Are you curious about the value of a trademark and would like to know how to register a trademark in Pakistan? Correct? Now that you know more about how to register a trademark in Pakistan, you may proceed. Continue reading to find out how to register a trademark in Pakistan, which will protect your company there and increase the amount of money you make from sales of your goods or services.
Search before you apply to register a trademark
Do you want to apply to register a trademark that is already registered or that is the same as or comparable to a previously registered trademark in Pakistan? That will be an awful mistake. Never submit an application to register a trademark without first looking up existing trademarks that are connected to your company, goods, or services. Applications submitted without conducting a thorough search may be subject to objections from the trademark registrar or from interested parties in the case of an opposition. In every situation, you should start by doing a comprehensive search of the current trademarks in order to prevent this. You may avoid wasting time, money, or business by conducting a thorough search. Thus, do your own or have a professional search done before submitting an application for registration.
Process for Pakistani trademark registration
It’s time to file your application to register a trademark in Pakistan when you’ve done your research and are confident it won’t face any opposition. There are four steps involved in the trademark registration application procedure in Pakistan:
- Application
- Registrar’s preliminary examination
- advertisement in a trademark publication to solicit public criticism
- Registering up
Pakistani Trademark Registration Application
Initially, you must submit your application in duplicate on the required form TM-1 in order to register a trademark.
You will need to fill out Form TM-1 with details about your business (including address), the trademark you wish to register, how long you have been using the brand for, and yourself as the applicant.
If you wish to claim a specific color for the trademark, you will also need to submit data. If it’s a domain name, does it have anything to do with products or services?
Recall that you can only file one application per class; if you wish to register a trademark in more than one class, you must file an application separately for each class. Trademark classes designate certain products and services within a given industry.
Documents required in Pakistan for trademark registration
The following files must be sent with your application:
- Trademark representation (six copies)
- Records related to your company
Filing a trademark registration application via legal counsel
It is possible for you to register a trademark in Pakistan independently, or you may apply through an authorized legal representative. A competent lawyer can advise you on the best course of action and assist you in submitting your application correctly to prevent the registrar’s objections or third-party claims.
If you choose to work with a specialist as your trademark counsel, you will need to submit TM-48. If you are a citizen of Pakistan and are currently in the country, you must complete Form 48 on stamp paper with the correct denomination. If you are not a Pakistani national or a foreign national, you must have properly attested power of attorney paperwork. To authorize an attorney, you must have a properly attested power of attorney form if you are a foreign national or are not physically present in Pakistan.
Pakistani trademark registration application fees
You or your attorney will pay an initial fee in the form of a pay order or bank draft once your application is complete and you’re ready to apply.
Approval of the Trademark Registration Application
The registrar’s office will provide an application number along with a confirmation that your application has been received (this could take ten to fifteen days). You will use this number as your reference in all upcoming discussions with the registrar.
Scrutiny by the Registrar
Three months following your application, an examination office is going to issue a report on it. You or your designated attorney will receive a Show Cause Notice from the investigating officer if he objects to the trademark application in any way. He might protest because of trademarks that are already registered or that are still pending, or he might object because of a violation of the law. Within two months of the Show Cause Notice’s issuing date, you must reply to the notification.
Publication in the Trademark Journal
The examination officer shall transmit your application for publication of the applied trademark in the trademark journal if he receives no objections from you or if he is pleased with your response to the Show Cause Notice. The publication’s goal is to extend an invitation to the public to submit any concerns or disagreements with the applied trademark.
Anyone with an interest may file an objection to your trademark within two months (which can be extended to four months) if they believe it to be confusing, identical, or similar. The registrar will schedule a hearing and render a legal decision; an appeal may take the matter to court.
Acceptance of Registration and Application
The registrar will approve your application if you successfully disprove the opposition or if none is filed within the allotted period. He will then issue a demand notice for the prescribed fee and provide Form TM-11 in that particular situation. The trademark will be registered (with or without conditions), and a certificate of registration will be issued by the registrar upon receipt of the fee.