Nepal

While the number of law firms present in Nepal is still relatively small, many Indian law firms provide service on Nepal law from offices in India, including Anand and Anand, Remfry & Sagar and Lall & Sethi.  

However, there have been several developments in Nepal where its intellectual property sector is concerned. Foremost of these is that Nepal’s Supreme Court has accepted some trademarks as well-known marks.  

Another important development is that a new Intellectual Property Act is now in the works. Nepal’s Patent, Design and Trademark Act, 1965 is outdated, with many of its provisions lagging behind in addressing crucial issues in relation to IP infringement.  

Even the filing of trademark, patent and design is still being done manually in the country. Nepal is also riddled with a weak IP enforcement system and lack of awareness about IP among consumers. These latest developments, however, seem promising and bode well for the future of the country’s IP ecosystem. 

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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 copyright, patent, 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.  

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 copyright. Clients include the Miraj Group from India and China’s Sinohydro Corporation.  

Founded in 1998, Global Law Associates is a specialist in the area of IP and 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 in handling international filings and prosecutions.  

Janak Bhandari & Associates, previously known as Global Trademark Protection Services, was founded in 1997 and specializes in the protection and enforcement of trademarks, patents, copyright and broadcasting, 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 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, copyright, 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 / due diligence. The firm has been actively representing local and foreign clients before the courts, 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, copyright, 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.  

Solar Law Associates is a top firm in Nepal with a well-deserved reputation in intellectual property law. The firm has extensive experience to undertake the entire work of IP matters of preparing, filing, prosecuting and registering patents, trademarks, industrial designs, copyrights, domain registrations including renewals, drafting of license 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 acts as a reliable source of expertise for IP matters.  

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 venture, 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.