Overview
Conflict Checker in Nepal, at a glance.
Conflict Checker overviewBefore you file, check the two things that cause most refusals in Nepal: an identical earlier mark, or a mark so similar it is likely to be refused under Section 18(1) of the Patent, Design and Trade Mark Act, 2022 (1965). The conflict checker runs your proposed name against existing registrations and recent published applications — in both Latin and Devanagari scripts, and across commonly misspelled and sound-alike variants.
Trademarks in Nepal are examined and protected class by class (Section 18A — the Nice classification system with 45 classes), and there is no use-based priority until a mark is registered. The checker therefore reports the classes where identical or similar marks already sit, and gives a plain-language risk read — so you can file with insight, or pick a different name before paying filing fees on an application that is likely to be refused.
- Legal basis
- Section 18(1), PDTA 2022 (1965)
- Classification
- Nice, 45 classes (Sec. 18A)
- Scripts
- English + Devanagari + variants
- Output
- Risk note with reasons
Why this is done from Nepal
Because this is where the system actually runs.
Why this service is delivered from NepalDATA
The register data comes from the primary source
Screening runs against the records published in Nepal's own Industrial Property Bulletin — the same source the Department works from — rather than a foreign aggregation that can lag months behind local publication.
MATCHING
Sound-alikes and transliterations, not just exact matches
Section 18(1) refusals turn on deceptive similarity, which in Nepal routinely crosses scripts. Screening here weighs phonetics, spelling variants and English ↔ Devanagari transliteration together with class overlap.
CLASSIFICATION
Class practice as the Department applies it
Nice classification is applied class by class under Section 18A with local practice on wording and class boundaries. Recommendations reflect how examiners here actually read specifications.
Process
How it works, step by step.
ProcessBefore you file, check the two things that cause most refusals in Nepal: an identical earlier mark, or a mark so similar it is likely to be refused under Section 18(1) of the Patent, Design and Trade Mark Act, 2022 (1965). The conflict checker runs your proposed name against existing registrations and recent published applications — in both Latin and Devanagari scripts, and across commonly misspelled and sound-alike variants.
Run the screen before you commit
Your proposed name is checked against registered trademarks and pending published applications at the Department of Industry — the two sources that cause most refusals: an identical earlier mark, or one so similar it fails Section 18(1).
Both scripts and variants are matched
Identity, similarity, phonetics, English ↔ Nepali/Devanagari transliteration and class overlap are weighed together — exact-match-only screens systematically miss the conflicts that surface later.
You get a risk read with reasons
Each result shows the blocking or near marks, their classes and status, and a plain-language risk note (low / medium / high) — so you can decide to file, adjust the name, or dig deeper with counsel.
Decide: file, adjust or rebrand
A screen is not a legal opinion — for commercially significant marks, pair it with professional review. But it stops you paying filing fees on an application that is likely to be refused.
- Nepal has no use-based priority until registration — first to file wins
- Applications are per class (Section 18A); conflicts are class-specific
- Run the screen before branding spend, not after
Trademarks in Nepal are examined and protected class by class (Section 18A — the Nice classification system with 45 classes), and there is no use-based priority until a mark is registered. The checker therefore reports the classes where identical or similar marks already sit, and gives a plain-language risk read — so you can file with insight, or pick a different name before paying filing fees on an application that is likely to be refused.
Documents & fees
What it takes, and what it costs.
Documents and feesWhat you need
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| The name or mark | Word, logo description or both — all spellings you intend to use |
| Your goods/services | What you sell or plan to sell, so the relevant classes can be checked |
| Markets | Nepal only, or Nepal plus expansion markets for a wider screen |
What you need for a conflict screen
Fees
| Option | Covers |
|---|---|
| Free self-screen | Instant check across 71,000+ published bulletin records on this site |
| Assisted screen | Human-reviewed search across register and publications, with a written risk note |
Screening options
Legal references
Where the rules come from.
Legal referencesGoverning law & official references
FAQ
Conflict Checker in Nepal — common questions.
Frequently asked questionsHow do I check if a trademark is already taken in Nepal?
Screen the name against registered trademarks and pending published applications at the Department of Industry. The free Trademark Word Search on this site checks 71,000+ published bulletin records instantly — an assisted screen adds human review and a written risk note.
What causes most trademark refusals in Nepal?
Section 18(1) of the Patent, Design and Trade Mark Act 2022 (1965): the mark is identical to, or confusingly similar to, an earlier mark for the same or similar goods or services. Class overlap and deceptive similarity — including across English and Devanagari scripts — drive most objections.
Is a conflict screen a legal opinion?
No. A screen identifies risk; it is not a legal opinion. For commercially significant marks, pair the screen with professional review. Its practical value is stopping filing fees being spent on an application that is likely to be refused.
Does Nepal follow first-to-file?
Yes — there is no use-based priority until a mark is registered, so the first to file for a mark generally holds the stronger position. Screening before branding spend matters for exactly this reason.
Independent by design. IP Watch Nepal is independently operated and is not affiliated with, nor endorsed by, the Department of Industry or WIPO.