Trademark Registration for Manufacturing Companies in Nepal

Manufacturing 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 brand names, logos, and product lines from copying.

Key Takeaways

• Nepal is first-to-file: rights follow the first valid application, not first use.
• Manufacturing companies file in NICE Classes 1–34 (goods), typically 1, 7, 19, 20, 21, 30, 35.
• 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 is renewable indefinitely.
• Foreign applicants must file through a Nepal-based agent with a Power of Attorney.
• A common mistake: filing in the wrong class or missing the 90-day opposition deadline.

Why manufacturing companies need trademark registration in Nepal

Manufacturing companies in Nepal register trademarks to stop competitors from copying brand names, logos, and product lines. Under the Patent, Design and Trademark Act 1965 (Sec. 16), only the registered owner can use the mark in Nepal. Without registration, you have no legal right to stop others from selling identical or confusingly similar products under your brand.

A registered trademark also lets you license your brand to distributors, franchisees, or export partners. In practice, banks and investors ask for the registration certificate before they lend money or take your brand as collateral. If you export, a Nepal trademark helps you file for protection in other countries under the Paris Convention.

A common risk: a competitor files for your brand first. Nepal is first-to-file—rights go to the first valid application, not the first user. If you delay, you may have to buy back your own brand or rebrand entirely.

Which NICE classes apply to manufacturing companies in Nepal?

Manufacturing companies in Nepal file trademark applications in NICE Classes 1–34, which cover goods. Each application covers one class only; if your brand spans several product lines, you need separate applications for each. The Department of Industry uses the international NICE Classification system, updated annually by WIPO.

Most manufacturing companies file in these classes:

Example: a company that makes both plastic pipes (Class 19) and plastic containers (Class 21) needs two separate applications. You can check the exact class for your product line using the NICE Class Finder tool.

How to register a trademark for a manufacturing company in Nepal

Manufacturing companies register trademarks with the Department of Industry in five steps. The process takes 12–14 months when unopposed, and you must file through a local agent if you are based outside Nepal.

1. Conduct a trademark search. Before you file, check if your brand name or logo is already registered. The DoI search portal (doind.gov.np) covers word marks but not figurative elements. For a full search, use the Trademark Conflict Checker tool, which also checks phonetic and visual similarities.
2. Prepare documents. Domestic companies need:
   • Application form (Schedule 1(c) under the Act)
   • Notarised Power of Attorney (signed, sealed, attested by two witnesses)
   • Board resolution of the company
   • Four specimens of the mark (label, logo, or wordmark)
   • Certificate of the industry (issued by the Office of the Company Registrar)
   • Latest tax clearance letter
   Foreign companies add a notarised copy of the home registration certificate in English.
3. File the application. Submit the documents to the Department of Industry’s Foreign Investment & Technology Transfer Section in Kathmandu. You pay the government application fee at this stage. The DoI issues an acknowledgment with a filing number.
4. DoI examination. The Department checks if your mark is distinctive and does not conflict with existing registrations. If there is an objection, you have 30 days to respond. In practice, most manufacturing marks pass examination if they are not generic or descriptive.
5. Publication and opposition. If approved, your mark is published in the Industrial Property Bulletin. Anyone can oppose the registration within 90 days. If opposed, the DoI holds a hearing and issues a decision. If unopposed, you pay the registration fee and receive the certificate.

A common mistake: missing the 90-day opposition window. If you do not monitor the Bulletin, you may not know someone has filed an opposition until it is too late. Set a calendar reminder or use the Trademark Watch service to track your mark.

Documents required for trademark registration in Nepal

Manufacturing companies in Nepal must submit these documents to the Department of Industry for trademark registration. Domestic and foreign applicants use slightly different sets, but both need a Power of Attorney and specimens of the mark.

All documents must be in Nepali or English. If you submit in another language, you need a notarised Nepali translation. The DoI does not accept digital-only filings; you must submit physical copies.

How long does trademark registration take for manufacturing companies?

Trademark registration for manufacturing companies in Nepal typically takes 12–14 months from filing to certificate. The Department of Industry’s examination stage takes 4–6 months, and the 90-day opposition window adds another 3 months. If there is an objection or opposition, the process can take 18–24 months.

In the smoothest cases—no objections, no oppositions, and a straightforward mark—the process can finish in 6–8 months. However, this is not the norm. Most manufacturing companies should plan for 12–14 months.

You can check the status of your application using the Application Number Lookup tool. The DoI also publishes updates in the Industrial Property Bulletin, which you can monitor for your mark’s publication date.

What manufacturing companies can and cannot register as trademarks

Manufacturing companies in Nepal can register brand names, logos, taglines, product names, and distinctive packaging as trademarks. The Patent, Design and Trademark Act 1965 (Sec. 2(c)) defines a trademark as a word, symbol, picture, or combination that distinguishes your products from others. However, not everything qualifies for registration.

You can register:

• Brand names (e.g., "Himalayan Plastics" for Class 19 pipes)
• Logos and wordmarks (e.g., a stylised mountain for a furniture brand in Class 20)
• Product names (e.g., "EverCool" for refrigerators in Class 7)
• Taglines (e.g., "Built to Last" for industrial machinery in Class 7)
• Distinctive packaging (e.g., a unique bottle shape for chemicals in Class 1)

You cannot register:

• Generic or descriptive terms (e.g., "Plastic Pipes" for Class 19)
• Deceptive marks (e.g., "Organic Steel" for non-organic metal products)
• Marks that hurt public morality or national interest (Sec. 18(1) proviso)
• Marks identical or confusingly similar to existing registrations in the same class
• Flags, emblems, or official signs protected under international treaties

A common mistake: assuming a descriptive term is protectable. For example, a company selling "Durable Containers" in Class 21 cannot register the term because it describes the product, not distinguishes the brand. Instead, choose a distinctive name like "TuffBox" and pair it with a unique logo.

Realistic example: A Nepal manufacturing company registering a trademark

Imagine "GreenCraft Industries," a Kathmandu-based company that manufactures bamboo furniture (Class 20) and eco-friendly household utensils (Class 21). The company wants to register its brand name "GreenCraft" and a leaf-shaped logo for both product lines.

Here’s how GreenCraft would proceed:

1. Search: GreenCraft uses the Trademark Conflict Checker to confirm no identical or similar marks exist in Classes 20 or 21. The search shows a "GreenLeaf" mark in Class 21, but it’s different enough to avoid confusion.
2. Class selection: The company files two separate applications—one for Class 20 (furniture) and one for Class 21 (utensils)—because Nepal requires one application per class.
3. Document preparation: GreenCraft gathers its certificate from the Office of the Company Registrar, a board resolution authorising the filing, a notarised Power of Attorney, four specimens of the logo, and its latest tax clearance letter.
4. Filing: The company submits the applications to the Department of Industry’s Foreign Investment & Technology Transfer Section. The DoI issues acknowledgments with filing numbers for both applications.
5. Examination: The DoI examines both applications. For Class 20, the examiner raises a minor objection: the leaf logo is too similar to a generic leaf design. GreenCraft responds by adding a distinctive border to the logo, and the examiner approves it. The Class 21 application passes without objections.
6. Publication and opposition: Both marks are published in the Industrial Property Bulletin. A competitor files an opposition against the Class 21 mark, claiming "GreenCraft" is too similar to their "GreenLeaf" mark. The DoI holds a hearing, and GreenCraft presents evidence of distinctiveness and prior use. The DoI dismisses the opposition, and the Class 21 mark proceeds to registration. The Class 20 mark is unopposed and registers smoothly.
7. Registration: GreenCraft pays the registration fees for both marks and receives two certificates—one for Class 20 and one for Class 21. The entire process takes 14 months.

Now, GreenCraft can use the ® symbol on its bamboo furniture and utensils, license the brand to retailers, and take legal action against counterfeiters. Without registration, a competitor could have filed first and forced GreenCraft to rebrand.

Common mistakes manufacturing companies make during trademark registration

Manufacturing companies in Nepal often make these mistakes during trademark registration, which can delay or derail the process. Avoid them to save time and money.

• Filing in the wrong NICE class. For example, a company that manufactures plastic pipes (Class 19) files in Class 17 (rubber goods) instead. The DoI will reject the application, and you’ll lose the filing fee. Use the NICE Class Finder to confirm the correct class before filing.
• Choosing a descriptive or generic mark. Terms like "Strong Steel" for metal products or "Durable Plastic" for containers are not registrable. The DoI will refuse them because they describe the product, not distinguish the brand. Instead, pick a distinctive name like "TitanCore" or "EverPlast."
• Missing the 90-day opposition window. If you don’t monitor the Industrial Property Bulletin, you may not know someone has opposed your mark until it’s too late to respond. Set a reminder or use the Trademark Watch service to track your mark’s publication.
• Submitting incomplete or incorrect documents. Common errors include:
  • Power of Attorney not notarised or missing witness signatures
  • Board resolution not signed by authorised directors
  • Specimens of the mark not matching the application
  • Tax clearance letter expired or not issued by the Inland Revenue Department
  Double-check all documents before submission. The DoI will reject incomplete applications, and you’ll have to refile.
• Not responding to DoI objections. If the examiner raises an objection, you have 30 days to respond. Ignoring it will result in automatic rejection. Common objections include:
  • Mark too similar to an existing registration
  • Mark lacks distinctiveness
  • Specimens don’t match the application
  Address objections promptly with evidence or amendments.
• Assuming first use grants rights. Nepal is first-to-file, not first-to-use. Even if you’ve used your brand for years, someone else can register it first and stop you from using it. File as soon as you finalise your brand name or logo.
• Not renewing on time. Trademark registration lasts 7 years. If you miss the renewal deadline, you have a 6-month grace period to renew with a fine. After that, your registration is cancelled, and you’ll have to refile from scratch. Use the Renewal Calculator to track deadlines.

Alternatives and edge cases for manufacturing companies

Most manufacturing companies in Nepal register trademarks for brand names and logos, but there are alternatives and edge cases to consider. These may apply if your situation doesn’t fit the standard process.

If you’re unsure which option applies to your situation, consult the Trademark Registration service or use the contact form to speak with an IP expert.

In short

• Manufacturing companies in Nepal register trademarks with the Department of Industry to protect brand names, logos, and product lines.
• The process takes 12–14 months and covers one NICE class per application (typically Classes 1, 7, 19, 20, 21, 30, 35).
• You need a notarised Power of Attorney, board resolution, specimens of the mark, and other documents.
• After filing, the DoI examines the application, publishes it in the Industrial Property Bulletin, and allows 90 days for opposition.
• Registration lasts 7 years and is renewable indefinitely.
• Common mistakes include filing in the wrong class, choosing a descriptive mark, and missing deadlines.
• Alternatives like industrial designs, patents, and well-known mark status may apply to edge cases.

People also search for

• How to register a trademark in Nepal
• How long does trademark registration take in Nepal
• How to choose the right trademark class in Nepal
• Trademark Class 40: Material treatment and manufacturing services in Nepal
• How foreign companies register a trademark in Nepal
• What is NICE classification? Trademark classes explained
• Trademark renewal process in Nepal
• How to file a trademark opposition in Nepal

Ready to protect your manufacturing brand? Start with a trademark search to check if your mark is available. If you’re ready to file, use the Trademark Registration service or contact us for expert help.