Trademark registration in Nepal is governed by the Patent, Design and Trademark Act, 1965 (2022 B.S.) (PDTA). This article covers the process of foreign trademark registration in Nepal, including recent updates for 2026.

1. What is the legal ground for foreign trademark registration in Nepal?

To receive legal protection in Nepal, a foreign trademark must be compulsorily registered in the country. Section 21A of the PDTA provides that a foreign trademark will not be granted protection in Nepal unless it is officially registered there.

Although Nepal is a member state of the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property (1883), the PDTA does not specifically provide for the protection of "well-known trademarks." Therefore, registration with the Department of Industry (DOI) is necessary for the protection of all foreign trademarks, including well-known ones.

2. What is the competent authority to register a foreign trademark?

The Department of Industry (DOI) under the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies of the Government of Nepal registers and administers all trademarks in Nepal, both domestic and foreign.

3. What is the procedure for foreign trademark registration in Nepal?

The table below explains the procedure for foreign trademark registration in Nepal:

4. What is the main document required for foreign trademark registration?

Foreign trademarks cannot be independently registered in Nepal. A Home/Foreign Trademark Registration Certificate from the country of origin must be submitted to the DOI for registration.

If a trademark has been applied for registration in any foreign country (especially a Paris Convention member state), then, based on such application, a trademark registration application can be submitted to the DOI. Such an application can make a priority claim for up to 6 months, as assured by the Paris Convention.

5. What are the documents that need to be submitted for registration?

The following documents need to be submitted to the DOI for registration:

6. Is there any ground for refusal of trademark registration?

Under Section 18(1) of the PDTA, the DOI can reject a trademark registration application on the following grounds:

• If the trademark is found to have already been registered in the name of another person.
• If the trademark damages the goodwill or reputation of any person or institution.
• If the trademark damages the goodwill of another person's trademark.
• If the trademark adversely affects public conduct, morality, or undermines national interest.

7. What is the time required for trademark registration?

Generally, it takes about 6 to 14 months to complete the process of trademark registration where no petition for opposition is filed.

8. What is the validity of a registered trademark?

A registered trademark remains valid for 7 years from the date of registration. However, a trademark can be renewed for any number of times for a period of 7 years at a time.

9. On what basis are trademarks classified in Nepal?

Registration of trademarks is submitted on the basis of the classification made by the Nice Agreement 1957, which has categorized 35 classes of goods and 11 classes of services. Nepal has adopted this international classification system.

As a matter of practice and law under Section 18A (2) of the PDTA, the applicant has to prepare a separate application and pay separate government fees for the registration of a trademark in different classes.

10. How much government fee is required for trademark registration?

11. What is the "Use" requirement and renewal process for a foreign trademark?

• Use Requirement: If a trademark registered at the DOI is not brought into use within 1 year from the date of registration, the department may conduct necessary inquiries and cancel such registration.
• Renewal Timeline: A trademark can be renewed within 35 days after the expiry date. Alternatively, it can be renewed within a 6-month grace period by paying a penalty of NPR 1,000. If not renewed within this period, the registration will be automatically cancelled.

12. Important Update for Pending Trademark Applications (2026)

According to a notice issued by the DOI on 1 December 2025:

• Trademark applicants with applications pending for more than seven (7) years due to incomplete documentation must file a request with complete documentation within 90 days of the notice, i.e., by 28 February 2026. Failing this, the application will be deemed abandoned and removed from the register without further notice.
• Trademark applicants whose applications were published before 1 December 2025 and have passed the opposition window without any oppositions must submit a request for the issuance of a Registration Certificate, together with the requisite fees and/or documents, within six (6) months from the date of this notice, i.e., by 31 May 2026. Failing this, the application will be cancelled.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the legal ground for foreign trademark registration in Nepal?
• What is the competent authority to register a foreign trademark?
• What is the procedure for foreign trademark registration in Nepal?
• What is the main document required for foreign trademark registration?
• What documents are needed for registration?
• Is there any ground for refusal of trademark registration?
• What is the time required for trademark registration?
• What is the validity of a registered trademark?