Nepal — Intellectual Property
Nepal ratified the Paris Convention in 2001, enabling conventional patent and trademark applications. Nepal is governed by the Patent, Design and Trademark Act, 2022 (1965 A.D.), as amended. Nepal is not a member of the Madrid Protocol; trademark applications must be filed directly before the Nepalese Trademark Registry. Multi-class filing is not permitted. Nepal's patent term of 7 years (renewable twice) is distinctive in the region.
Application must be filed within 12 months from the earliest priority date.
Registered patents are published unless kept secret for national interest. Any person may oppose within 35 days from the date on which the registered patent is seen or a copy is obtained.
| Period | Detail |
|---|---|
| Initial term | 7 years from grant |
| Renewal | Two further terms of 7 years each |
| Maximum total term | 21 years |
Nepal follows Nice Classification. All 45 classes may be filed. Multi-class filing is not permitted. Nepal is not a member of the Madrid Protocol — applications must be filed directly before the Nepalese Trademark Registry. Conventional applications must be filed within 6 months of the priority filing.
Under Section 18(C) of the Patent, Design and Trademark Act, 2022 (1965 A.D.), trademark owners must use their registered trademarks within one year from the date of registration, otherwise the registration may be cancelled.
- Trademark representation
- Full name, address, status and nationality of applicant(s)
- International Class and description of goods/services
- Date of use in Nepal (if any)
- Notarised translation/transliteration if mark is not in English
- Priority details if applicable (application no., country, date)
- Power of Attorney — executed in presence of two witnesses (with seal if available; notarisation mandatory where seal unavailable)
- For conventional priority — certified copy + notarised English translation within 2 months
- Notarised/certified copy of Home country Registration Certificate + notarised English translation (mandatory for processing to registration)
| Period | Detail |
|---|---|
| Initial term | 7 years from registration |
| Renewal | 7 years each time (unlimited) |
| Extension without cost | 35 days available |
| Renewal endorsement | Original certificate required |
Conventional priority is available for industrial design applications in Nepal. The application must be filed within six months of the first filing in a Paris Convention member country. The design must be absolutely novel and original and must not have been published anywhere before the priority or filing date.
- Application form executed in presence of two witnesses
- Name, address and nationality of applicant(s)
- Title of article
- Multiple views of the article (front, back, top, side, bottom, perspective) — 6 photographic sets, or drawings/sketches by email
- Priority details (application no., date, country) where applicable
- Power of Attorney — executed in presence of two witnesses (with company seal if available; notarisation mandatory where seal unavailable)
Certified copy of priority document with English translation must be supplied within 3 months of filing. A 35-day extension is available without cost; original certificate required for renewal endorsement.
| Period | Detail |
|---|---|
| Initial term | 5 years |
| Renewal | Two further terms of 5 years each |
| Maximum total term | 15 years |
IP services in Nepal.
From initial filing through registration, renewal and enforcement — explore our practice guides for a detailed look at each service.
Filing & Prosecution
Registration
Designs
Protection
Technology Transfer
& Disputes
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