The DoI filing process in Nepal involves submitting a trademark application at the Department of Industry, either through its physical counters in Tripureshwor, Kathmandu, or by using the limited online services available on doind.gov.np — all governed by the Patent, Design and Trade Mark Act 1965.
Key Takeaways
- The Department of Industry (DoI) is Nepal's sole trademark registrar and a quasi-judicial body for IP disputes.
- Nepal operates a first-to-file system — the first valid application wins, not the first user of the mark.
- Filing is largely an in-person process; online services are limited to basic information and form downloads.
- Foreign applicants must file through a Nepal-based agent with a notarised Power of Attorney.
- The DoI's physical counters handle application intake, fee payment, and certificate collection.
- One application covers one NICE class only — multi-class brands need multiple filings.
- The full process from filing to certificate typically takes 12–14 months when unopposed.
What is the DoI and what role does it play in trademark filing?
The Department of Industry (DoI), operating from Tripureshwor in Kathmandu under the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, is Nepal's sole trademark registry. Beyond registration, it acts as a quasi-judicial body — its Law Division conducts hearings and issues rulings that carry the weight of a District Court. If you want a registered trademark in Nepal, the DoI is where your application begins and ends.
What online services does the DoI actually offer for trademark filing?
The DoI's website at doind.gov.np provides information, downloadable forms, and some lookup functionality, but Nepal does not yet offer a fully end-to-end online trademark filing system. You can download the Schedule 1(c) application form, check published bulletins, and find basic procedural guidance. The actual submission — handing over the completed form, specimens, and fees — still happens at the physical counter. Our team can help you prepare and file correctly; reach out through our contact page.
How do you file a trademark application at the DoI counters?
Filing at the DoI is a structured, sequential process. Here are the steps you follow when you walk into the Department of Industry in Tripureshwor.
- Conduct a pre-filing search. Before you draft anything, run a trademark search to check for identical or confusingly similar marks already on the register. Use our trademark database search to scan existing registrations.
- Identify your NICE class. Nepal uses the 45-class NICE Classification. One application protects one class only. If your brand spans food products (Class 30) and restaurant services (Class 43), you file two separate applications. Our NICE class finder helps you pick correctly.
- Complete the Schedule 1(c) application form. Download it from doind.gov.np or collect it at the counter. Fill in applicant details, the mark description, and the class number.
- Attach four specimens of the mark. Print clear representations of your logo, wordmark, or label — four copies go with the form.
- Submit at the DoI counter and pay the application fee. Hand over the form, specimens, and supporting documents. Pay the government application fee at the designated counter and keep the receipt.
- Receive your acknowledgment and application number. The DoI stamps your copy and assigns a filing number — this is your proof of priority in Nepal's first-to-file system.
- Respond to any examination queries. The DoI examiner may raise objections on distinctiveness or conflict grounds. You get an opportunity to defend the application, and the DoI conducts an inquiry before deciding.
- Publication in the Industrial Property Bulletin. If the examiner is satisfied, your mark is published. A 90-day opposition window opens — any third party can challenge the registration.
- Pay the registration fee and collect your certificate. If no opposition is filed (or if any opposition is resolved in your favour), pay the registration fee. The DoI then issues your Schedule 2(c) registration certificate.
What documents do you need for the DoI filing process?
| Document | Domestic applicant | Foreign applicant |
|---|---|---|
| Schedule 1(c) application form | Required | Required |
| Four specimens of the mark | Required | Required |
| Notarised Power of Attorney | Required (signed, sealed, two witnesses) | Required (signed, sealed, two witnesses) |
| Board resolution of the company | Required | Required |
| Certificate of industry | Required | — |
| Latest tax clearance letter | Required | — |
| Notarised copy of home registration certificate (English) | — | Required |
| Priority document (if claiming convention priority) | Optional | Optional |
How long does the DoI filing process take from start to finish?
Plan for 12–14 months as a realistic baseline when the application faces no opposition. In the smoothest straightforward cases — a clean search, no examiner objections, and no third-party opposition — you might receive the certificate in about 6–8 months. Delays at the examination stage or a contested opposition can stretch the timeline considerably. The registration is valid for 7 years from the date of registration and is renewable indefinitely for further 7-year terms.
What costs are involved in filing at the DoI?
The total cost has two components: the government fees payable at the DoI counter, and the professional fees if you use an agent. Government fees follow a per-class structure — one application fee when you file, and a separate registration fee when the certificate is issued. Foreign applicants pay higher government rates. Renewal, assignment, amendment, and duplicate-certificate fees each have their own government rate. Because fee amounts change periodically, we keep a current fee calculator on the site — use our trademark fee calculator to get the exact figure for your situation, or contact us for a tailored quote.
What are the most common mistakes in the DoI filing process?
A mistake we see often is filing without a proper pre-filing search — applicants submit a mark identical to an existing registration and lose both the fee and the time. Another is getting the NICE class wrong: a café that files only for coffee beans (Class 30) but not restaurant services (Class 43) leaves its core business unprotected. Missing documents — especially the notarised Power of Attorney without two witnesses, or a foreign applicant forgetting the home registration certificate — are avoidable delays. And some applicants assume Nepal is in the Madrid System and try to file an international application designating Nepal; Nepal is not a Madrid member, so that route simply does not work.
Can a foreign business file directly at the DoI?
No. Foreign applicants cannot walk up to the DoI counter and file on their own. You must appoint a Nepal-based agent or representative and provide a notarised Power of Attorney signed by the applicant, sealed, and attested by two witnesses. You also need a notarised copy of your home-country trademark registration certificate, translated into English if it is in another language. Nepal is not a member of the Madrid System, so there is no international-filing shortcut — every foreign application arrives at the DoI through a local agent, with full documentation.
What happens after the DoI issues the registration certificate?
Your trademark is registered for 7 years. But registration is not the end of your responsibility — the Act requires you to put the mark into use within one year, or the DoI may cancel it. Renewal must be filed within 35 days of the expiry date; a late renewal is possible within six months on payment of a penalty, after which the registration is automatically cancelled. We keep track of these deadlines for our clients — if you need renewal help, visit our trademark renewal service page or use the renewal calculator to check your dates.
A realistic example: filing a restaurant brand at the DoI
Imagine you run a popular momo chain in Kathmandu called "Himalayan Steam." You want to protect the name, the logo, and the tagline. First, our team runs a trademark search and finds no conflicting marks for "Himalayan Steam." You file one application for the restaurant name and logo in Class 43 (restaurant and café services). You also file a second application for your branded bottled chutney in Class 30 (sauces and condiments). Both applications go to the DoI counter with four specimens each, the notarised Power of Attorney, your board resolution, and the tax clearance letter. Twelve months later, assuming no opposition, you hold two registration certificates — one for the dining service, one for the packaged product. That is how the one-class-per-application rule works in practice.
In short, the DoI filing process is physical-counter-driven, sequential, and strict about documentation — but entirely manageable when you know the steps. Start with a search, pick the right class, file carefully, and stay on top of your renewal deadlines.
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Ready to start your DoI filing? Search existing marks first to check for conflicts — it is the single most important step before you file. When you are ready to submit, our team can handle the entire DoI filing process for you, from document preparation to counter submission and follow-up with the Department of Industry.
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