Trademark registration in Pakistan goes through IPO-Pakistan under the Trade Marks Ordinance 2001 and the Trade Marks Rules. Start by searching the register and setting out the goods or services clearly. The applicant chooses the mark and scope. An advocate can review the search, prepare the application and handle IPO correspondence with authorisation.
Why register a trademark and why an SECP name is not enough
Under section 39 of the Trade Marks Ordinance 2001, registration gives the proprietor exclusive rights from the date of registration. Section 40 describes infringement, including use in trade of an identical mark on identical goods or services, or an identical or deceptively similar mark on identical or similar goods or services where confusion is likely. Infringement proceedings cannot start before registration.
SECP company-name registration does not give trademark rights, so a business with a registered company name still needs to check whether its trading name or logo can be registered as a trademark.
Section 2(xxv) of the Trade Marks Ordinance 2001 defines a mark broadly, including names, words and figurative elements. A word mark application records the wording filed; a logo application records its submitted design. The protection follows the mark actually filed. Consider what customers see on packaging, labels, menus, a website or service materials, then describe the goods or services clearly for the selected class. For the company-name process, see company registration with SECP.
Check the market and keep evidence of how the mark is used. Registration gives a formal record and a route to act if another party uses a conflicting mark. Searching before launch may reveal a problem while the business can still consider another name or a different filing scope.
Step 1: run an IPO trademark search
An IPO trademark search can show earlier marks that resemble the name or logo you plan to file. A search is optional, though advisable. IPO provides online search, and you can use Form TM-55 to request a search. Each application and fee covers one mark in one class.
Search the exact name and close variations. Then compare how the mark looks and sounds with marks for related goods or services. A search result needs review; by itself, it does not decide whether IPO can register the mark. Consider whether a similar mark could cause a problem in the same commercial area.
Google Ads monthly search volume data (via DataForSEO), September 2025 to August 2026, show that “ipo pakistan trademark search” rose from 720 searches a month in September 2025 to 2,400 in August 2026, averaging 1,300. “Trademark registration in pakistan” averaged 1,000 monthly searches and reached 1,900 in August 2026.
Before searching, gather the preferred spelling, logo files and a plain description of the products or services. If you find a close match, assess the mark, class and goods list before paying to file. A limited search can miss a similar mark, while an exact-name match alone can give false confidence.
Step 2: choose trademark classes and prepare the application
Choose the class that covers the goods or services identified by the mark. One application covers one mark in one class. For protection in more than one class, file a separate application and pay the applicable IPO fee for each. The goods or services list should reflect what the business actually offers and the protection it seeks.
The application needs Form TM-1, a goods or services list and clear reproductions of the mark. IPO’s FAQ specifies eight reproductions. If an advocate or agent files, include a power of attorney on Form TM-48. A word mark filing covers the wording in the application; a logo filing covers the visual design submitted. Choose based on the mark the business wants recorded.
Before filing, check the spelling, owner details and class description. If the list of goods or services does not match the business’s plans, the filing may cover the wrong scope. An advocate can review the proposed scope and flag search results that need attention. The applicant confirms what the business sells or plans to offer.
A common problem is a founder proposing the product name itself as the brand. Section 14 lists descriptive wording as a possible ground for refusal. An earlier similar mark for related goods or services can also raise an objection under section 17.
We check the register in the relevant class and review the proposed goods list with the client, who can decide whether to revise the mark or filing scope before submission.
Step 3: file Form TM-1 online or at an IPO office
Submit Form TM-1 online through IPO-Pakistan or at an IPO office. The Trade Marks Registry is in Karachi. IPO also accepts applications at its Islamabad headquarters and Lahore regional office, in the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry Building near China Chowk. Lahore businesses can file there or use IPO’s online route.
Pay by pay order or bank draft made out to the Director General, IPO-Pakistan. IPO’s FAQ says the Registry does not accept cash. Keep the filing acknowledgement and payment record with the application documents in case IPO asks for clarification or a response.
For a first meeting with a lawyer, bring the proposed name or logo, a description of the goods or services and any search results. Explain who owns the mark and where the business will use it. The lawyer reviews the class and filing material. The client confirms the business details and approves the scope before submission.
IPO trademark fees and timeline at a glance
IPO publishes form fees and estimated processing stages. The figures below are IPO’s published fees, checked 25 September 2026; they can change. Professional fees are separate and are not included in the table.
| Stage | IPO form | Official IPO fee | IPO's stated timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Search | TM-55 | Rs 1,000 per class | No timing stated |
| Application | TM-1 | Rs 3,000 per class | Acknowledgement in about 10 to 15 days |
| Examination | None specified | None specified | Examination report after about 3 months |
| Reply to show cause | None specified | None specified | Reply within 2 months |
| Journal publication and opposition | TM-5 for an opponent | Rs 9,000 | 2 months from journal date |
| Registration fee on demand notice | TM-11 | Rs 9,000 | Pay after demand notice |
| Renewal | TM-12 | Rs 15,000 | Every 10 years |
IPO’s Fee & Forms page lists these official fees; we checked them on 25 September 2026. They can change, and professional fees are separate. IPO gives a sequence of estimated stages rather than a fixed completion date. Objections, an opposition or a request for more information can change the process and timing.
Step 4: examination, objections and the show cause notice
IPO examines the application and may object, requiring a reply. IPO’s FAQ says an objected application receives a show cause notice with two months to respond. A descriptive mark or one resembling an existing mark may raise questions. Address the objection itself and the material in the file.
Read the notice, note the deadline and identify what IPO wants explained. The applicant provides facts about the mark, its use and intended goods or services. An advocate can draft the response and handle any hearing IPO indicates. A late reply, or one that addresses a different point, can leave the objection unresolved.
Keep copies of the application, examination report, response and IPO correspondence. If the mark, owner or goods list needs correction, use the proper filing process. IPO’s decision on the application and response determines the next step.
Step 5: publication, opposition and your certificate
If IPO accepts the mark, it publishes it in the Trade Marks Journal. The opposition period lasts two months from the journal date. If no one files an opposition, IPO sends a demand notice for the registration fee. Pay the TM-11 fee in response, and IPO can then issue the registration certificate.
A third party can oppose during the journal period. The opponent files Form TM-5. The applicant may need to file a counter-statement on Form TM-6 and respond to the case. IPO lists a fee for a TM-6 counter-statement. The parties should follow the notices and deadlines in the file.
Trademark protection lasts 10 years from the filing date and can be renewed every 10 years. Keep the certificate and filing details with business records, and note the renewal date. Monitor use of the mark and get advice if another business adopts a similar name or logo.
Renewal, protection abroad and enforcement
Renew a Pakistani trademark every 10 years using Form TM-12 and the published renewal fee. A business seeking protection outside Pakistan can apply through the Madrid Protocol route, with IPO acting as office of origin. Destination-country rules apply. Pakistan deposited its accession on 24 February 2021, and the Protocol took effect for Pakistan on 24 May 2021.
A Pakistani registration covers Pakistan only. Identify the countries where protection is needed and check their filing requirements. Sections 39 and 40 of the Trade Marks Ordinance 2001 set out the proprietor’s rights from registration and what counts as infringement. An infringement claim depends on the registered mark and the other party’s use. The Pakistan Penal Code also has criminal provisions on counterfeit marks, including sections 482, 483 and 486.
Keep dated examples of the mark in use, such as packaging, product listings or business materials. Save correspondence about suspected copying. If a dispute arises, the right course depends on the registered mark, the other party’s use and the available evidence. Company-name registration does not replace trademark registration, and an IPO search alone does not settle an infringement dispute.
How Saeed Law Firm handles trademark filings
Saeed Law Firm can review a proposed mark, search and class choices, prepare an IPO filing with Form TM-48 authorisation, and help with examination replies or oppositions. For the first consultation, bring the proposed mark, search results and a short description of the goods or services. The client confirms ownership and scope. The lawyer reviews the filing and IPO correspondence.
Overseas founders can discuss authorising a representative through a power of attorney. Saeed Law Firm offers a free initial consultation in person at Y Block Main Market, Sector Y, DHA Phase 3, Lahore 54793, or remotely. To discuss a filing, contact a corporate lawyer in Lahore on +92 319 4959420.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to register a trademark in Pakistan?
IPO’s published fees, checked 25 September 2026, include Rs 1,000 per class for a TM-55 search, Rs 3,000 per class for a TM-1 application and Rs 9,000 for the TM-11 registration fee after a demand notice. Fees can change, and professional fees are separate. Check IPO’s current schedule before filing.
How do I check if a name is trademarked in Pakistan?
Search the IPO-Pakistan register for the exact name and close variations. Then review similar marks in the relevant class and for related goods or services. You can also request an optional TM-55 search. A result does not decide registrability, so assess the mark as a whole before filing.
How long does trademark registration take in Pakistan?
IPO says acknowledgement takes about 10 to 15 days, with an examination report after about 3 months. An objection gives you two months to reply. The mark then goes through journal publication and a two-month opposition period. The full process can take many months; objections or oppositions can add time, and there is no fixed completion date.
What documents are required for trademark registration?
Prepare Form TM-1, clear reproductions of the mark and a goods or services list. If an advocate or agent files, include a power of attorney on Form TM-48. IPO’s FAQ specifies eight reproductions. Name the mark’s owner and selected class in the application. Check IPO’s current form instructions before submission.
How long is a trademark valid in Pakistan?
Trademark protection lasts 10 years from the filing date. Renew it every 10 years using Form TM-12. Keep the certificate and filing record together, then check renewal requirements and the current published fee before the renewal date. A Pakistani registration does not provide protection in other countries.
Can I register a trademark in Pakistan from abroad?
Someone outside Pakistan can arrange a filing through an advocate or agent with Form TM-48 authorisation. A Pakistani applicant can also seek protection in other Madrid Protocol member countries through IPO as office of origin. Check the authorisation and destination-country requirements before preparing the filing.
Governing law and filing details
The governing law is the Trade Marks Ordinance 2001 and the Trade Marks Rules. IPO-Pakistan is the authority. File online or at an IPO office in Karachi, Islamabad or Lahore. One application covers one mark in one class. Prepare Form TM-1, the goods or services list, clear reproductions and Form TM-48 authorisation if an advocate or agent files.