To protect a brand name or logo in Pakistan, you register it as a trademark with the Intellectual Property Organisation of Pakistan (IPO-Pakistan) under the Trade Marks Ordinance, 2001. Search for similar marks, then file Form TM-1 online or at an IPO office, one application per class of goods or services. IPO's official fees are PKR 3,000 to apply and PKR 9,000 to register, so PKR 12,000 per class, plus PKR 1,000 per class if you request an official search on TM-55. Agent fees are extra. Registration lasts 10 years from the filing date and can be renewed.
Google suggests "trademark registration pakistan fee", "brand name registration pakistan" and "ipo pakistan trademark search" to searchers here, and r/pakistan and r/PakistanLawyers have threads from founders checking a name before launch and asking how long registration takes. This guide covers the basics.
Is an SECP company name enough?
No. Reserving a company name with SECP lets you incorporate under that name, but it does not give you trademark rights. A competitor could still register a similar brand for the same goods or services. If the name matters to your product, domain and social handles, check it as a trademark too.
How do you search before filing?
Search the exact name and close variations, including how it sounds, against marks in the classes you plan to use. You can also ask IPO for an official search on Form TM-55. Avoid purely descriptive names, such as the product itself, because the registry can refuse them.
How does the application work?
Create a SELF user account on IPO's online filing system with your CNIC, verified by mobile number and email, or appoint a registered trademark agent. File TM-1 with the applicant's details, a clear image of the mark if it is a logo, and a list of goods or services in one class. If you need more than one class, file separate applications and pay for each.
How long does it take?
Expect it to take many months. IPO examines the mark and may raise objections, which you answer within the time given. Once accepted, the mark is published in the Trade Marks Journal and anyone can oppose it within two months. If nobody does, IPO asks for the registration fee of PKR 9,000 on Form TM-11 and then issues the certificate. Founders on r/PakistanLawyers report that the whole process can take a year or more, so file early.
What happens after registration?
The registration date is the filing date, and protection runs for 10 years. Renewal on Form TM-12 costs PKR 15,000 under IPO's schedule and should be filed in the six months before expiry. Keep using the mark and keep evidence of use, because a mark left unused for five years can be removed.
Where does TheWing.pk fit in?
We do not file trademarks. We help founders with the steps around them: SECP and FBR registration support from our Chartered Accountant co-founder, mentors who can test your brand and launch plan, and a workspace to build from. A hot desk is PKR 31,800 a month, a day pass is PKR 1,750, and a dedicated desk is PKR 36,400 a month. This page is general information, not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
Does a Pakistani trademark protect me abroad?
No. It covers Pakistan only. Pakistan joined the Madrid Protocol in 2021, which offers a route to protection in other member countries.
Can I use ™ before registration?
Many businesses use ™ to show they claim a mark. Use ® only after the registration is granted.
Can I talk through my launch plan first?
Yes. Book a free tour at Central Mall, GT Road, DHA Phase 2, or ask about a growth session with our mentors.
