trademark search. Use the Trademark Conflict Checker to see if your slogan is already registered in your NICE class. The DoI examines marks for similarity, so a search helps avoid objections.
2. Prepare your application. Fill out the DoI’s Schedule 1(c) form and include four specimens of your slogan (e.g., printed on business cards or packaging). Foreign applicants must also submit a notarised Power of Attorney and a board resolution.
3. File with the DoI. Submit your application to the Department of Industry’s Foreign Investment & Technology Transfer Section. You’ll receive an acknowledgment with your application number.
4. Respond to examination. The DoI examines your slogan for distinctiveness and conflicts. If they raise an objection, you’ll have a chance to respond and defend your application.
5. Publication and opposition. If approved, your slogan is published in the Industrial Property Bulletin for a 90-day opposition period. If no one objects, you pay the registration fee and receive your certificate.

What documents do you need to trademark a slogan?

To trademark a slogan in Nepal, you’ll need these documents, depending on whether you’re a domestic or foreign applicant. The Department of Industry requires all documents to be in Nepali or accompanied by a notarised translation.

A common mistake is submitting specimens that don’t clearly show the slogan in use. For example, if your slogan is “Taste the Difference,” include it on a menu, packaging, or advertisement—not just as plain text on a document.

How long does it take to trademark a slogan in Nepal?

Trademarking a slogan in Nepal typically takes 12–14 months from filing to registration when unopposed. The Department of Industry’s examination phase takes 4–6 months, followed by a 90-day opposition period in the Industrial Property Bulletin.

In the smoothest cases—where the DoI raises no objections and no third party opposes—registration can take as little as 6–8 months. However, this is rare. If the DoI objects or someone files an opposition, the process can extend to 18–24 months or longer.

What are the cost factors for trademarking a slogan?

The cost to trademark a slogan in Nepal depends on government fees and professional service fees. Government fees are charged per class, so a slogan spanning multiple NICE classes will cost more. Foreign applicants also pay higher fees and must hire a local agent, which adds to the total.

Use the Trademark Fee Calculator to estimate your total cost. Factors that drive the price include:

• The number of NICE classes you file in (one application per class).
• Whether you’re a domestic or foreign applicant (foreign fees are higher).
• Professional fees for drafting, filing, and responding to objections.
• Translation and notarisation costs for foreign documents.

What’s the legal basis for trademarking a slogan in Nepal?

The legal basis for trademarking a slogan in Nepal is the Patent, Design and Trademark Act 1965. Sec. 2(c) defines a trademark as a word, symbol, or combination used to distinguish goods or services, while Sec. 18 outlines the registration process. The Act follows a first-to-file system, meaning rights go to the first valid applicant, not the first user.

Nepal is also a signatory to the Paris Convention and TRIPS Agreement, which provide additional protections for foreign applicants. However, Nepal is not part of the Madrid System, so foreign applicants must file directly through a local agent.

What are common mistakes when trademarking a slogan?

Common mistakes when trademarking a slogan in Nepal can delay or derail your application. Here are the most frequent errors and how to avoid them:

• Choosing a descriptive slogan. The DoI rejects slogans that describe the goods or services (e.g., “Best Coffee in Town” for a café). Instead, pick something distinctive like “Brewed with Love, Served with Pride.”
• Filing in the wrong NICE class. A slogan for a clothing brand won’t protect your restaurant services. Use the NICE Class Finder to pick the right class.
• Skipping the trademark search. Failing to check for conflicts can lead to objections or oppositions. Always search before filing.
• Submitting poor specimens. The DoI needs to see your slogan in use. Include it on packaging, ads, or menus—not just as plain text.
• Missing deadlines. The 90-day opposition period is strict. If someone opposes, respond promptly to avoid losing your application.

A realistic example of trademarking a slogan in Nepal

Imagine you run a Kathmandu-based organic skincare brand called “Pure Glow.” Your slogan is “Nature’s Secret, Your Radiance.” Here’s how you’d trademark it:

1. You search the Trademark Conflict Checker and find no identical slogans in NICE Class 3 (cosmetics).
2. You file an application with the DoI, including four specimens of the slogan on product labels and ads.
3. The DoI examines your application and approves it after 5 months.
4. Your slogan is published in the Industrial Property Bulletin for 90 days. No one opposes.
5. You pay the registration fee and receive your certificate 12 months after filing.

Now, “Nature’s Secret, Your Radiance” is protected in Nepal, and competitors can’t use it for their skincare products.

What are the alternatives if your slogan isn’t trademarkable?

If your slogan isn’t distinctive enough for trademark registration, you still have options to protect it. While these don’t grant exclusive rights like a trademark, they can help establish your brand’s identity and deter copycats.

• Copyright. In Nepal, slogans can sometimes be protected under copyright law as literary works. While registration isn’t mandatory, it strengthens your case in disputes. File with the Nepal Copyright Registrar’s Office under the Copyright Act 2059 BS (2002).
• Passing off. If your slogan is widely recognised but not registered, you can sue for passing off under common law. This requires proving that the slogan has acquired goodwill and that another business’s use is misleading consumers. The Patent, Design and Trademark Act 1965 doesn’t explicitly cover passing off, but Nepal’s courts recognise it as a remedy (see *Nepal Kanoon Patrika* case NKP 2068/070-71, src 8).
• Business name registration. Register your slogan as part of your business name with the Office of the Company Registrar (OCR). While this doesn’t protect the slogan as a trademark, it prevents others from registering an identical or confusingly similar business name in Nepal.
• Domain name registration. Secure the .np domain that matches your slogan (e.g., naturessecret.np). This doesn’t grant trademark rights, but it can help establish your online presence and deter cybersquatters.

In short

• You can trademark a slogan in Nepal if it’s distinctive and not already registered.
• The Department of Industry examines slogans under the Patent, Design and Trademark Act 1965, with a 12–14 month timeline when unopposed.
• Slogans are filed in NICE classes 1–45, with one application per class.
• Foreign applicants must file through a Nepal-based agent with a Power of Attorney.
• Registration lasts 7 years and is renewable indefinitely in 7-year terms.
• Common mistakes include choosing descriptive slogans, filing in the wrong class, and skipping the trademark search.
• If your slogan isn’t trademarkable, consider copyright, passing off, business name registration, or domain protection.

People also search for

• How to register a trademark in Nepal step by step
• How to choose the right trademark class in Nepal
• Documents required for trademark registration in Nepal
• How long does trademark registration take in Nepal?
• How does the trademark opposition process work in Nepal?
• What are the trademark renewal rules in Nepal?
• Trademark vs. copyright in Nepal: what’s the difference?
• What is NICE classification? Trademark classes explained

Ready to trademark your slogan in Nepal? Start with a trademark search to check for conflicts, or contact us for help filing your application. For a full cost estimate, use the Trademark Fee Calculator.