
Patent Law in Nepal
What is a Patent?
Under the Patent Law in Nepal, a patent is defined as “any useful invention relating to a new method of process or manufacture, operation or transmission of any material or a combination of materials, or that made on the basis of a new theory or formula.” Patents protect new inventions that are novel, non-obvious, and have industrial applicability. They grant...

Industrial Design Law in Nepal
What is a design in Nepal?
Under Nepali law, specifically the Patent, Design and Trade Mark Act 2022 (1965), a “design” is defined as the form or shape of any material manufactured in any manner. This encompasses the visual features of a product, including its shape, configuration, pattern or ornamentation. The design must be applied to an article through an industrial process...

Intellectual Property Law in Nepal
An Overview of Intellectual Property Law in Nepal
Intellectual property (IP) law in Nepal is primarily governed by two key pieces of legislation – the Copyright Act 2002 and the Patent, Design and Trademark Act 1965. These laws provide the legal framework for protecting various forms of intellectual property rights in the country. The Copyright Act covers literary, artistic and other...

IP Licensing, Enforcement and Investigation in Nepal
What is IP Licensing?
Intellectual property (IP) licensing refers to the practice of authorizing third parties to use, manufacture, sell or distribute IP assets such as patents, trademarks, designs or copyrights in exchange for agreed-upon compensation. Through licensing, IP owners can monetize their intangible assets while retaining ownership rights. Licensees gain legal permission to...

The Copyright Act, 2002
The Copyright Act, 2059 (2002) is the primary legislation governing copyright protection in Nepal. Its Major Provisions are:
Automatic copyright protection without requiring registration
Protection of both economic and moral rights of authors
Rights granted to performers, producers and broadcasting organizations
Copyright term of life of author plus 50 years after death...

Trademark Law in Nepal
What is a Trademark Law in Nepal?
A trademark is defined the trademark law in nepal, as a word, symbol, picture or combination thereof used by a firm, company or individual to distinguish their products or services from those of others. According to Section 2(c) of the Patent, Design and Trade Mark Act, 2022 (1965) of Nepal, a “trade-mark” means any word, symbol, or picture or...

The Patent, Design and Trademark Act, 1965
The Patent, Design and Trademark Act, 1965 (PDTA) stands as the cornerstone legislation governing intellectual property rights related to patents, designs, and trademarks in Nepal. Enacted in 1965 (2022 B.S.), this Act provides the legal framework for registering, protecting, and enforcing these crucial forms of intellectual property within the Nepalese jurisdiction.
What is the Patent,...

Nepali Property Law for Foreigners
Can a Foreigner buy Property in Nepal?
Foreigners are generally not permitted to directly purchase property in Nepal. The Land Act of Nepal restricts foreign ownership of land and real estate. According to Nepali law, only Nepali citizens and certain categories of companies registered in Nepal can own land and property.
However, there is an exception for foreign investors who want to...

Zoning Laws in Nepal
Zoning laws in Nepal are regulations that divide land into different zones and specify the permitted uses of property within those zones. These laws aim to control and direct the development of land and buildings in a systematic manner. Nepal has been implementing zoning regulations since the introduction of the Land Use Act in 2019.
The zoning system in Nepal categorizes land into various...

An Overview of Real Estate Law in Nepal
Real estate law in Nepal is primarily governed by the Lands Act 2021 (1964) and the National Civil Code 2017. These laws regulate ownership, transfer, partition, inheritance, and management of land and property in Nepal. The Lands Act establishes procedures for land registration, measurement, and valuation. Meanwhile, the Civil Code provides a comprehensive framework for property rights,...