Nepal’s TMT sector is governed by a growing body of legislation designed to balance innovation with regulation:

• Telecommunications Act, 2053 (1997) – The primary law governing telecommunications services, aimed at making such services reliable, accessible, and systematically regulated.

• National Broadcasting Act, 2049 (1993) and Press and Publication Act, 2048 (1992) – Key media laws promulgated following the restoration of democracy to expand the reach and impact of media in Nepal, setting standards for broadcasting, journalism, and publication.

• Electronic Transactions Act, 2063 (2006) – The cornerstone of cyber law in Nepal, regulating electronic transactions, digital signatures, cybercrime, and the unauthorized use of electronic records.

• Individual Privacy Act, 2075 (2018) – Addressing the collection, use, and protection of personal data, increasingly relevant in the digital age.

• Copyright Act, 2059 (2002) and Patent, Design and Trademark Act, 2022 (1965) – Governing intellectual property rights that underpin creative and technological innovation.

Nepal’s technology landscape is in a state of continuous expansion and evolution. Our technology law practice assists clients with:

• Registration and protection of technology related intellectual property, including software copyrights, patents for technological inventions, and trade secrets for proprietary algorithms.

• Electronic transaction and e commerce regulations, ensuring that digital business models comply with the Electronic Transactions Act.

• Technology licensing agreements, including software licenses, technology transfer arrangements, and cloud service contracts.

• Cross border technological transactions, handling complex multi jurisdictional deals with precision.

• Privacy policies and terms of service, drafting customized documents for leading multinational companies, social media platforms, and digital service providers.

• Internet governance awareness, participating in initiatives to promote responsible and lawful use of digital technologies in Nepal.

In the media and entertainment sector, we act as legal advisors and private consultants for production houses, broadcasters, digital platforms, publishers, and creative professionals. Our services include:

• Drafting and negotiating media related agreements, such as licensing contracts, distribution agreements, content acquisition deals, and talent agreements.

• Advising on content regulation, including compliance with broadcasting standards, advertising guidelines, and censorship requirements.

• Intellectual property protection for creative works, including film, music, literature, and digital content.

• Defamation and reputation management, providing counsel on defamation claims, right of reply, and pre publication review to mitigate legal risks.

Telecommunications law involves multiple layers of physical infrastructure, financial commitments, and regulatory compliance, requiring a broad legal advisory body alongside competent advocates for litigation. Our services include:

• Regulatory compliance, conducting regular compliance checklist assessments for telecom operators, service providers, and infrastructure companies.

• Due diligence for telecom projects, assessing legal, regulatory, and operational risks for acquisitions, investments, and new licenses.

• Procurement projects, advising on the acquisition of equipment, spectrum, and technology.

• Dispute resolution, representing clients in arbitration, negotiation, and litigation arising from interconnection agreements, licensing disputes, and regulatory enforcement.

Data protection and privacy have become alarming concerns globally and nationally. We provide:

• Compliance advisory under the Individual Privacy Act, Electronic Transactions Act, and sector specific regulations issued by Nepal Rastra Bank and other authorities.

• Customized privacy policies and terms of conditions, drafted for social media companies, large conglomerates, e commerce platforms, and other data processing entities.

• Data protection impact assessments, identifying privacy risks in new products, services, or processing activities.

• Cross border data transfer compliance, advising on restrictions and mechanisms for lawful international data flows.

• Data breach response, including regulatory notification, affected individual communications, and coordination with forensic investigators.

The Electronic Transactions Act, 2063 is Nepal’s principal cyber law. We offer:

• Filing of cybersecurity complaints, representing victims of cybercrime including hacking, identity theft, online fraud, and unauthorized data access.

• Settlement and negotiation of cyber related disputes, resolving conflicts through alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.

• Drafting and negotiation of cyber related contracts, including technology vendor agreements, data processing agreements, and IT procurement contracts.

• Compliance advisory, assisting clients to comply with prevailing cyber law, including implementing robust security practices and incident response protocols.

As technology continues to advance, we provide forward looking counsel on emerging issues including artificial intelligence, blockchain, Internet of Things, and digital assets. We help clients anticipate regulatory developments, structure innovative products, and manage the legal risks associated with cutting edge technologies.