The firm advises on the registration, protection and enforcement of intellectual property in Pakistan, acting for local businesses and for foreign brand owners protecting their marks in this market.
Enforcement is where most of the value lies. Registration is comparatively straightforward; stopping counterfeit goods and unauthorised use requires litigation, coordinated action with the authorities, and a willingness to move quickly when infringement is found.
What we do
- Trade mark searches, filing and prosecution before IPO-Pakistan
- Oppositions, rectification and cancellation proceedings
- Copyright registration and protection
- Licensing, franchising and assignment agreements
- Infringement and passing-off actions
- Anti-counterfeiting strategy and enforcement raids
- Domain name and online infringement matters
- IP due diligence in corporate transactions
How we work
Matters in this area are handled by senior counsel from first instruction to final order. We give a candid view of the merits at the outset — including where a claim is not worth running — and agree fees before work begins rather than after.
If your matter touches more than one of our practice areas, it will be dealt with by the same team rather than passed between departments.
Common Questions
Intellectual Property: frequently asked
Do I need to register a trade mark in Pakistan if it is registered abroad?
Yes. Trade mark rights are territorial, and a registration elsewhere does not by itself give enforceable rights in Pakistan. Foreign brand owners should file here, and ideally before entering the market rather than after a squatter has filed first.
What is the procedure for trademark registration in Pakistan?
An application is filed with IPO-Pakistan, ideally after a clearance search. The Registrar examines it, and if accepted the mark is advertised in the Trade Marks Journal for opposition. If no opposition succeeds, the mark is registered for ten years and can be renewed indefinitely. The process commonly takes well over a year.
How do I register copyright in Pakistan?
Copyright exists automatically when a work is created, but registration with the Copyright Office at IPO-Pakistan gives valuable evidence of ownership and its date. The application identifies the work, the author and the owner, with copies of the work. Registration is particularly worthwhile for software, designs and published content.
What can I do about trademark infringement in Pakistan?
A brand owner can send a cease-and-desist notice, sue in the Intellectual Property Tribunal for an injunction, damages and destruction of infringing goods, and in appropriate cases pursue criminal action or customs seizure of counterfeit imports. A registered mark makes each of these remedies considerably easier to obtain.
Can I register a brand name or logo in Pakistan?
Yes. Brand names, logos, slogans and combinations of them can all be registered as trade marks if they are distinctive and do not conflict with earlier marks. Registering the word mark and the logo separately usually gives broader protection than a single combined filing.
Enquiries
Discuss a intellectual property matter.
An initial consultation carries no obligation, and we will tell you plainly whether the firm is the right one for the matter.