Nepal recognizes patents, trademarks, industrial designs, copyrights, geographical indications, plant varieties, and trade secrets
Key statutes include:
Trademarks, patents & designs: Department of Industry under MoICS
Copyrights: Nepal Copyright Registrar’s Office under MoCTCA
Yes registration provides proof of ownership, makes enforcement stronger, and is mandatory for litigation .
You must file a complaint within 3 months of learning about the infringement
Yes all economic and moral rights can be transferred via written agreemen
Yes foreign rights enjoy national treatment. You can register foreign trademarks by submitting certified copies of foreign registrations within 6 months of priority filing
Yes Nepal is a member of WIPO, and is party to the Paris and Berne Conventions, as well as TRIPS under WTO
A new Industrial Property Bill is in Cabinet review. Once passed, it will expand coverage to include GI, trade secrets, integrated circuit designs, and improve dispute resolution