Trademark registration in Bangladesh is the filing of a brand name, logo or other sign with the Department of Patents, Designs and Trademarks (DPDT) under the Trademarks Act 2009. The application names the goods or services by class, is examined, published in the Trademarks Journal for opposition and, if unopposed, registered. Registration is initially valid for seven years and renewable for ten-year periods.
This page walks through the trademark registration filing process at DPDT: what to file, in which class, and what happens from application number to certificate. If you are still deciding what can be protected, how to search for conflicts, or how to enforce a registered mark, our trade mark protection and enforcement page covers that side.
Bangladesh follows a first-to-file and use-based hybrid approach under the Trademarks Act 2009 and the Trademarks Rules. Filing early gives you a priority date, which matters when two businesses claim the same name. The process is document-light but deadline-heavy, so the key is tracking each stage. Missing a single deadline can mean starting again.
On this page
Choosing the class and specification
Bangladesh uses the Nice Classification of 45 classes: 1 to 34 for goods and 35 to 45 for services. Each application covers the goods or services you list in a class, and protection does not automatically extend to other classes. A clothing brand filing only in class 25 is not protected against the same name on cosmetics in class 3.
Write the specification to match what you actually sell and plan to sell soon. Overly vague descriptions draw objections; overly narrow ones leave gaps. Businesses with several product lines often file in multiple classes, either as separate applications or in the way the current rules permit.
Documents for trademark registration
- Applicant's name, address and nationality; company name exactly as on the RJSC certificate for entities
- Clear image of the mark, in colour if colour is claimed, plus transliteration and translation of non-English words
- Class and list of goods or services
- Date of first use in Bangladesh, or a statement that the mark is proposed to be used
- Power of attorney in favour of the filing agent
- Priority document if claiming a Paris Convention priority from a foreign filing within six months
- Prescribed filing fee
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Examination and the examination report
After filing, DPDT issues an application number and later examines the mark on absolute grounds (for example, whether it is descriptive, generic or misleading) and relative grounds (whether it conflicts with earlier marks). If there are objections, an examination report is issued and the applicant must respond, or request a hearing, within the time set. Unanswered reports lead to the application being treated as abandoned.
Good responses argue distinctiveness, narrow the specification, add a disclaimer for descriptive elements, or provide evidence of use. This stage is where most applications are won or lost.
Journal publication and opposition
Once accepted, the mark is advertised in the Trademarks Journal. Any person may file a notice of opposition within the prescribed period from the publication date, which can be extended on request within limits. If an opposition is filed, the applicant must file a counter-statement in time, and both sides may submit evidence before a hearing.
If there is no opposition, or the opposition is decided in your favour, the registration fee is paid and DPDT issues the registration certificate. The registration date relates back to the application date.
Common filing mistakes
- Filing without a prior search and discovering an earlier conflicting mark only at examination
- Filing in the founder's name when the company should own the brand
- Listing goods in the wrong class, or omitting the core product
- Missing the deadline to respond to an examination report or opposition
- Using the R symbol before the mark is actually registered
- Forgetting the renewal date seven years after filing
How the process works
- Search and clearanceWe search the DPDT records and the market for identical and similar marks in the relevant classes and advise on risk.
- Class and specificationWe select the classes and draft the goods or services description to fit your business.
- File the applicationThe application, mark image, power of attorney and fee are filed with DPDT and the application number recorded.
- Respond to examinationWe answer any examination report with arguments, amendments or a hearing request within the deadline.
- Publication and oppositionWe monitor the Trademarks Journal and manage any opposition proceedings.
- Registration and renewalAfter the registration fee is paid we obtain the certificate and diarise the renewal date.
Typical timeline: A trademark application receives a filing number quickly, but examination, journal publication and the opposition period mean registration typically takes one to a few years, depending on objections, oppositions and DPDT's processing.
How Tax & VAT Associates helps
- Pre-filing search and a written risk opinion on your proposed mark
- Class selection and specification drafting for single or multi-class filings
- Filing at DPDT for local businesses and foreign applicants, including priority claims
- Examination report responses, hearings and opposition counter-statements
- Certificate collection, recordal of assignments and renewal reminders
Frequently asked questions
How long does trademark registration take in Bangladesh?
Filing is immediate, but full registration usually takes from around a year to a few years. Time depends on examination backlog at DPDT, whether objections are raised, journal publication and whether anyone opposes. Your rights date back to the filing date once the mark is registered, so filing early is what matters most.
How long is a registered trademark valid?
Under the Trademarks Act 2009, a registration is initially valid for seven years from the application date and can be renewed for successive periods of ten years. Renewal must be filed on time with the prescribed fee; late renewal is possible only within a limited grace period with an additional fee.
Can I use my brand while the application is pending?
Yes. You can use the TM symbol to indicate a claimed mark, but you should not use the R symbol until registration. Using the brand while pending also helps build evidence of use, which can be useful if the mark is challenged.
Can a foreign company register a trademark in Bangladesh?
Yes. Foreign owners file through a local agent with a power of attorney. A Paris Convention priority claim is possible if the Bangladesh application is filed within six months of the first foreign filing. Bangladesh is not currently a Madrid Protocol member, so a national filing at DPDT is needed.
What does a trademark examination report mean?
It means the examiner has raised objections, for example that the mark is descriptive or similar to an earlier mark. It is not a refusal. You can respond in writing, amend the specification, add disclaimers or request a hearing. Responding within the deadline is essential to keep the application alive.
Do I need one application per class?
Each class has its own fee and examination, and practice on combining classes follows the current Trademarks Rules. We advise on the most cost-effective structure for your product range and file accordingly. For most small businesses, one or two core classes are enough at the start, with more added as the product range grows.
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Learn more →Last reviewed: . Bangladesh tax and regulatory rules change with each Finance Act, SRO and authority circular. This page is general guidance; confirm current requirements for your case before filing.