Nepal Issues Critical Compliance Deadlines for Pending Trademark Applications Following September 2025 Civil Unrest
Summary The Government of Nepal has issued mandatory compliance deadlines for trademark applicants following the destruction of physical trademark files during the September 2025 GenZ protest. Applicants with pending applications exceeding seven years must submit required documents by February 28, 2026, while applicants whose marks completed opposition periods must apply for registration certificates by May 31, 2026, failing which applications will be automatically cancelled. Background and Context On December 1, 2025, the Department of Industry, Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Government of Nepal, issued a critical notice regarding trademark registration procedures following unprecedented civil disturbances. This notice supersedes and clarifies an earlier notification dated August 19, 2025, which had been temporarily suspended by order dated September 24, 2025. The suspension was necessitated by widespread arson, vandalism, and looting that occurred nationwide on Se...