Trademark Registration in Karachi, Lahore & Islamabad, Pakistan
Trademark registration secures exclusive legal rights over your brand name, logo, slogan, or label under the Trade Marks Ordinance, 2001. In Pakistan it is administered by the Intellectual Property Organization of Pakistan (IPO-Pakistan) through its Trade Marks Registry — whose head office is in Karachi — with offices also in Islamabad, Lahore, and Peshawar.
Our trademark attorneys handle the full process — search, classification, filing, examination, opposition, and registration — for clients across Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, and Rawalpindi. The aim is simple: turn your brand from a market presence into a legally defensible commercial asset.
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What Is a Trademark, and What Can Be Registered?
A trademark is any distinctive sign that identifies and distinguishes the goods or services of one business from another. Protectable marks include:
- Brand names and wordmarks
- Logos, monograms, and devices
- Slogans and taglines
- Product labels and packaging
- Distinctive shapes and, in some cases, sounds
The Ordinance also recognises service marks (for services rather than goods), collective marks under section 82 (for members of an association), and certification marks (certifying origin, quality, or standard). Geographical indications are protected under a separate regime.
Registration is not a formality. It converts goodwill into a protected, enforceable asset — turning your brand from a market presence into a legally defensible commercial property.
Why Register Your Trademark?
- Exclusive legal right to use the mark in the registered class
- A documented basis to stop imitators and counterfeiters
- Greater brand credibility with customers, banks, and partners
- An asset that can be licensed, franchised, or sold
- A foundation for expansion across Pakistan and abroad
In a high-competition market such as Karachi, where imitation and brand confusion are common, an unregistered name offers far weaker protection than a registered mark.
Trademark Search
A proper search (TM-55) identifies conflicts, assesses registrability, and reduces the risk of objections or legal complications later.
Multi-City Brand Protection
A registered trademark under the Trade Marks Ordinance, 2001 provides nationwide protection — covering Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and beyond.
The Trade Marks Registry in Karachi
The Trade Marks Registry (TMR) is the premier body of IPO-Pakistan for registering trade and service marks. Its central record sits in Karachi, which makes the city the natural base for trademark filing and prosecution. Applicants elsewhere are served through the Islamabad, Lahore, and Peshawar offices and the IPO-Pakistan e-Services portal.
Trademark Classes: The Nice Classification
Goods and services are grouped under the international Nice Classification into 45 classes — 34 for goods and 11 for services. Each class needs its own application, so choosing the correct class (or classes) at the outset affects both protection and cost. Filing in the wrong class is one of the most common causes of objections.
Documents Required for Trademark Registration
- A clear representation of the mark (wordmark and/or logo)
- Applicant's CNIC or passport, with address and nationality
- Business proof: certificate of incorporation, partnership deed, or firm registration
- List of goods or services, with the relevant class(es)
- Power of attorney (Form TM-48) where filing through an attorney
- User affidavit where prior use of the mark is claimed
Trademark Registration Process in Pakistan: Step by Step
Trademark search (TM-55)
A search of the register checks for identical or confusingly similar marks and assesses registrability before any money is committed.
Classification
Identify the correct Nice class(es) for your goods or services.
File the application (TM-1)
A separate application is filed for each class, with the representation of the mark and, where applicable, a TM-48 power of attorney. An acknowledgement is usually issued within about 10–15 days.
Examination
The Registry examines the application. Objections — for example, on classification or similarity — may be raised by a show-cause notice, which can lead to a hearing before the Registrar.
Publication in the Trade Marks Journal
Once accepted, the mark is advertised so the public can review it.
Opposition period
Any third party may oppose the mark within two months of publication. Where there is opposition, counter-statements and hearings follow.
Registration and certificate (TM-11)
If unopposed or successfully defended, a demand notice issues, the TM-11 fee is paid per class, and the Registration Certificate is granted.
Our Trademark Registration Fee
We handle trademark registration on a single, all-inclusive professional fee of PKR 60,000, payable in three instalments of PKR 20,000. One consolidated fee covers the complete process:
- • Trademark search and availability assessment
- • Classification and application drafting
- • Official government fees and filing (Form TM-1)
- • Handling of examination reports and objections
- • Follow-up and prosecution through to the Registration Certificate (Form TM-11)
No surprise charges — your matter is actively followed up at each stage, not left pending. Fee covers a single mark in one class; where protection is needed in more than one class, we confirm the position before filing.
How Long Does Trademark Registration Take?
| Stage | What happens | Indicative time |
|---|---|---|
| Search | TM-55 availability check | A few days to ~2 weeks |
| Filing & acknowledgement | TM-1 filed; receipt issued | ~10–15 days |
| Examination | Review; objections possible | About 3 months onward |
| Publication | Advertised in the Trade Marks Journal | After acceptance |
| Opposition | Third parties may oppose | 2 months from publication |
| Registration | Demand notice → TM-11 → certificate | After the opposition window |
A straightforward matter typically takes about 6 to 8 months from filing to certificate. Objections or opposition can extend it. A few-week promise usually refers to the filing acknowledgement, not the registration itself.
Validity, Renewal, and Use of ™ and ®
A registered trademark is valid for ten years from the date of filing and can be renewed every ten years, indefinitely, on Form TM-9. Renewal should be filed before expiry; a lapsed mark can be restored within a limited window, after which it may be removed from the register.
The ™ mark may be used on an unregistered or pending mark to signal a claim, while the ® symbol may be used only once registration has actually been granted.
Trademark Infringement and Enforcement
Under sections 39 and 40 of the Trade Marks Ordinance, 2001, using an identical or confusingly similar mark on the same goods or services is infringement. Section 46 provides remedies including injunctions, damages, and accounts of profits, and under section 117 a suit is filed before the District Court. An unregistered mark relies on the narrower common-law remedy of passing off, which is harder to prove — another reason to register early.
International Protection: The Madrid Protocol
Pakistan joined the Madrid Protocol in 2021, which allows applicants to seek protection in multiple member countries through a single international application filed via WIPO. For brands that export or plan to, this is an efficient route to protection beyond Pakistan.
Common Misconceptions About Trademark Registration
Myth: A business name alone gives full protection. Reality: Use of a name, or SECP name approval, does not equal trademark rights; only registration gives enforceable exclusivity.
Myth: Registration is one-and-done. Reality: Marks must be renewed every ten years and actively monitored and enforced.
Myth: Only large companies need a trademark. Reality: Small and medium businesses often face copying sooner and have the most to lose from it.
Why Choose Our Trademark Attorneys
- Senior intellectual property attorneys handling search, filing, and prosecution
- Correct classification and drafting to reduce avoidable objections
- Representation in examination hearings and opposition proceedings
- Enforcement against infringement and counterfeiting
- Trademark services across Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, and Rawalpindi
Speak With a Trademark Registration Lawyer in Karachi
For a trademark search, filing strategy, or help with an objection or opposition, our attorneys can take your brand from search to registered certificate.
Call 0302 6644789 or start a consultation through advocates.com.pk.
Frequently Asked Questions About Trademark Registration in Pakistan
What is trademark registration in Karachi, and which law governs it?
Trademark registration is the legal process of securing exclusive rights over a brand name, logo, slogan, or other distinctive mark. In Pakistan it is governed by the Trade Marks Ordinance, 2001 and the Trade Marks Rules, 2004, and administered by the Intellectual Property Organization of Pakistan (IPO-Pakistan) through its Trade Marks Registry.
Where is the Trade Marks Registry located?
The Trade Marks Registry, the premier body for trademark registration in Pakistan, has its head office in Karachi, with IPO-Pakistan also operating offices in Islamabad, Lahore, and Peshawar. Because the Registry is based in Karachi, applicants in the city often deal directly with the central record.
How long does trademark registration take in Pakistan?
For a straightforward application, registration typically takes about six to eight months from filing to certificate. Objections or third-party opposition can extend this. An acknowledgement of filing is usually issued within about ten to fifteen days, but that is only the first step, not the registration itself.
How much does trademark registration cost in Pakistan?
We handle trademark registration on a single, all-inclusive professional fee of PKR 60,000, payable in three instalments of PKR 20,000. This covers the trademark search, classification, official government fees, application filing, handling of objections, and follow-up through to the registration certificate, so there are no surprise charges later. Where protection is needed in more than one class, we confirm the position before filing.
How many trademark classes are there, and what is the Nice Classification?
Goods and services are grouped under the international Nice Classification into 45 classes: 34 for goods and 11 for services. A separate application is filed for each class in which protection is sought, so the class affects both strategy and cost.
What documents are required to register a trademark?
Typically: a clear representation of the mark; the applicant's CNIC or passport; address and nationality details; business proof such as a certificate of incorporation, partnership deed, or firm registration; the list of goods or services with their class; a power of attorney (TM-48) if filing through an attorney; and a user affidavit where prior use is claimed.
Can I register only a logo, or also a brand name and slogan?
A trademark application can cover a brand name (wordmark), a logo, a monogram, a slogan, packaging, a label, or a combination, depending on what you want to protect. Names, logos, and slogans are often best protected as separate marks for stronger enforcement.
How long is a trademark valid, and how is it renewed?
A registered trademark is valid for ten years from the date of filing and can be renewed every ten years, indefinitely, on Form TM-9. Renewal should be applied for before expiry; a lapsed mark may be restored within a limited window, after which it can be removed from the register and claimed by others.
What is the opposition period after publication?
Once a mark is accepted and advertised in the Trade Marks Journal, any third party may oppose it within two months of publication. If no opposition is filed, or an opposition is resolved in the applicant's favour, the application proceeds to registration.
What is the difference between the ™ and ® symbols?
The ™ symbol may be used on any mark, including one that is unregistered or still pending, to signal a claim. The ® symbol may be used only after the trademark is actually registered; using it before registration is improper.
Can a foreign company register a trademark in Pakistan?
Yes. A foreign applicant can register a trademark in Pakistan but must provide a local address for service and usually appoints a local trademark attorney. Since Pakistan joined the Madrid Protocol in 2021, international applicants can also seek protection through the WIPO route.
What is the difference between a trademark and a copyright?
A trademark protects brand identifiers such as names, logos, and slogans that distinguish goods or services, and lasts indefinitely with renewal. Copyright protects original creative works such as writing, art, music, and software, and arises automatically on creation for a fixed term. They protect different things and are registered separately.
What happens if someone infringes my registered trademark?
Under sections 39 and 40 of the Trade Marks Ordinance, 2001, use of an identical or confusingly similar mark on the same goods or services is infringement. Section 46 provides remedies including injunctions, damages, and accounts of profits, and under section 117 a suit is filed before the District Court. An unregistered mark relies on the narrower remedy of passing off.
Does registering my company with the SECP protect my brand name?
No. Reserving or registering a company name with the SECP does not give trademark rights. Company-name approval and trademark protection are separate processes; only a registered trademark gives enforceable, exclusive rights in the relevant class.
Do I need a lawyer to register a trademark?
It is not mandatory, but search strategy, correct classification, drafting, and responding to objections or opposition are where applications commonly fail. Professional handling reduces avoidable refusals and protects the mark over the long term.
What kinds of marks cannot be registered?
Marks that are generic, purely descriptive, deceptive, or lacking distinctiveness are generally refused, as are marks that conflict with an earlier registered or pending mark. Distinctive, coined, or arbitrary marks are the easiest to protect.
Speak with a Trademark Registration Lawyer in Karachi
For a trademark search, filing strategy, or help with an objection or opposition, our attorneys can take your brand from search to registered certificate. Call 0302 6644789 or start a consultation through advocates.com.pk.