Register the wordmark first. A wordmark protects the brand name itself — in any font, any colour, any layout — so it gives you the broadest legal shield under Nepal's Patent, Design and Trademark Act 1965. You can register the logo or icon later as a separate application when budget allows.
Key Takeaways
- A wordmark protects the brand name as plain text and stops others using that name in any visual style — it's the widest protection you can get from the Department of Industry.
- Nepal follows a first-to-file system; the first valid application wins, so filing the name early is urgent even if the logo isn't ready.
- Each mark type — word, logo, icon — needs its own application and its own government fee per NICE class; there is no single "brand" application.
- Filing the wordmark first saves money upfront and blocks competitors from registering a confusingly similar name while you finalise design work.
- The registration timeline is typically 12–14 months from filing to certificate, assuming no opposition.
- You can always add the logo as a second registration later and still claim the original wordmark's priority date for the brand name.
What is a wordmark and why does it matter in Nepal?
A wordmark is a trademark that protects the brand name as plain text — no stylisation, no colour, no graphic element. Under the Patent, Design and Trademark Act 1965, a "trade mark" is defined broadly as a word, symbol, picture or combination used to distinguish goods or services. Because a wordmark claims only the verbal element, it stops any other business from using that name in commerce, no matter how they dress it up visually. It is the single most enforceable form of brand registration you can file with the Department of Industry.
Why you should register the wordmark before the logo
Nepal is a first-to-file jurisdiction. The Department of Industry grants rights to whoever submits the first valid application — not to whoever used the mark first in the market. If you delay filing the brand name while perfecting a logo, a competitor can slip in and register the same or a confusingly similar wordmark, locking you out. Filing the wordmark first secures the name immediately. You can then take your time designing and registering the logo as a separate application, safe in the knowledge that the core brand identifier is already protected.
Wordmark, logo and icon — how Nepal treats each one
The Department of Industry treats a wordmark, a logo and a standalone icon as three distinct marks, each requiring its own application under the NICE Classification system. A wordmark application covers the text only. A logo application protects a specific visual design — that exact arrangement of colours, shapes and lettering. If you later tweak the logo, the registered version may no longer match what you actually use, weakening enforcement. An icon or device mark without text is the narrowest protection of all; it guards only that exact symbol, which is hard to enforce unless the mark is already famous. Most Nepal businesses should file the wordmark first, then the logo if the design is distinctive and stable.
Which NICE classes apply when you register a wordmark or logo?
The NICE Classification divides all goods and services into 45 classes — Classes 1–34 cover goods, Classes 35–45 cover services. In Nepal, one application covers one class only. If your business operates across several classes, you need a separate application for each. A restaurant, for example, might file the wordmark in Class 43 for restaurant services and also in Class 30 for packaged food products if it sells branded sauces or spices. Choosing the right classes at the start prevents expensive re-filings later. Our NICE class finder helps you identify which classes your goods or services fall under.
How to register a wordmark or logo in Nepal — step by step
Whether you file a wordmark, logo or icon, the process at the Department of Industry follows the same path. Here are the steps for each mark type.
- Run a trademark search. Before you invest in branding, check the DoI database for identical or confusingly similar existing marks. Our trademark search tool lets you scan Nepal's register directly. A wordmark search is straightforward; logo searches are harder because the DoI system works best with text queries.
- Choose your NICE class(es). Pick the class or classes that match your goods or services. Remember, one application per class. If you are unsure which classes apply, our team can help you through a consultation.
- Prepare the documents. You will need a completed application form, a notarised Power of Attorney, a board resolution (for companies), four specimens of the mark, and a certificate of industry or company registration. For a wordmark, the specimen is simply the name in clear text. For a logo, you submit the exact design.
- File the application with the Department of Industry. Submit the completed form along with the government fee. The DoI issues an acknowledgement with a filing number.
- Examination by the DoI. An examiner reviews the application for distinctiveness and checks for conflicts with prior registered marks. If there is an objection, you get a chance to respond.
- Publication in the Industrial Property Bulletin. Once the mark passes examination, the DoI publishes it. A 90-day opposition window opens — during this period any third party can object.
- Registration and certificate. If no opposition is filed or it is resolved in your favour, you pay the registration fee and receive the Schedule 2(c) registration certificate. The mark is now valid for seven years.
How long does it take to register a wordmark or logo?
The full registration process at the Department of Industry typically takes 12 to 14 months from filing to certificate, assuming no opposition is raised. In the smoothest straightforward cases it can be as quick as six to eight months, but that is the favourable end and not the norm. A wordmark often moves slightly faster than a logo because the examination is simpler — there are no design elements to assess for distinctiveness. Opposition during the 90-day publication window adds months or even years if litigation ensues. For a more detailed breakdown of the timeline, see how long trademark registration takes in Nepal.
What does it cost to register a wordmark vs a logo?
The cost of registering a trademark in Nepal has two components: the government fee payable to the Department of Industry, and the professional service fee for preparing and managing your application. Both are charged per mark, per class. Registering a wordmark and a logo in one class means two separate applications, each with its own government fee. The total also depends on how many NICE classes you need — a brand operating across three classes pays three times the per-class fees. Foreign applicants file through a local agent and the process includes additional notarisation requirements. For a current estimate, try the trademark fee calculator or reach out through our contact page.
A common mistake: registering the logo and thinking the name is protected
A mistake we see often: a business registers a logo — a stylised version of its brand name with graphics and colour — and assumes the name itself is now protected. It isn't, or not fully. A logo registration protects that exact visual composition. If a competitor uses the same brand name in a plain font, or in a different colour scheme and layout, enforcing your logo registration against them is an uphill battle. The wordmark, by contrast, protects the name as a verbal identifier in any visual presentation. If you can only afford one registration today, make it the wordmark. You can add the logo later as a separate trademark application.
When does it make sense to register the logo or icon first?
There is one scenario where leading with the logo is defensible: when the brand name itself is weak or descriptive and may struggle to meet the distinctiveness threshold during DoI examination, but the logo is highly distinctive. Even then, the smarter move is usually to file both together if budget allows, or to strengthen the wordmark with a distinctive coined name. A standalone icon or device mark without text is rarely worth registering alone in Nepal unless it has already achieved strong market recognition — think of a symbol like Nike's swoosh, which took decades and enormous marketing spend to become independently enforceable.
A real-world Nepal example: "Yatri Foods"
Imagine a Kathmandu-based startup called Yatri Foods that sells packaged momo chutney and also runs a small café. The founders have a name they love and a logo design in progress, but the designer needs another two months to finalise it. They search the name on the trademark database and find no conflicts. They file the wordmark "Yatri Foods" in Class 30 for the chutney and Class 43 for café services — two applications, two government fees. Six weeks later, a competitor files a logo for "Yatri Kitchen" in Class 43. Because Yatri Foods' wordmark application has priority, the DoI examiner cites it against the later filing, blocking the conflicting mark. Yatri Foods registers its own logo as a separate application once the design is ready, in its own time. The wordmark bought them the time and the legal shield they needed.
Can you use the ® symbol once the wordmark is registered?
Yes. Once the Department of Industry issues your registration certificate, you can legally use the ® symbol next to the registered wordmark, logo or icon in Nepal. The Patent, Design and Trademark Act prohibits using the ® symbol or claiming a mark is registered when it is not. For marks still pending, use the ™ symbol instead. Using ® before registration is complete can create legal exposure and may weaken your position if a dispute arises later.
What the law says — your rights under the PDTA 1965
The legal basis for trademark registration in Nepal rests in the Patent, Design and Trademark Act 1965, administered by the Department of Industry. Under Sec. 16, title to a trademark is acquired upon registration — not upon first use. Sec. 18 sets out the grounds on which the DoI can refuse a mark, including if it damages the goodwill of another's trademark or is already registered in another person's name. Sec. 18A establishes the classification system and the rule of one application per class. Sec. 21A covers publication in the Industrial Property Bulletin and the opposition mechanism. Nepal is a member of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and applies the NICE Classification, but it has not joined the Madrid System — so foreign applicants must file directly through a Nepal-based agent. The full statute is available through the Nepal Law Commission.
Protection scope — what a wordmark registration actually stops
A registered wordmark in Nepal gives you the exclusive right to use that name for the goods or services in your registered class. It lets you stop a competitor from using the same or a confusingly similar name on their signage, packaging, website, social media handles and advertisements — even if they render it in a completely different font or colour. It also gives you standing to file an opposition if someone tries to register a similar mark during the 90-day publication window. For disputes that go beyond the register — like a competitor using your name without ever filing an application — the DoI acts as a quasi-judicial body, and our team can help you with opposition and enforcement.
Documents you need for a wordmark or logo application
The document checklist is the same for a wordmark, logo or icon application in Nepal. You will need the completed application form, a notarised Power of Attorney signed by the applicant with two witnesses, a board resolution if the applicant is a company, a certificate of industry or company registration, a tax clearance letter, and four specimens of the mark. For a wordmark the specimen is simply the name in clear text. For a logo or icon, submit the exact design as you intend to use it. If you are claiming priority from an earlier foreign filing, you also need a notarised copy of that filing receipt in English. Foreign applicants must additionally provide a notarised copy of the home registration certificate. For the full document guide, see documents required for trademark registration in Nepal.
Renewal — keeping your wordmark and logo alive
A registered trademark in Nepal is valid for seven years from the date of registration and can be renewed indefinitely for further seven-year terms under Sec. 23B of the Act. Renewal must be filed within 35 days of the expiry date. There is a six-month grace period with a late fee, after which the registration is automatically cancelled. The renewal applies per mark — so if you registered both a wordmark and a logo, each has its own renewal deadline and its own fee. You can check upcoming deadlines with the renewal calculator.
In short: if you have the budget for only one trademark filing in Nepal, make it the wordmark. It protects the brand name itself, gives you the widest enforcement scope, and blocks competitors from registering a similar name while you finalise design work. Add the logo or icon as a separate registration later. Start with a clearance search, pick the right NICE classes, and file before anyone else does.
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>You register a clothing brand trademark by filing a single-class application with Nepal's Department of Industry (DoI) under the Patent, Design and Trademark Act 1965. The process typically takes 12 to 14 months, covers one NICE class per application, and gives you exclusive rights for seven years.
Key Takeaways
- Nepal follows a first-to-file system — whoever files a valid application first owns the mark, not whoever used it first in the market.
- Clothing brands almost always file under NICE Class 25, with Class 35 added if you run your own retail outlet.
- A single application covers only one class; a brand selling clothes, bags, and perfume needs at least three separate applications.
- Once registered, your mark is published in the Industrial Property Bulletin and anyone has 90 days to oppose it.
- A registered trademark is valid for 7 years and can be renewed indefinitely every seven years.
- The Department of Industry examines every application for distinctiveness and conflict with existing marks before publication.
- You cannot use the ® symbol in Nepal until the registration certificate is actually in your hand.
What counts as a trademark for a clothing brand?
A clothing brand trademark can be a word, a logo, a tagline, a label design, or a combination of these — anything that distinguishes your apparel from someone else's in the marketplace. The PDTA protects any mark capable of graphic representation. In practice, Nepali clothing businesses most often register their brand name as a wordmark, their logo as a separate device mark, or both combined in a single composite application. A wordmark protects the name regardless of font or styling. A logo registration protects the visual design. If your budget allows, filing both separately gives you the broadest protection, because each stands on its own.
Why should a clothing brand register its trademark in Nepal?
Without a registered mark, you have no legal right to stop a competitor from selling shirts under your brand name — even if you used it first. Nepal is a strict first-to-file country, so the person holding the registration certificate wins. Registration gives you the exclusive right to use the mark on clothing and related goods, lets you display the ® symbol, and creates an asset you can license or sell. It also becomes the foundation for stopping counterfeit goods, a serious headache in Nepal's streetwear and ethnic-wear markets. If you ever plan to expand beyond a single Thamel or New Road shop, registration is not optional — it's the thing that stops a copycat from locking you out of your own name.
Who can file a clothing brand trademark application?
Any individual, partnership, or company can file — whether the business is registered in Nepal or abroad. For a Nepali proprietor, you'll typically need your company registration certificate from the Office of the Company Registrar (OCR) if you're filing in the company's name. A sole proprietor can file in their personal name using their citizenship certificate. Foreign applicants cannot file directly and must appoint a Nepal-based agent or legal representative. IP Sewa's team can help you prepare and submit the application through our trademark registration services.
Which NICE class covers clothing brands?
Clothing, footwear, and headgear fall under NICE Class 25 — that is the class you must file to protect your apparel products. If you also manufacture and sell accessories like leather bags, those belong in Class 18. A brand running its own retail store or e-commerce site typically adds Class 35 for retail and advertising services. And if you later launch a perfume under the same brand, that goes into Class 3. Each class needs its own application and its own government fee. A common mistake we see is filing only Class 25 and then discovering two years later that someone else registered your brand name for bags in Class 18.
How do you register a clothing brand trademark in Nepal?
The registration process follows five sequential stages at the Department of Industry, and you can't skip a single one. Our team can handle the entire workflow on your behalf, but it's important you understand what happens at each stage.
- File the application. Submit Form-1 with your applicant details, a clear representation of the mark, and the list of goods — all in the correct NICE class. One class per application is the rule in Nepal.
- DoI examination. An examiner checks the mark for distinctiveness and searches for conflicting prior registrations or pending applications. If objections come up, you'll need to respond with a written submission, and our team can help prepare that response.
- Publication in the Industrial Property Bulletin. Once the examiner is satisfied, the mark is published. This opens a 90-day window where any interested party can file an opposition.
- Opposition period. If nobody opposes within 90 days, the mark moves forward. If someone does oppose, it turns into a contested proceeding that needs legal argument and evidence — a situation where you definitely want experienced help on your side.
- Registration and certificate. After the opposition window closes cleanly, the DoI issues the registration certificate. That certificate is your proof of ownership for the next seven years.
What documents do you need?
A complete application for a clothing brand needs a clear representation of the mark — a high-resolution image file for a logo, or a typed specimen for a wordmark. If the applicant is a Nepali company, attach a copy of the company registration certificate. A sole proprietor can submit a citizenship copy. A power of attorney is required when an agent files on your behalf. You'll also need to specify the exact list of goods you're claiming — for example, "readymade garments, shoes, and caps" in Class 25. Vague descriptions attract office objections, so be precise.
How long does registration take?
For an unopposed clothing brand trademark in Nepal, budget 12 to 14 months from filing to certificate. The smoothest cases — where the mark is clearly distinctive, no examination objection arises, and nobody opposes — can sometimes finish around 8 months, but that's the exception, not the norm. Delays usually happen at the examination stage if the DoI raises queries, or during publication if a third party decides to oppose. Renewal happens every seven years after that, and the renewal process is quicker than a fresh registration.
What does trademark registration cost?
The total cost has two components: the government fee payable to the Department of Industry per class, and the professional fee for preparing and handling the application. Because Nepal follows a strict single-class system, a brand filing under Class 25 plus Class 35 pays two government fees, not one. The complexity of the mark also matters — a simple wordmark is faster to prepare than a detailed logo, and responding to an examination objection adds work. For a current, specific figure based on your brand and the classes you need, check our Fee Calculator or reach out through our contact page and we'll give you a clear breakdown.
Legal basis: what the PDTA says about clothing trademarks
The Patent, Design and Trademark Act 1965, read together with Nepal's obligations under the Paris Convention and the TRIPS Agreement, governs all trademark rights in the country. Sec. 21 of the PDTA defines what functions as a trademark, while Sec. 21–24 outline the registration procedure and the rights it confers. Nepal's Industrial Property framework is administered entirely by the Department of Industry. The NICE Classification, managed by WIPO, determines which goods fall into which class — and Class 25 is the only class that covers clothing as goods. Because Nepal is not a member of the Madrid System, you cannot extend an international registration into Nepal; you must file a national application directly with the DoI, either yourself (if you're a Nepali national) or through a local agent.
Common mistakes clothing brands make with trademarks in Nepal
A few patterns come up again and again, and they're expensive to fix later. First, filing only a logo and forgetting the wordmark — then discovering someone else has registered your brand name in plain text. Second, picking a brand name that's descriptive, like "Soft Pashmina House," and getting a distinctiveness objection from the examiner. Third, filing under Class 25 alone when you're already selling bags and belts under the same label. Fourth, assuming that registering a company name at the OCR protects the brand — it doesn't. Company registration and trademark registration are completely separate legal processes in Nepal. Fifth, using the ® symbol before the certificate is issued, which is technically unlawful. And sixth, not running a proper trademark search before investing in signage, packaging, and inventory — only to find a confusingly similar mark already on the register.
A realistic example: "Yeti Stitch" streetwear
Imagine two friends launch a Kathmandu streetwear label called "Yeti Stitch" — hoodies, caps, and graphic tees. They register a private limited company at the OCR. Six months in, their hoodies are selling well at a Lakeside shop in Pokhara. They file a trademark application for the Yeti Stitch wordmark in Class 25 through an agent. The DoI examiner finds no prior conflicting mark and publishes it in the Industrial Property Bulletin. Nobody opposes within 90 days. The certificate arrives 13 months after filing. Now they own the name "Yeti Stitch" for clothing in Nepal. Later, when they launch a Yeti Stitch backpack, they file a second application in Class 18. Because they acted early, they avoided the scenario where another trader could have registered "Yeti Stitch" in Class 18 before they did and blocked their accessories line entirely.
What if someone opposes your clothing brand application?
During the 90-day publication window, any person who believes they'd be damaged by your registration can file an opposition with the DoI. The most common ground is a claim that your mark is confusingly similar to an earlier registered trademark. You'll receive a copy of the opposition and have a chance to file a counter-statement and evidence. The DoI then decides the matter based on the submissions. It's an adversarial process, and getting it right matters. If you find yourself facing an opposition, our team can help you assess the strength of the opponent's claim and prepare your response — start through our contact page.
Renewal and maintaining your clothing brand trademark
A registered trademark in Nepal is valid for seven years from the date of registration. You can renew it indefinitely for further seven-year periods. The renewal application should be filed before the expiry date, though a late renewal with a surcharge is possible within a grace period. If you miss the grace period, the mark is struck off the register and you lose your rights — someone else can then register it. It's a date worth putting in your calendar. Our team handles trademark renewals as part of our services, so you don't discover a lapsed registration the hard way.
Protecting a clothing brand without a registered trademark
If you haven't registered yet, your options are limited. Nepal has no statutory passing-off law codified in the PDTA, and relying on unregistered rights in a first-to-file system is risky. Your best move is to file as early as possible — ideally before you print your first hang-tag. If you're still developing your brand, you can at least run a clearance trademark search to check whether your chosen name is available. That doesn't give you rights, but it stops you from investing in a name that's already someone else's property. Once you are ready to file, our team can take it from there.
| Stage | What Happens | Typical Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Filing to examination | Application submitted, DoI assigns filing date and queues for review | 2–4 months |
| Examination | Examiner checks distinctiveness and conflicts; may issue queries | 2–5 months |
| Publication | Mark published in Industrial Property Bulletin | 90 days fixed |
| Registration | Certificate issued if no opposition filed | 1–2 months after opposition closes |
In short, registering a clothing brand trademark in Nepal is a structured process that rewards the person who files first. The core is Class 25, with Class 35 and Class 18 as frequent add-ons. The DoI examines every application, the public gets 90 days to oppose, and if everything runs cleanly, you walk away with a seven-year registration certificate and the exclusive right to use the ® symbol on your apparel. The single biggest thing you can do right now is check whether your brand name is even available — head over to our trademark search tool and run a search. When you're ready to file, reach out through our contact page and we'll get your application moving.
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