Trademark Registration in Nepal for Bangladeshi Companies

A Bangladeshi company registers a trademark in Nepal by filing an application with the Department of Industry (DoI) through a Nepal-based agent, using a notarised Power of Attorney. Nepal is not a member of the Madrid System, so there is no WIPO-based international route — Bangladeshi applicants file directly under the Patent, Design and Trademark Act 1965 (PDTA).

Key Takeaways

• Nepal follows a first-to-file system — the first valid application wins, not the first user of the mark.
• Bangladeshi companies must file through a Nepal-based representative with a notarised Power of Attorney.
• One trademark application covers one NICE class only; a multi-class brand needs multiple applications.
• The process runs roughly 12–14 months end to end when unopposed; simpler cases can finish in 6–8 months.
• Registration is valid for 7 years and renewable indefinitely for further 7-year terms.
• A notarised copy of the home registration certificate (in English) is required when filing as a foreign applicant.
• No Madrid System shortcut exists — the application goes directly to the DoI in Kathmandu.

Can a Bangladeshi company register a trademark in Nepal?

Yes — the PDTA allows any foreign firm, including a Bangladeshi company, to register a trademark in Nepal. There is no requirement to have a local subsidiary or business presence. The company must however file through a Nepal-based agent or legal representative, and submit a notarised Power of Attorney along with a certified copy of the home-country trademark registration certificate in English.

Why should a Bangladeshi business register its mark in Nepal?

Nepal operates a first-to-file system under the PDTA. Rights belong to whoever files a valid application first — not to whoever used the mark first in the market. If you export goods to Nepal, license a brand, or plan to enter the market later, someone else can register your mark before you and block your entry. Registration under Sec. 21 gives you the exclusive right to use the mark and the legal standing to oppose infringing applications published in the Industrial Property Bulletin. Without it, even a well-known Bangladeshi brand has limited recourse.

What documents does a Bangladeshi company need to file?

Foreign applicants file a different document set from domestic ones. The DoI requires a notarised Power of Attorney signed by the applicant, sealed, and attested by two witnesses — this authorises your Nepal-based agent to act on your behalf. You also need a board resolution of the company, a label or specimen of the trademark, and — critically — a notarised or certified copy of the home registration certificate of the mark in English. If you claim priority from an earlier Bangladeshi filing, include a certified copy of that application too. Our team can help you assemble and review this document package — reach out here before you start.

Which NICE classes should a Bangladeshi company file in?

Nepal follows the NICE Classification system with 45 classes — goods in Classes 1–34, services in Classes 35–45. One application covers one class only. A Bangladeshi garment exporter, for instance, would file in Class 25 (clothing, footwear, headwear). If that same company also retails under its own brand name, it needs a second application in Class 35 (retail and wholesale services). Choosing the right class is the single most common filing mistake we see — an error here leaves your mark unprotected in the class that matters. Use our NICE Class Finder to identify the correct class before you file.

How does a Bangladeshi company register a trademark in Nepal — step by step

The process follows the same statutory path as a domestic filing, with extra attention to the foreign-applicant document requirements. Here is the exact sequence:

1. Conduct a trademark search. Before filing, search the DoI database for conflicting marks — especially wordmarks that could block yours. Use our trademark search tool to check existing registrations.
2. Select the correct NICE class. Identify the class that covers your goods or services. One application per class — pick wrong and your mark isn't protected where you need it.
3. Prepare the foreign-applicant documents. Notarise the Power of Attorney with two witnesses, obtain a board resolution, prepare a clear label of the mark, and get a certified English copy of your home registration certificate.
4. File through a Nepal-based agent. Your agent submits the application, four specimens of the mark, and the government application fee to the DoI.
5. DoI examination. The Department examines the mark for distinctiveness and similarity to existing registrations. If objections arise, you get a chance to respond.
6. Publication in the Industrial Property Bulletin. If the mark passes examination, the DoI publishes it. Third parties then have a 90-day window to file an opposition.
7. Registration certificate. If no opposition is filed — or if an opposition is resolved in your favour — you pay the registration fee and the DoI issues the Schedule 2(c) certificate. Your mark is now protected for seven years.

How long does registration take for a Bangladeshi applicant?

Expect the process to take roughly 12–14 months from filing to certificate when the application is unopposed. In straightforward cases — where the mark is clearly distinctive and no third party objects during the 90-day opposition window — it can complete in as little as 6–8 months. Delays most often happen at the examination stage or when the DoI requests additional documentation from the foreign applicant. Submitting a clean, complete file from day one makes a real difference to the timeline.

What drives the cost of registering a Bangladeshi trademark in Nepal?

Three factors determine the total cost. First, government fees are charged per class — an application fee and a registration fee are both payable to the DoI, and foreign applicants pay a higher statutory rate than domestic ones. Second, professional fees cover the agent's work: the search, class identification, document preparation, filing, and handling any examiner queries. Third, the number of classes multiplies both costs because each class needs its own application. A single-class filing costs less than a brand spanning three or four classes. For a current estimate tailored to your situation, use our trademark fee calculator or contact us with your class and mark details.

What legal rights does a registered trademark give in Nepal?

Registration under the PDTA gives the Bangladeshi company the exclusive right to use the mark for the goods or services listed in the application. Sec. 16 prohibits any other party from copying or using the registered mark without the owner's written permission under Sec. 21D. The DoI acts as a quasi-judicial body — you can file an opposition against a conflicting mark during the 90-day publication window, and pursue enforcement through the DoI's Law Division. Nepal's first-to-file system means the registration certificate is the primary proof of ownership. The mark is initially protected for seven years and renewable indefinitely in seven-year blocks, keeping your brand secured for as long as you operate in the market.

Common mistakes Bangladeshi companies make when filing in Nepal

A frequent error is assuming a Bangladeshi registration automatically extends to Nepal — it does not. Nepal is outside the Madrid System and has no bilateral trademark treaty with Bangladesh. Every mark must be independently registered with the DoI. Another mistake we see is filing in the wrong NICE class: a company exporting both textiles and branded retail bags might file only in Class 24 (textiles) and miss Class 18 (leather bags) or Class 25 (clothing). Finally, some applicants send a home registration certificate that is not notarised or not in English, which causes the DoI to suspend examination and request fresh documents — adding months to the timeline.

A practical example: a Bangladeshi garment brand entering Nepal

Imagine a Dhaka-based readymade-garment company, "Padma Weave," exporting cotton shirts to Kathmandu boutiques and planning to open its own retail outlet in Lalitpur. The company files one application for the wordmark PADMA WEAVE in Class 25 (clothing) to cover the exported goods, and a second application for the same wordmark in Class 35 (retail services) to protect the storefront. Both applications are filed through a Nepal-based agent with a single notarised Power of Attorney and board resolution. The DoI examines both, publishes them in the Industrial Property Bulletin, and — assuming no opposition — issues two registration certificates within 13 months. The company now has enforceable rights in both classes and can safely invest in physical retail.

What if someone opposes the Bangladeshi company's application?

Any third party can file an opposition within 90 days of publication in the Industrial Property Bulletin. If that happens, the DoI withholds the certificate and conducts an inquiry — essentially a hearing process where both sides present evidence. The opposition is handled through the DoI's Law Division, which has quasi-judicial authority. A well-prepared applicant with a distinctive mark and a clean home registration record usually prevails, but the process adds time. If you need help responding to an opposition or filing one against a conflicting mark, our team covers opposition and enforcement — learn more here.

Renewing a Nepali trademark held by a Bangladeshi company

A registered trademark in Nepal lasts seven years from the date of registration. Renewal must be filed within 35 days of expiry. If you miss that window, a six-month grace period is available on payment of a late fee — after that, the registration is automatically cancelled and the mark becomes open for anyone to file. The renewal process is straightforward: your agent files the renewal application with the DoI and pays the government renewal fee. Since many Bangladeshi companies manage multiple jurisdictions, it is easy to lose track of the Nepal renewal date. Our renewal calculator helps you see exactly when action is due.

In short: a Bangladeshi company can register a trademark in Nepal, but there is no Madrid shortcut — you file directly with the DoI through a local agent, with a notarised Power of Attorney and a certified home registration certificate. Get the NICE class right, file a complete document set, and budget about 12–14 months for the certificate to arrive. The seven-year protection is renewable indefinitely, giving your brand long-term security in the Nepali market.

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Ready to protect your brand in Nepal? Start by searching the DoI database for conflicting marks — run a free trademark search here. When you are ready to file, our team can handle the entire process for your Bangladeshi company, from document preparation to certificate. Get in touch or explore our trademark registration service to begin.