Trademark Registration for Furniture Brands in Nepal

Furniture brands 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 product lines from copycats.

Key Takeaways

• Nepal is first-to-file: the first valid application secures the trademark, not first use.
• One application covers one NICE class; furniture brands typically file in Class 20 (furniture) and Class 35 (retail).
• The Department of Industry examines, publishes in the Industrial Property Bulletin, and issues a certificate after a 90-day opposition window.
• Registration lasts 7 years and can be renewed indefinitely for 7-year terms.
• Foreign brands must file through a Nepal-based agent with a notarised Power of Attorney.

Why furniture brands register trademarks in Nepal

Furniture brands register trademarks in Nepal to stop copycats from using their brand name, logo, or product names. Under the Patent, Design and Trademark Act 1965 (Sec. 16), only the registered owner can use the mark in commerce. Without registration, you have no legal right to stop a competitor from selling identical furniture under your brand name.

A registered trademark also lets you license your brand to showrooms or franchises, add the ® symbol to your marketing, and build long-term brand value. In practice, banks and investors ask for a trademark certificate before funding a furniture business.

Which NICE classes apply to furniture brands in Nepal

Furniture brands in Nepal file trademark applications in NICE Class 20 for furniture and Class 35 for retail services. Each class requires a separate application and fee. The Department of Industry uses the NICE Classification, so you must pick the exact class that matches your goods or services.

What furniture brands can protect with a trademark in Nepal

Furniture brands in Nepal can protect their brand name, logo, tagline, and product names with a trademark. The Patent, Design and Trademark Act 1965 (Sec. 2) defines a trademark as any word, symbol, or picture that distinguishes your goods or services. In practice, furniture brands register:

• Brand name (e.g., “Himalayan Teak”)
• Logo (e.g., a stylised pine tree)
• Tagline (e.g., “Handcrafted for Himalayan homes”)
• Product line names (e.g., “Summit Sofa Collection”)
• Store signage or interior design elements that identify the brand

You cannot register a generic term like “wooden chair” or a functional shape that is essential to the product itself.

Who can file a trademark application for a furniture brand in Nepal

Any individual, partnership, company, or foreign entity can file a trademark application for a furniture brand in Nepal. The Department of Industry accepts applications from Nepali citizens, registered Nepali companies, and foreign applicants. Foreign applicants must appoint a Nepal-based agent and submit a notarised Power of Attorney.

If you are a foreign furniture brand, you must also provide a notarised copy of your home-country trademark registration certificate. Nepal is not part of the Madrid System, so you cannot extend an international registration to Nepal.

How to register a trademark for a furniture brand in Nepal

Furniture brands register trademarks in Nepal by filing an application with the Department of Industry, following these five steps:

1. Conduct a trademark search to check if your brand name or logo is already registered. Use the trademark conflict checker to search the DoI database by NICE class and keyword.
2. Prepare the application with four specimens of the mark, a notarised Power of Attorney, and supporting documents. For companies, include a board resolution and tax clearance letter.
3. File the application at the Department of Industry’s Foreign Investment & Technology Transfer Section in Kathmandu. You can file in person or through an authorised agent.
4. Respond to any objections from the DoI examiner. Common objections include similarity to existing marks or lack of distinctiveness.
5. Wait for publication and opposition. If no one opposes within 90 days, the DoI issues the registration certificate.

Documents needed to register a furniture trademark in Nepal

The Department of Industry requires these documents for a furniture trademark application in Nepal:

• Completed Schedule 1(c) application form
• Four specimens of the trademark (logo, wordmark, or combination)
• Notarised Power of Attorney (signed by the applicant, sealed, attested by two witnesses)
• Board resolution (for companies)
• Certificate of industry registration (for Nepali companies)
• Latest tax clearance letter (for Nepali companies)
• Notarised copy of home-country trademark registration certificate (for foreign applicants)

All documents must be in Nepali or English. If you submit documents in another language, include a notarised Nepali translation.

How long trademark registration takes for furniture brands in Nepal

Trademark registration for furniture brands in Nepal typically takes 12–14 months from filing to certificate. The Department of Industry’s examination takes 4–6 months, publication in the Industrial Property Bulletin adds 3 months, and the 90-day opposition window brings the total to about a year.

In the smoothest cases—no objections, no oppositions—the process can finish in 6–8 months. If the DoI raises objections or a third party opposes, the timeline extends. You can check the status of your application using the application number lookup tool.

What drives the cost of trademark registration for furniture brands in Nepal

The cost of trademark registration for furniture brands in Nepal depends on the number of NICE classes you file in and whether you use a professional agent. Each class requires a separate application and government fee. Professional fees cover preparing documents, filing, and responding to objections.

Foreign applicants pay higher government fees and must use a Nepal-based agent, which adds to the total cost. For an accurate estimate, use the trademark fee calculator and select the number of classes and applicant type.

Legal basis for trademark registration in Nepal

Trademark registration in Nepal is governed by the Patent, Design and Trademark Act 1965 (PDTA). Sec. 16 grants exclusive rights to the registered owner, and Sec. 18 sets out the registration process. The Act follows a first-to-file system: the first valid application secures the trademark, not first use.

Nepal is a member of the Paris Convention and TRIPS, so foreign applicants can claim priority from their home-country filing date if they file in Nepal within six months. The Department of Industry publishes all registered marks in the Industrial Property Bulletin for public notice.

Common mistakes furniture brands make when registering trademarks in Nepal

Furniture brands in Nepal often make these mistakes when registering trademarks:

• Filing in the wrong NICE class. Class 20 covers furniture, but Class 35 is needed for retail services. Use the NICE class finder to pick the right class.
• Not conducting a trademark search. Skipping the search risks rejection for similarity to existing marks. The DoI examiner checks for conflicts during examination.
• Using a generic or descriptive name. Terms like “Wooden Chair” or “Kathmandu Furniture” are not registrable. Choose a distinctive, invented name.
• Missing the 90-day opposition window. If someone opposes your mark, you must respond within the deadline or lose the application.
• Not renewing on time. Registration lasts 7 years. Renew within 35 days of expiry to avoid cancellation.

A realistic example: registering a furniture brand in Nepal

Imagine “Summit Sofa”, a Nepali furniture brand that designs modular sofas for small urban homes. The owner wants to protect the brand name, logo, and product line names.

First, they search the DoI database and find no conflicts. They file two applications: one in Class 20 for furniture and one in Class 35 for retail services. The DoI examines both applications, finds no objections, and publishes them in the Industrial Property Bulletin. No one opposes within 90 days, so the DoI issues two registration certificates. Summit Sofa can now use the ® symbol, license its brand to showrooms, and stop copycats from using its name.

Alternatives and edge cases for furniture brands in Nepal

If your furniture brand name is already registered, you can:

• Choose a different name and file a new application.
• Negotiate with the existing owner to buy or license the mark.
• File an opposition if you believe the existing registration is invalid.

If your mark is a functional shape (e.g., a sofa that converts into a bed), consider registering it as an industrial design instead. Design registration protects the aesthetic appearance, not the brand name.

In short

• Furniture brands in Nepal register trademarks to protect their brand name, logo, and product lines.
• File in NICE Class 20 for furniture and Class 35 for retail services.
• The process takes 12–14 months and follows five steps: search, file, examine, publish, register.
• Registration lasts 7 years and can be renewed indefinitely.
• Foreign brands must file through a Nepal-based agent with a notarised Power of Attorney.

People also search for:

• How to register a trademark in Nepal
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• How long does trademark registration take in Nepal
• How to protect a clothing or fashion brand in Nepal
• Brand protection checklist for new businesses in Nepal
• What is NICE classification and how do trademark classes work
• How to renew a trademark in Nepal
• How to oppose a trademark in Nepal

Ready to protect your furniture brand? Start with a trademark search or contact us for a consultation. For end-to-end filing, use our trademark registration service.