Latest News: Oct 13, 2025 (Newsletter Issue 9/25)
Implementation of Evidence of Use Notice suspended
The Department of Industry, Nepal, had issued a general notice on 19 August 2025 requiring trademark owners to submit evidence of use for all registered trademarks. However, due to ongoing civil unrest affecting administrative operations, the implementation of this notice has now been suspended until further notice.
A copy of the suspension notice dated 24 September 2025, along with our English translation, is available upon request.
That said, trademark owners may still voluntarily submit use evidence to strengthen their registrations and minimize the risk of non-use cancellation actions under the Patent, Design and Trademark Act, 1965.
Acceptable forms of evidence include:
- Invoices and import documents
- Product photos, packaging, or samples
- Advertising or promotional materials
- Screenshots or online use visible in Nepal
Source: www.selvams.com
The law relating to trademarks of Nepal is governed by the Patent, Design and Trademark Act 1965.
Trademark protection is obtained by registration. Nepal follows the first-to-file principle and unregistered trademarks are not protected by law. Even famous/well-known trademark need to be registered for protection.
Nice classification, 11th edition. However, for foreign trademarks, a certified or notarized copy of the foreign/home registration certificate (in English) is required for registration in Nepal. Hence, foreign marks are registered in Nepal as per the home/foreign registration certificate provided by the mark owner.
Registrable as trademarks are all distinctive words, symbols, pictures, 3D and color marks or a combination thereof.
Non-traditional trademarks such as audible signs (sound marks), olfactory marks (smell marks) and other invisible signs are not registrable.
The following trademark types are registrable: trademarks, service marks and geographical indications. Collective marks registered abroad under the Nice Classification may also be registrable.
The application is filed at the Department of Industry.
A separate application has to be filed for each class.
Foreign applicants need a local agent.
An original power of attorney, signed, sealed and witnessed by two persons is necessary. (If the company seal is not available, then the POA needs to be notarized).
Foreign applicants need a domestic registration to register a trademark in Nepal. In this case, a notarized or certified copy of any foreign/home registration certificate and an address for service in Nepal must be submitted with the application. If the certificate has been issued in a language other than English (for example, in Chinese or French) it should be accompanied by an English translation certified by a Notary Public.
The application process includes a formal examination, an examination of distinctiveness and a search for prior trademarks.
The processing time from first filing to registration is approx. 8 to 10 months. The first office action is taken after approx. 15 days to 1 month.
After examination, the trademark application is published in the official Industrial Property Bulletin for opposition claims.
The Registry publishes marks every 45 days to 2 months.
National:
The opposition period is 90 days from the date of publication of a trademark in the official bulletin.
A trademark registration is valid for 7 years from the date of registration. The registration is renewable for a period of seven years at a time.
Practical details on grace periods for trademark renewals are available in our publication
herePractical details on trademark use requirements are available in our publication
hereThe official fee for filing a trademark application is NPR 1,000 for one class. The registration fee is NPR 5,000.
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Practical details on trademark licensing are available in our publication
hereOnline you can see a limited part of information about this country.
More in-depth details are available for the following aspects:
General Trademark Regulations
Trademark Use Requirements
Grace Period for Trademark Renewal
Trademark Licensing
If you like to purchase all available information for this country, click the order button.
The total price is
49.00 EUR. A PDF-Download will be sent to you electronically.
Oct 28, 2025
Apex Law Chamber, Kathmandu, Nepal
