Nepal

Apex Law Chamber is recognized locally and internationally as the leading intellectual property law office in Nepal, with more than 20 years of experience. It is a full-service IP firm offering advice on all IP-related matters covering copyrights, patents, trademarks, trade secrets, design, domain names, geographical indications, IP contracts and litigation, media and entertainment law, fashion law, sports law, information technology and ecommerce, internet and privacy laws, among others. R.C. Subedi is the founder and the principal contact for IP. The firm was named Nepal IP Firm of the Year at the 2023 Asia IP Awards.  

Founded in 1987, Gandhi & Associates is one of the leading commercial firms in the country. It has experience with filing, registering and prosecuting patents, industrial designs, trademarks and copyrights. Clients include the Miraj Group from India and China’s Sinohydro Corporation.  

Founded in 1998, Global Law Associates is an IP specialist that provides its services to both local and foreign clients in the following areas: intellectual property filings, prosecution and litigation; licensing, assignment, franchising, transfer of technology, anti-counterfeiting, infringement, and others. It also has links with firms around the world handling international filings and prosecutions. 

Imperial Law Associates advises on IP matters, as well as FDI, IT and telecommunications and legal due diligence, among others. The firm has extensive media and entertainment law contacts within the country; it also has significant data privacy experience. 

The Intellectual Property Protection Bureau is, despite its name, is not a government agency but a law firm. The Kathmandu-based firm focuses on trademarks, patents and industrial design work. Saroj Kumar Dahal is the firm’s senior partner and a founder; Sanad Satyal is a founding partner. 

Janak Bhandari & Associates, previously known as Global Trademark Protection Services, was founded in 1997 and specializes in the protection and enforcement of trademarks, patents, copyrights and designs. Services offered include trademark searches, filing, prosecution and registration, renewals, licensing and franchising, IP litigation, anti-counterfeiting and anti-infringement actions. Janak Bhandari is the firm’s principal lawyer. 

Kto Inc. traces its roots more than half a century back to 1961. Today, the firm specializes in corporate laws, contract laws, financial laws, legal due diligence, intellectual property and other laws related to different industries such as finance and trade. Its client base comprises Fortune 500 companies as well as transnational companies in Asia. It is a regular contributor to the World Bank/IFC Doing Business Report. Managing partner Gourish K. Kharel is a key contact.  

Neupane Law Associates has been recognized for its work in general business law. The Kathmandu-based firm has been advising MNCs, financial institutions, governmental organizations and private individuals for over three decades. Senior partner Balkrishna Neupane is one of the country’s top litigators; he has been involved in many complex and high-profile disputes and transactions in Nepal. The firm’s clientele includes some of the world’s leading multinational companies, private equity funds, financial institutions, multilateral agencies and foreign governments.  

Founded in 1982 by four lawyers in different specializations of commercial, civil and criminal laws, Pioneer Law Associates is now a leading commercial firm in Nepal with a focus on leading foreign investment and business incorporation. Its intellectual property practice covers these areas: registration and maintenance of trademarks, copyrights and patents; IP prosecution, IP litigation, structuring, reviewing and drafting of a wide range of IP assignment and licensing arrangements, and assisting in conducting IP audit or due diligence. The firm has been actively representing local and foreign clients before the courts, and judicial and quasi-judicial authorities in the IP infringement cases. Partner Tilak Bikram Pandey is a key IP contact.  

Pradhan & Associates is a top-tier full-service commercial law firm which has been involved in high-profile transactions and has advised foreign governments, bilateral and multilateral agencies and Fortune 500 companies. It provides services in connection with trademarks, patents, copyrights and designs, as well as IP rights assignment, licensing, international franchising, domain name disputes, IP-related diligence and litigation. The firm was previously known as Pradhan, Ghimire & Associates. Managing partner Devendra Pradhan is a key IP contact. 

Prime Law Associates is a firm of young, energetic lawyers with a 700-strong corporate client list that includes Malaysia Airlines, Tibet Airlines, Himalayan Capital, Thames International College, the Lotus Group and The Burger House. Senior associate Ananda Koirala is a litigator who has been with the firm for 15 years, and is a good place to start for IP matters, as well as architectural and engineering law, project finance and hotel, resort and casino law.  

Formed in 1995, Reliance Law Firm is a full-service firm with a notable IP practice. The firm’s founder, Purna Man Shakya, sought to form a solutions-based law practice, one which is today recognized by multiple legal directories. Prakit Shrestha is a key contact for IP matters; he also handles issues relating to corporate banking, M&A, antitrust and environmental law. 

Sinha Verma Law Concern offers a wide array of commercial law and litigation services. Rajeshwor Shrestha is a key contact for IP matters; he also drafts complex commercial agreements and advises on joint ventures, foreign investment, M&A, takeovers and aviation matters, among others. 

Solar Law Associates is a top firm in Nepal with a well-deserved reputation in intellectual property law. The firm has extensive experience in undertaking the entire work of IP matters of preparing, filing, prosecuting and registering patents, trademarks, industrial designs, copyrights and domain registrations, including renewals, drafting of licence agreements, assignments; and enforcement, maintenance, rendering advice and handling litigation relating to all intellectual property rights. The firm also handles foreign investment and corporate matters, including foreign equity investment, technology transfer and loan investment. Satya Narayan Pakka is a reliable source of expertise for IP matters. 

Delhi-based Vishnu Mehra & Co. has an office in Kathmandu. Partner Rajat Malhotra, whose clients include Ericsson, Gillette, Proctor & Gamble and Samsung, is a key IP contact.  

WIPS Law Associates, formerly known as Worldwide Intellectual Property Solutions, was established in 2010. In addition to advising on IP matters, the firm assists foreign companies in handling foreign investment, joint ventures, company registration, industry registration and liaison office matters. In the course of the last 10 years, the firm has handled over 1,000 cases of intellectual property infringement and counterfeiting across a wide range of sectors.