Trademark Registration for Event Companies in Nepal

Event companies in Nepal register trademarks with the Department of Industry (DoI) under the Patent, Design and Trademark Act 1965. The process takes 12–14 months, covers one NICE class per application, and protects your brand name, logo, and event themes from copycats.

Key Takeaways

• Nepal is first-to-file—rights follow the first valid application, not first use.
• Event companies file in NICE Classes 35 (event planning), 41 (entertainment), and 43 (catering).
• The DoI publishes your mark in the Industrial Property Bulletin for a 90-day opposition window.
• Registration lasts 7 years and is renewable indefinitely in 7-year terms.
• Foreign applicants must file through a Nepal-based agent with a notarised Power of Attorney.
• A common mistake: filing only the brand name and forgetting the logo or tagline.
• IP Sewa’s NICE Class Finder helps you pick the right classes before you file.

Why event companies need trademark registration in Nepal

Event companies in Nepal register trademarks to stop competitors from copying their brand names, logos, and event themes. Under the Patent, Design and Trademark Act 1965 (Sec. 16), only the registered owner can use the mark in connection with the services listed in the certificate. Without registration, you have no legal right to stop a rival from launching an identical event under your name.

A realistic Nepal example: Imagine a Kathmandu-based company called “Teej Mela Events” that organises women-only cultural festivals. If it doesn’t register its name and logo, another organiser can legally launch “Teej Mela Kathmandu” and divert customers. Once registered, the original owner can send a cease-and-desist letter and, if needed, file a case in the Department of Industry’s Law Division to stop the copycat.

Registration also lets you license your brand to franchisees or sponsors. For example, a registered “Dashain Carnival” mark can be licensed to local hotels for pop-up events, creating a new revenue stream. Without the certificate, sponsors may hesitate to partner, fearing brand disputes.

Which NICE classes apply to event companies in Nepal

Event companies in Nepal file trademark applications in NICE Classes 35, 41, and 43—one application per class. The Department of Industry uses the international NICE Classification, so each class covers a distinct set of services. Filing in the wrong class leaves part of your business unprotected.

A common mistake is filing only in Class 41 and forgetting Class 35. Class 41 covers the actual entertainment—concerts, festivals, workshops—while Class 35 covers the business side: planning, booking venues, and managing logistics. If you skip Class 35, a competitor can legally offer “Teej Mela Event Planning” services even if your Class 41 mark is registered.

IP Sewa’s NICE Class Finder lets you type your services and see the exact classes you need. You can also use the AI NICE Classifier to upload your event brochure and get an instant class recommendation.

What marks event companies can register in Nepal

Event companies in Nepal register three types of marks: word marks, figurative marks, and combined marks. A word mark protects the brand name itself—“Dashain Carnival”—while a figurative mark protects the logo or stylised text. A combined mark covers both the name and the logo in one application, but it costs the same as a single-class application, so it’s often the most cost-effective choice.

Beyond names and logos, event companies can also register taglines (“Celebrate Every Moment”), event themes (“Women’s Wellness Retreat”), and even distinctive sound jingles if they’re represented graphically. The key requirement is that the mark must be capable of distinguishing your services from others (Sec. 2(c) of the Act). Generic terms like “Wedding Planner” or “Birthday Party” cannot be registered because they describe the service itself, not a specific brand.

In practice, the Department of Industry is more likely to approve marks that are fanciful or arbitrary. For example, “Teej Mela Events” is registrable because “Teej” is a cultural festival, but the combination with “Mela” and “Events” creates a unique brand. On the other hand, “Best Event Planner” would likely be refused as merely descriptive.

How to register a trademark for your event company in Nepal

Registering a trademark for your event company in Nepal follows five clear steps: file the application, pass the DoI examination, publish in the Industrial Property Bulletin, survive the 90-day opposition window, and receive the certificate. Each step has specific requirements, and skipping one can delay your registration by months.

1. Conduct a trademark search. Before you file, use IP Sewa’s Trademark Conflict Checker to see if your mark is already registered. The DoI’s own search engine is free, but it only covers word marks—logos and stylised text are harder to check. A conflict means your application will be refused, so a thorough search saves you time and government fees.
2. Prepare the application. You’ll need:
   • The completed Schedule 1(c) application form, available on doind.gov.np.
   • Four identical specimens of your mark—printed on A4 paper, clear and legible.
   • A notarised Power of Attorney if you’re using an agent (required for foreign applicants).
   • A board resolution if the applicant is a company.
   • A copy of your industry registration certificate (for Nepali companies).
   • Your latest tax clearance letter.
   Foreign applicants must also provide a notarised copy of their home-country registration certificate in English. All documents must be in Nepali or accompanied by a notarised Nepali translation.
3. File the application with the DoI. Submit the documents in person at the Department of Industry’s Foreign Investment & Technology Transfer Section in Tripureshwor, Kathmandu, or through a registered agent. You’ll receive an acknowledgment receipt with your application number—keep this safe, as you’ll need it to track your application.
4. Respond to the DoI examination. The DoI examines your application for distinctiveness and conflicts with existing marks. If there’s an objection, you’ll receive a letter outlining the issue. Common objections include similarity to an existing mark or a mark that’s too descriptive. You have 30 days to respond with arguments or amendments. If you don’t respond, your application is abandoned.
5. Publication and opposition. If your application passes examination, it’s published in the Industrial Property Bulletin. Anyone can oppose your mark within 90 days of publication. Oppositions are filed at the DoI’s Law Division, and you’ll have a chance to defend your mark in a hearing. If no one opposes, or if you win the opposition, you move to registration.
6. Pay the registration fee and receive the certificate. Once approved, you pay the registration fee and receive your certificate. The certificate lists the mark, the owner’s name, the registration date, and the services covered. Keep it safe—you’ll need it for renewals, assignments, and enforcement actions.

A common mistake at this stage is filing in only one class. For example, if you register “Dashain Carnival” in Class 41 (entertainment) but not Class 35 (event planning), a competitor can legally offer “Dashain Carnival Planning Services.” Use IP Sewa’s NICE Class Finder to check all relevant classes before you file.

Documents event companies need for trademark registration in Nepal

Event companies in Nepal need six core documents to file a trademark application: the application form, four specimens of the mark, a notarised Power of Attorney, a board resolution, the industry registration certificate, and the latest tax clearance letter. Foreign applicants must also provide a notarised copy of their home-country registration certificate in English. Missing any document delays your application.

All documents must be in Nepali or accompanied by a notarised Nepali translation. The Power of Attorney and board resolution must be signed, sealed, and attested by two witnesses. If you’re filing a combined mark (name + logo), the four specimens must show the mark exactly as you want it registered—no variations.

A common mistake is submitting a low-resolution logo. The DoI requires clear, legible specimens—blurry or pixelated images can lead to objections. Use IP Sewa’s AI Brand Name Generator to create a high-resolution logo before you file.

How long trademark registration takes for event companies in Nepal

Trademark registration for event companies in Nepal typically takes 12–14 months from filing to certificate. The Department of Industry’s examination stage is the biggest variable—if your mark is straightforward and unopposed, you can receive your certificate in as little as 6–8 months. However, objections or oppositions can add 6–12 months to the timeline.

Here’s a realistic breakdown:

• Filing to examination: 2–3 months. The DoI assigns an examiner and checks for conflicts.
• Examination to publication: 3–4 months. If there’s an objection, you have 30 days to respond, which can add 1–2 months.
• Publication to opposition deadline: 3 months (90 days). If someone opposes your mark, the hearing process can take an additional 3–6 months.
• Opposition to registration: 1–2 months. If unopposed, you pay the fee and receive the certificate within a month.

In practice, most event companies see their marks registered in 12–14 months. The smoothest cases—no objections, no oppositions—can finish in 6–8 months, but this is the exception, not the norm. Foreign applicants often face longer timelines due to document translation and notarisation requirements.

You can track your application’s progress using IP Sewa’s Application Number Lookup. The tool shows the current status and estimated completion date based on DoI data.

Cost factors for trademark registration in Nepal

The cost of trademark registration for event companies in Nepal depends on three factors: the number of NICE classes you file in, whether you use a professional agent, and whether your application faces objections or oppositions. Government fees are charged per class, so filing in three classes costs three times as much as filing in one. Professional fees cover document preparation, filing, and responding to objections.

Government fees are fixed per class, but they don’t include agent fees, translation costs, or notarisation. For example, if you file in Classes 35, 41, and 43, you’ll pay three times the government fee. Foreign applicants also pay higher fees for document translation and notarisation. If your application faces an objection or opposition, you’ll incur additional professional fees to respond.

To estimate your total cost, use IP Sewa’s Trademark Fee Calculator. The tool lets you select the number of classes, your applicant type (Nepali or foreign), and whether you’re using an agent. It then provides a detailed cost breakdown without revealing specific NPR figures.

A common mistake is underestimating the cost of objections. If the DoI objects to your mark, you’ll need to hire an agent to draft a response, which can add 20–30% to your total cost. The best way to avoid this is to conduct a thorough trademark search before you file and choose a distinctive, non-descriptive mark.

Legal basis for trademark registration in Nepal

Trademark registration for event companies in Nepal is governed by the Patent, Design and Trademark Act 1965 (PDTA), specifically Sections 16–24. The Act defines a trademark as a word, symbol, or picture used to distinguish goods or services (Sec. 2(c)). Registration gives the owner the exclusive right to use the mark in connection with the registered services (Sec. 16).

The Department of Industry (DoI) administers the Act and acts as a quasi-judicial body for trademark disputes. The Act requires a separate application for each NICE class (Sec. 18A), and marks must be published in the Industrial Property Bulletin for a 90-day opposition window (Sec. 21A). Registration lasts 7 years and is renewable indefinitely in 7-year terms (Sec. 23B).

Nepal is a party to the Paris Convention and TRIPS, so foreign applicants can claim priority from their home-country filings within 6 months (Sec. 21B). However, Nepal is not part of the Madrid System, so foreign applicants must file directly through a Nepal-basedagent with a notarised Power of Attorney.

A key provision for event companies is Sec. 18(1), which prohibits the registration of marks that damage the goodwill of another’s trademark. This means if your mark is too similar to an existing one, the DoI will refuse it. For example, if “Tihar Lights Festival” is already registered, the DoI would likely refuse “Tihar Lights Events” for being confusingly similar.

The Act also includes a use-it-or-lose-it rule: if you don’t use your registered mark within 1 year of registration, the DoI can cancel it (Sec. 18C). This prevents companies from registering marks just to block competitors without actually using them. For event companies, this means you must organise at least one event under the mark within the first year to keep your registration active.

Common mistakes event companies make when registering trademarks in Nepal

Event companies in Nepal often make five avoidable mistakes during trademark registration: filing in the wrong NICE class, submitting unclear specimens, ignoring the opposition window, forgetting to renew, and not conducting a proper trademark search. Each mistake can delay registration, increase costs, or leave your brand unprotected.

Filing in the wrong class is the most common error. For example, an event planner might file only in Class 41 (entertainment) and forget Class 35 (event planning services). This leaves the business side of their operations unprotected. Another frequent mistake is submitting low-resolution or inconsistent specimens. The DoI requires four identical, clear representations of your mark—blurry logos or mismatched colours can lead to objections.

Ignoring the 90-day opposition window is another pitfall. Once your mark is published in the Industrial Property Bulletin, competitors have 90 days to oppose it. If you don’t monitor the Bulletin or respond to an opposition, your application can be rejected. Many companies also forget to renew their registration, which expires after 7 years. The DoI allows a 6-month late renewal with a fine, but after that, your mark is automatically cancelled.

The biggest mistake, however, is skipping the trademark search. Without checking for conflicts, you risk filing a mark that’s already registered, leading to a refusal and wasted fees. IP Sewa’s Trademark Conflict Checker searches the DoI database and flags potential conflicts before you file.

A realistic Nepal example: “Holi Fusion Events”

Let’s walk through a realistic example of an event company registering a trademark in Nepal. “Holi Fusion Events” is a Kathmandu-based company that organises fusion music festivals during the Holi festival. They want to register their brand name, logo, and tagline (“Celebrate in Colour”) to stop competitors from copying their concept.

First, they use IP Sewa’s NICE Class Finder to identify the right classes. They need Class 41 for the entertainment services (music festivals), Class 35 for event planning and coordination, and Class 43 for the food and drink services they provide at their events. They decide to file three separate applications, one for each class.

Next, they conduct a trademark search using the Trademark Conflict Checker. The search reveals no identical marks, but it flags a similar mark—“Holi Vibes Events”—registered in Class 41. They consult an agent, who advises them to tweak their logo design to make it more distinctive. They also decide to register their tagline separately as a word mark in Class 41.

They prepare their documents: the Schedule 1(c) application form, four high-resolution specimens of their logo and tagline, a notarised Power of Attorney (they’re using an agent), a board resolution, their industry registration certificate, and their latest tax clearance letter. They file the applications with the DoI and receive acknowledgment receipts.

Three months later, the DoI examines their applications. The Class 35 and 43 applications pass without objections, but the Class 41 application receives an objection for being too similar to “Holi Vibes Events.” Their agent responds with arguments showing the differences in design and concept, and the DoI accepts the response. The marks are published in the Industrial Property Bulletin.

During the 90-day opposition window, a competitor files an opposition against the Class 41 mark, arguing that “Holi Fusion Events” is too similar to their own unregistered mark, “Holi Fest Kathmandu.” The DoI’s Law Division holds a hearing. “Holi Fusion Events” presents evidence of prior use and distinctiveness, and the opposition is dismissed. They pay the registration fee and receive their certificates for all three classes.

The entire process takes 14 months. Now, “Holi Fusion Events” can legally stop competitors from using similar names or logos for music festivals, event planning, or catering services. They also license their brand to local hotels for pop-up events, creating a new revenue stream.

Alternatives and edge cases for event companies

Event companies in Nepal sometimes face situations where trademark registration isn’t the best—or only—option. For example, if your mark is too descriptive to register, you can still rely on passing-off laws to stop competitors from copying your brand. Under the Patent, Design and Trademark Act 1965 (Sec. 21E), you can sue for passing off if you can prove that your mark has acquired distinctiveness through use and that the copycat is causing confusion.

Another edge case is collective marks. If you’re part of an industry association—like the Nepal Event Planners Association—you can register a collective mark that all members can use. This is useful for promoting industry standards, but it doesn’t give individual members exclusive rights to the mark. The association itself owns the mark and sets the rules for its use.

Event companies that operate internationally should also consider filing in other countries. Nepal isn’t part of the Madrid System, so you’ll need to file separately in each country where you want protection. However, you can claim priority from your Nepal filing within 6 months under the Paris Convention (Sec. 21B). This means your foreign applications will be treated as if they were filed on the same day as your Nepal application.

Finally, if your mark includes a design element that’s also an industrial design—like a unique stage setup or festival tent—you might want to register it as both a trademark and a design. Trademark registration protects the mark as a brand identifier, while design registration protects the aesthetic appearance of the product. IP Sewa’s Design Registration Service can help you file both types of applications.

In short, trademark registration is the strongest form of brand protection for event companies in Nepal, but it’s not the only option. Depending on your situation, you might also rely on passing-off laws, collective marks, or international filings to safeguard your brand.

• Nepal is first-to-file—register your mark before someone else does.
• Event companies file in NICE Classes 35, 41, and 43—one application per class.
• The process takes 12–14 months, with a 90-day opposition window.
• You can register word marks, logos, taglines, and even sound jingles if represented graphically.
• Conduct a trademark search before you file to avoid conflicts and objections.
• Renew your registration every 7 years to keep your rights active.
• If your mark is too descriptive to register, passing-off laws can still offer some protection.

Ready to protect your event company’s brand? Start with a trademark search to check for conflicts, then use IP Sewa’s NICE Class Finder to pick the right classes. When you’re ready to file, our Trademark Registration Service handles the entire process for you. Contact us at /contact for a consultation.