Trademark registration in Kathmandu is filed with the Department of Industry (DoI) in Tripureshwor under the Patent, Design and Trade Mark Act 1965. Nepal follows a first-to-file system — rights belong to whoever files a valid application first, not whoever uses the mark first. The process typically takes 12 to 14 months end to end when unopposed.
Key Takeaways
- All trademark applications in Nepal are filed at the Department of Industry in Tripureshwor, Kathmandu — there is no other office.
- Nepal is a first-to-file country; using a mark without registration gives you no statutory ownership.
- One application covers one NICE class only — a brand spanning multiple classes needs multiple applications.
- Registration is valid for 7 years and renewable indefinitely for further 7-year terms.
- The DoI publishes accepted marks in the Industrial Property Bulletin for a 90-day public opposition window.
- Kathmandu-based businesses can file directly, but most use a local IP agent to handle examination queries and avoid procedural rejections.
- Nepal is not a member of the Madrid System — foreign applicants must file through a Nepal-based representative.
Why do businesses in Kathmandu register a trademark?
Registering a trademark with the Department of Industry gives you the exclusive legal right to use that mark for your goods or services across Nepal. Without registration under the Patent, Design and Trade Mark Act 1965, you cannot stop a competitor from copying your brand name or logo — even if you used it first. A registered mark also lets you display the ® symbol, license or franchise your brand, and take legal action against infringers through the DoI's quasi-judicial process.
Who handles trademark registration in Kathmandu?
The Department of Industry (DoI) in Tripureshwor is the sole registering authority for all of Nepal. Its Law Division examines applications, publishes accepted marks in the Industrial Property Bulletin, hears oppositions, and issues registration certificates. The DoI also functions as a quasi-judicial body — it can rule on infringement and cancellation disputes, with powers comparable to a district court. There is no separate IP office; everything runs through this single government department.
Which NICE classes apply to businesses in Kathmandu?
Nepal uses the NICE Classification system with 45 classes — Classes 1 to 34 cover goods, and Classes 35 to 45 cover services. A single application covers one class only. If your Kathmandu restaurant sells food and also sells branded merchandise, you will need at least two applications — one in Class 43 and another in the relevant goods class. The most frequently filed classes in Nepal include Class 25 (clothing), Class 43 (restaurants and hotels), Class 35 (retail and advertising), and Class 9 (electronics and software).
How do you register a trademark in Kathmandu — step by step?
The registration process at the Department of Industry follows a clear sequence. A common mistake we see is skipping the pre-filing search and then discovering a conflict months later. Here is the full path from start to certificate.
- Search the trademark database. Before filing, run a DoI trademark search for identical or similar marks in your class. The DoI search works well for word marks; logo searches are harder. You can use our trademark database search to check existing marks quickly.
- Identify the correct NICE class. Pick the class that matches your goods or services. Getting this wrong means rejection. Our NICE class finder tool helps you pinpoint the right class before you file.
- Prepare your documents. Gather a notarised Power of Attorney, company board resolution, the trademark label, and your industry registration certificate. If you are a foreign applicant, you will also need a notarised copy of your home registration certificate in English.
- File the application at the DoI. Submit Schedule 1(c) along with four specimens of the mark. The DoI office at Tripureshwor will issue an acknowledgment and application number.
- Respond to the DoI examination. A DoI examiner reviews your application for distinctiveness and conflicts with existing marks. If they raise an objection, you have a chance to respond and defend your application.
- Publication in the Industrial Property Bulletin. If the examiner accepts your mark, the DoI publishes it in the Bulletin. Third parties then have a 90-day window to file an opposition.
- Receive your registration certificate. If no opposition is filed — or if the DoI rules in your favour after a hearing — you pay the registration fee and receive the Schedule 2(c) certificate. Your mark is now protected for seven years.
What documents are required for trademark registration in Kathmandu?
The Department of Industry requires a specific set of documents depending on whether you are a domestic or foreign applicant. All documents must be in English or accompanied by a notarised Nepali translation.
| Document | Domestic Applicant | Foreign Applicant |
|---|---|---|
| Application form (Schedule 1(c)) | Required | Required |
| Notarised Power of Attorney | Required | Required |
| Board resolution of the company | Required | Required |
| Trademark label (4 specimens) | Required | Required |
| Industry registration certificate | Required | Not required |
| Latest tax clearance letter | Required | Not required |
| Notarised home registration certificate (English) | Not required | Required |
If you are claiming priority from a foreign application under the Paris Convention, you will also need a notarised copy of that filing receipt. Missing documents are the single biggest source of procedural delays. Our team can help you assemble a complete application file — reach out here before you submit.
How long does trademark registration take in Kathmandu?
The typical end-to-end timeline is 12 to 14 months when the application faces no opposition. In favourable cases — where the examiner raises no objections and the mark is published without an opposition — the process can complete in around 6 to 8 months. Delays usually happen at the examination stage or when a third party files an opposition during the 90-day Bulletin window. The DoI's process is described in practice as "slightly dilatory," so it is wise to plan for the longer estimate. For a detailed timeline breakdown, see our guide on how long trademark registration takes in Nepal.
What drives the cost of trademark registration in Kathmandu?
The total cost has two components: government fees payable to the Department of Industry, and professional fees for your IP agent or lawyer. Government fees are charged per class — a single application covering one class pays one set of fees; a brand spanning three classes pays three times that. Foreign applicants pay higher government rates than domestic ones. Additional costs can arise if your application faces an examiner objection requiring a written response, or if a third-party opposition triggers a hearing. For a full qualitative breakdown of what influences the final figure, read our guide on how much trademark registration costs in Nepal — or use our trademark fee calculator for a current estimate based on your specifics.
What is the legal basis for trademark protection in Kathmandu?
The governing law is the Patent, Design and Trade Mark Act 1965 (2022 BS), amended several times — most significantly in 2006 to modernise IP provisions. Section 18 of the Act sets out the grounds on which the DoI can refuse a mark: if it hurts the reputation of an individual or institution, damages the goodwill of another's trademark, or is already registered in someone else's name. The Trademark Directives, 2072 (2015) supplement the Act with procedural detail on well-known marks, opposition language requirements, and enforcement bodies. Nepal is a member of the Paris Convention and TRIPS (through WTO membership), but is not a signatory to the Madrid Protocol — so you cannot designate Nepal through an international application. All filings must go directly to the DoI in Kathmandu.
What are the most common mistakes when filing in Kathmandu?
A mistake we see often is filing under the wrong NICE class and only discovering it months later when the examiner rejects the application. Another is assuming that registering a company name at the Office of the Company Registrar (OCR) protects the brand — it doesn't. Company registration and trademark registration are completely separate things in Nepal. A third pitfall is neglecting to use the mark within one year of registration; the DoI can cancel a registered trademark that has not been put to genuine use. Lastly, some business owners file a logo but forget to also register the wordmark separately, leaving the brand name itself unprotected. Learn how to pick the right class upfront in our guide on choosing the right trademark class in Nepal.
A real-world example: a Thamel café
Imagine you open a café in Thamel called "Himalayan Bean" — you serve coffee and light meals and plan to sell branded mugs and t-shirts. You register the wordmark "Himalayan Bean" in Class 43 (restaurant services). Six months later a rival opens "Himalayan Beans Coffee" two streets away. Because you filed first, you can oppose their application during the 90-day Bulletin window and prevent them from registering a confusingly similar mark. But your branded mugs and t-shirts are still unprotected — those need separate applications in Class 21 (household goods) and Class 25 (clothing). A multi-class strategy from the start would have covered all three at once. If you are unsure which classes your business needs, try our AI NICE classifier for guidance.
How does renewal work for a trademark registered in Kathmandu?
A registered trademark in Nepal lasts 7 years from the date of registration and can be renewed indefinitely for further 7-year terms. You must file for renewal within 35 days of the expiry date. If you miss that window, a 6-month grace period applies — you can still renew, but a late fine is added. After six months with no renewal, the DoI automatically cancels the registration and the mark falls into the public domain. Our trademark renewal service can handle the paperwork for you and keep your protection active.
Can a foreign business register a trademark in Kathmandu?
Yes. Since Nepal is not a member of the Madrid System, foreign applicants must file directly through a Nepal-based IP agent or representative holding a valid Power of Attorney. The required documents include a notarised copy of the home registration certificate in English. Foreign applicants pay different government fees than domestic ones. The DoI at Tripureshwor handles all applications — domestic and foreign — through the same examination and publication process. Our team regularly assists international brands with Nepal filings; contact us to discuss your requirements.
In short: trademark registration in Kathmandu is a single-window process at the DoI, governed by the 1965 Act, with a 12-to-14-month timeline and a 7-year renewable term. The key is filing in the correct NICE class, assembling complete documents, and acting before a competitor does — because in a first-to-file system, whoever reaches the DoI first owns the mark.
People also search for:
- How to register a trademark in Nepal
- Documents required for trademark registration in Nepal
- How much does trademark registration cost in Nepal
- How long does trademark registration take in Nepal
- How to choose the right trademark class in Nepal
- What is the NICE classification for trademarks
Ready to protect your brand? Start by searching existing marks in our trademark database, or get in touch with our team through the contact page to begin your application with the Department of Industry in Kathmandu.
Comments (0)
Leave a comment
Replying to — cancel