Secure Your Brand by Registering a Trademark in Bangladesh

Your brand is among your business's most valuable assets — it is the first signal of identity that customers recognise, the promise of quality they rely upon, and the reputation you have invested years in building. In Bangladesh's rapidly expanding commercial environment, where competition intensifies daily across manufacturing, retail, technology, garments, food and beverage, and the service sector, protecting that brand through formal trademark registration is no longer a luxury reserved for multinational corporations. It is a fundamental legal necessity for every entrepreneur, startup, established company, and international business operating in or entering the Bangladeshi market.

A trademark, in its broadest legal sense, is any distinctive sign — a word, name, logo, device, colour combination, shape, or any combination of these elements — that identifies and distinguishes the goods or services of one business from those of another. As explained in Wikipedia's comprehensive article on trademarks, a trademark functions as a badge of origin, communicating to consumers the source of a product or service and the quality associated with that source. Once formally registered, a trademark grants its owner the exclusive legal right to use that mark in connection with the registered class of goods or services, providing a powerful tool to prevent competitors, counterfeiters, and imitators from free-riding on the goodwill you have worked hard to build.

Bangladesh is a first-to-file jurisdiction — meaning that, in a conflict between two parties claiming rights over the same or a similar mark, the party who filed their trademark application first at the Department of Patents, Designs and Trademarks (DPDT) will almost invariably prevail, regardless of who used the mark first in practice. This single legal reality makes prompt trademark filing — ideally before a product launches, a brand goes public, or a business name is announced — critically important for every commercial actor in Bangladesh. Delaying registration even by a few months can result in a competitor filing a similar mark first, leaving the original user of the brand with no effective legal protection and forcing either a costly rebrand or protracted litigation.

The legal framework for trademark registration in Bangladesh is governed by the Trademarks Act, 2009 (Act No. XIX of 2009) and the Trademark Rules, 2015. The administering authority is the DPDT, which operates under the Ministry of Industries and maintains the official Register of Trademarks. Bangladesh is a signatory to the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property and a member of the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) under the World Trade Organization — both of which create internationally recognised standards for trademark protection and priority rights that benefit Bangladeshi businesses registering internationally and foreign businesses registering in Bangladesh.

Aeenx provides a complete trademark filing, prosecution, and enforcement service in Bangladesh. From conducting a thorough pre-filing availability search and preparing a professionally drafted application to managing DPDT examination responses, opposition proceedings, and registration certificate collection — our team handles the entire process so you can focus on building your brand rather than navigating bureaucracy. We initiate the application process within 24 hours of receiving your instruction and all required information, ensuring that your priority date is secured without delay. To begin the process immediately, contact our trademark registration team at Aeenx.

Bangladesh's trademark law rests on a coherent statutory foundation supplemented by international treaty obligations. Understanding the applicable laws is essential before embarking on any brand protection strategy, as they define what can be registered, who can register, the duration of protection, and the remedies available against infringers.

Primary Legislation

• The Trademarks Act, 2009 (Act No. XIX of 2009) — The principal statute governing trademark law in Bangladesh, replacing the outdated Trade Marks Act, 1940. The 2009 Act modernised Bangladesh's intellectual property framework in line with TRIPS obligations, extended registration to service marks across all 45 international classes, introduced stronger provisions against well-known mark infringement, and codified civil and criminal remedies for trademark violations. The DPDT's Registrar of Trademarks administers the Act and maintains the official Register.
• The Trademark Rules, 2015 — The procedural rules that govern the practical mechanics of trademark registration in Bangladesh, including the forms to be used, the fees payable, the timelines for examination and response, the process for publication and opposition, and the requirements for renewal and assignment. The 2015 Rules replaced the earlier Trademarks Rules, 1963 and brought Bangladesh's practice substantially into line with modern intellectual property administration.
• The Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property — Bangladesh's membership of the Paris Convention entitles applicants who have already filed a trademark in another member country to claim "convention priority" when filing in Bangladesh within six months of the original filing date. This means the Bangladesh filing is treated as if it had been made on the same date as the original foreign application — a right of critical importance for international businesses protecting their marks globally. As Wikipedia explains in its overview of the Paris Convention, this priority right prevents competitors in later-filed countries from claiming the mark in the period between the original filing and the applicant's entry into each new market.
• The TRIPS Agreement — As a World Trade Organization member, Bangladesh is bound by the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights, which sets minimum standards for trademark protection, including the requirement to protect well-known marks even without registration, to provide adequate civil and criminal remedies for infringement, and to permit border measures against counterfeit goods.
• The Copyright Act, 2000 — While trademarks protect brand identifiers, original artistic logos and design elements may simultaneously attract copyright protection under this Act. Dual protection — trademark and copyright — is legally possible and often advisable for distinctive logo designs.
• The Penal Code, 1860 & the Special Powers Act, 1974 — Criminal prosecution for trademark counterfeiting, fraudulent use of registered marks, and passing off may be pursued under these statutes in addition to the civil remedies provided by the Trademarks Act, 2009.

The Administering Authority – DPDT

All trademark registration proceedings in Bangladesh are conducted through the Department of Patents, Designs and Trademarks (DPDT), which operates under the Ministry of Industries. The DPDT's Trademark Registry Wing, based in Dhaka, is the sole authority empowered to receive applications, conduct examinations, publish marks in the official Trademarks Journal, register marks, and record assignments, licences, and renewals. Trademark applications are now submitted electronically through the DPDT's online filing portal, which generates an automatic filing receipt upon successful submission — establishing the all-important priority date from which the applicant's rights are calculated. Specialist guidance from a qualified trademark registration service ensures that your application is filed correctly on the first occasion, minimising the risk of examination objections that extend timelines and increase costs.

The Trademarks Act, 2009 adopts a broad definition of what constitutes a registrable trademark, reflecting the diversity of commercial identifiers that businesses use in the modern marketplace. Understanding which category of mark best captures your brand identity is important both for determining the strength of your trademark and for ensuring that your application is framed correctly at the DPDT.

Word Marks

A word mark protects a specific word, name, phrase, or combination of words in plain text, without reference to any particular font, colour, or stylisation. Word marks offer the broadest protection of all trademark forms because they prevent any use of the registered word(s) in any visual presentation. Examples include a company name, a product name, or a brand slogan. A word mark is the strongest foundation of a trademark portfolio and is typically the first mark a business should file.

Device Marks (Logo Marks)

A device mark, or logo mark, protects a specific graphical design, illustration, emblem, or artistic representation. If your brand uses a distinctive visual symbol — whether abstract, figurative, or a stylised version of letters — a device mark registration secures exclusive rights over that visual element. Note that registration of a combined mark (word plus device) in Bangladesh limits protection to the exact combination as filed; for maximum protection, it is advisable to file the word and device elements as separate applications.

Combined Marks

A combined mark — also referred to as a composite mark — consists of both a word element and a device (logo) element presented together as a single unified mark. Combined marks are common in practice and are protectable as a single registration, though, as noted, the exclusive right attaches to the mark in the precise form it is registered. Brand owners requiring flexible protection across different presentations of their identity are advised to file separate word-mark and device-mark applications in addition to any combined-mark filing.

Service Marks

Bangladesh's extension of the Nice Classification system to all 45 classes — including Classes 35 through 45, which cover services — means that service-based businesses can now register marks to protect their brand in connection with specific services. A service mark is functionally identical to a product trademark, but distinguishes and identifies services rather than physical goods. Businesses in banking, IT, healthcare, logistics, education, hospitality, and other service sectors should register service marks in the relevant class or classes. As Wikipedia explains in its article on service marks, the ℠ symbol denotes a service mark that has been applied for but not yet registered, and ® may be used once registration is complete.

Well-Known Marks

Under Sections 8 and 9 of the Trademarks Act, 2009, marks that are well-known in Bangladesh or internationally — even if not formally registered in Bangladesh — receive a degree of protection against identical or deceptively similar marks being registered by others. The DPDT may refuse registration of a new mark if it would conflict with a well-known mark, and the owner of a well-known mark may oppose or seek cancellation of a conflicting registration. However, formal registration in Bangladesh remains strongly advisable even for internationally well-known brands, because relying on well-known-mark status requires demonstrating the requisite level of recognition through evidence — a process that is significantly more burdensome than maintaining a valid registration.

Non-Conventional Marks

The Trademarks Act, 2009, in principle, accommodates non-conventional marks such as those based on colour, shape, sound, or scent, though the registration of such marks at the DPDT remains relatively uncommon in practice due to the heightened distinctiveness requirements they must satisfy. Businesses with distinctive non-conventional brand elements — such as a signature colour scheme, a distinctive product shape, or a brand sound — should consult a specialist trademark adviser to explore whether such elements are registrable and how best to frame the application.

Bangladesh follows the Nice Classification — the internationally standardised system for categorising goods and services for trademark registration purposes, currently in its 12th edition. The Nice Classification divides all commercial goods and services into 45 distinct classes: Classes 1 through 34 cover physical goods (ranging from chemicals and pharmaceuticals to clothing, electronics, and food products), and Classes 35 through 45 cover services (spanning advertising, financial services, healthcare, telecommunications, legal services, and hospitality, among others).

Single-Class Filing Requirement

A critical operational rule in Bangladesh is that multi-class trademark applications are not permitted. Every trademark application filed with the DPDT must specify only a single class of goods or services. If a brand owner wishes to protect a mark across multiple classes — for example, a company that manufactures garments (Class 25) and also operates an online retail platform (Class 35) — it must file separate applications for each class, paying the requisite government fee for each application individually. This rule significantly affects the cost and planning of comprehensive brand protection strategies for diversified businesses.

Importance of Correct Classification

Selecting the correct Nice class for your goods or services is one of the most consequential decisions in the trademark registration process. An incorrect classification can result in the application being accepted for the wrong class, leaving your actual commercial activities unprotected, or the application being rejected for the correct class because the specification of goods/services is inconsistently drafted. The DPDT examiner scrutinises the specification of goods or services against the selected class, and discrepancies can be raised as objections that delay registration. Aeenx's trademark team conducts a detailed classification analysis for every client's goods and services before filing, ensuring that each application is directed to the correct class with a properly drafted specification. Contact our trademark classification specialists to determine the right filing strategy for your business.

Commonly Filed Classes in Bangladesh

• Class 25 — Clothing, footwear, and headgear (critical for Bangladesh's garment and fashion sector)
• Class 30 — Coffee, tea, cocoa, sugar, rice, tapioca, sago, flour and preparations made from cereals, bread, pastry, confectionery, ice; this class is important for Bangladesh's food processing industry
• Class 35 — Advertising, business management, business administration, and office functions (essential for service businesses, agencies, and e-commerce platforms)
• Class 36 — Insurance, financial affairs, monetary affairs, and real estate (relevant for banks, MFIs, and fintech companies)
• Class 38 — Telecommunications (important for telecom and digital communication businesses)
• Class 41 — Education, training, entertainment, and sports activities
• Class 42 — Scientific and technological services, computer programming, and software-as-a-service (SaaS)
• Class 44 — Medical services, veterinary services, and hygienic and beauty care for humans or animals

A trademark search — conducted before any application is filed — is the single most important and cost-effective step in the trademark registration journey. Filing an application without first searching the DPDT register for conflicting marks is one of the most common and expensive mistakes a business can make. If an application is filed for a mark that is identical or deceptively similar to an already-registered mark in the same class, the DPDT examiner will raise an objection citing the earlier mark. Responding to such an objection requires legal argument and, frequently, results in the application being refused — meaning all the filing fees paid are lost, registration is delayed, and the business may also face an infringement claim from the earlier mark's owner.

What a Trademark Search Covers

A thorough trademark availability search examines the DPDT's register for all word marks that are identical to or phonetically, visually, or conceptually similar to your proposed mark within the relevant Nice class or classes. The search also identifies pending applications (marks applied for but not yet registered) that could mature into registered conflicts and interfere with your application's progress. For combined marks (word plus logo), the word elements are searchable through the DPDT database, though logo-only or device-only searches are more limited in automated systems. Aeenx's trademark team also conducts a broader commercial landscape review — examining business registrations, domain names, and marketplace usage — to provide a holistic view of potential conflicts that go beyond the register itself.

What "Deceptively Similar" Means Under the Trademarks Act, 2009

Section 2(1)(d) of the Trademarks Act, 2009 defines a mark as deceptively similar to another if it so nearly resembles that other mark as to be likely to deceive or cause confusion among consumers. The assessment of deceptive similarity takes into account phonetic similarity (how the marks sound when spoken aloud), visual similarity (how the marks appear to the eye), and conceptual similarity (whether the marks convey the same or similar ideas). A mark need not be identical to a registered mark in order to be refused on similarity grounds — even a close phonetic resemblance in the relevant language can be sufficient to attract a DPDT objection. A professional pre-filing search, combined with expert legal assessment of similarity risk, provides the business intelligence needed to make an informed decision about proceeding with a proposed mark, modifying it to reduce conflict risk, or selecting an entirely different mark before any application fee is spent.

Aeenx provides comprehensive trademark search and legal risk assessment services, covering the DPDT register, pending applications, and the commercial landscape. We typically deliver search results and our legal risk opinion within 24–48 hours of instruction. To commission a trademark search before filing your application, contact our brand protection team today.

Trademark applications in Bangladesh are filed electronically through the DPDT's online filing system. The moment a correctly completed application is submitted and the system records it, the applicant acquires a priority date — the legal starting point from which the applicant's rights in the mark are measured. For this reason, speed and accuracy in the filing process are equally critical: a deficient application can be objected to or rejected, whereas a well-prepared application filed promptly secures the priority date without delay. Aeenx files trademark applications within 24 hours of receiving complete instructions and documentation from the client, ensuring that no time is lost between the decision to file and the acquisition of a priority date.

Documents and Information Required for Filing

• Representation of the Mark: A clear, high-resolution image of the trademark as it is to be registered — whether a word mark (typed text), device mark (logo image in JPG or PNG format), or combined mark.
• Applicant Details: Full legal name, address, nationality, and legal status (individual, partnership, company, society, or trust) of the applicant. For companies, the registration number and type of company should be included.
• Goods and Services Specification: A precise description of the goods or services for which the mark will be used, clearly falling within the selected Nice class. Vague or overly broad specifications are a common cause of DPDT objections.
• Date of First Use (if applicable): If the mark has already been used in commerce in Bangladesh prior to the application date, the date of first use should be declared. This information is relevant to priority claims in opposition proceedings.
• Power of Attorney (Form TM-10): Where the application is filed through a trademark agent or legal representative (which is mandatory for foreign applicants and strongly advisable for domestic applicants), a duly executed Power of Attorney authorising the agent to act on behalf of the applicant must be submitted. For domestic applicants, a simple signed POA on the applicant's letterhead suffices. For foreign applicants, the POA must be on the foreign company's letterhead, signed by an authorised officer, and — depending on the circumstances — notarised and/or legalised.
• Priority Document (if claiming convention priority): Applicants claiming priority under the Paris Convention must submit a certified copy of the earlier foreign application, together with an authenticated English translation if the original is in another language, within the six-month convention priority window.

Government Fees

The official government filing fee for a single-class trademark application at the DPDT, as of the current fee schedule, is approximately BDT 3,500 per class. Upon successful examination and acceptance, a separate registration fee and publication fee become payable (the DPDT issues a TMR-05 notice with the publication fee demand, which must be paid within one month using Form TMR-09 — a critically important deadline that, if missed, can result in the application being stalled). There is also a potential association fee of USD 20 per cited mark, payable at a late stage if the DPDT identifies similarity between the applicant's pending application and other marks in the applicant's own portfolio. Total government fees over the full lifecycle of a single-class registration are approximately USD 300–360, excluding professional service charges. Aeenx provides a transparent all-inclusive quotation at the outset, so there are no hidden costs. Contact our trademark filing team for a detailed fee breakdown.

Filing Receipt and Priority Date

Upon successful submission of the online application, the DPDT system automatically generates an official filing receipt containing the application number and filing date. This receipt is the documentary evidence of the applicant's priority date and must be retained throughout the registration process. The priority date is the single most important date in trademark law — it determines who has earlier rights in a conflict between two similar marks.

After a trademark application is filed at the DPDT, it enters the examination stage. The Registrar — or an examiner acting on behalf of the Registrar — conducts a two-part review of the application: first against absolute grounds for refusal (inherent issues with the mark itself), and then against relative grounds (conflicts with earlier registered marks or pending applications on the register).

Absolute Grounds for Refusal (Sections 8 & 9 of the Trademarks Act, 2009)

A trademark application will be refused on absolute grounds if the mark falls into any of the following categories. Marks that are devoid of distinctive character — meaning marks that are purely generic, descriptive of the goods or services, or that consist only of common words in the relevant trade — are refused unless the applicant can demonstrate that the mark has acquired distinctiveness through extensive use in commerce. Marks that are contrary to public order or morality, or that are likely to deceive consumers as to the nature, quality, or geographical origin of the goods or services, will also be refused. Marks containing or consisting of certain prohibited emblems — national flags, government seals, insignia of international organisations — are similarly non-registrable. Section 6 of the Trademarks Act, 2009, sets out the positive requirements for registrability: a mark must contain at least one of a distinctive name, an invented word, a word with no direct reference to the character or quality of the goods or services, or other elements that distinguish it from the marks of other traders.

Relative Grounds for Refusal (Section 10 of the Trademarks Act, 2009)

Even a mark that is inherently distinctive may be refused on relative grounds if it is identical or deceptively similar to an earlier registered mark for identical or similar goods or services. The DPDT examiner searches the register for earlier conflicting marks and raises objections where a conflict is identified. If an objection is raised on relative grounds, the applicant has an opportunity to respond — typically within 60 days of receiving the examination report — by submitting written arguments explaining why the proposed mark is sufficiently distinguishable from the cited earlier mark, providing evidence of distinctiveness or prior use, or seeking to negotiate a consent letter from the owner of the earlier mark.

Responding to DPDT Examination Objections

Receiving a DPDT examination report does not mean the application is refused — it means that the examiner has identified issues that must be addressed before the application can proceed. Responding effectively to objections is one of the most technically demanding aspects of trademark prosecution and requires detailed knowledge of the Act, the DPDT's examination practice, and relevant precedents. Aeenx's trademark prosecution team manages examination responses as a core part of our trademark registration service, providing carefully drafted written arguments and, where necessary, attending hearings at the DPDT on behalf of clients. Contact our trademark prosecution team if your application has received a DPDT objection and you require specialist assistance.

Once the DPDT's Registrar accepts a trademark application — whether absolutely (without conditions) or conditionally (subject to limitations) — the accepted mark is forwarded to the Bangladesh Government (BG) Press for official publication in the Trademarks Journal. This is a statutory requirement under Section 17 of the Trademarks Act, 2009, and serves the public interest by providing notice that a trademark application has been accepted and is in the process of being registered, thereby affording any interested third party the opportunity to object to the registration before it is granted.

The 60-Day Opposition Window

From the date of publication in the Trademarks Journal, any person — whether an individual, company, or other legal entity — who believes that the published mark conflicts with their existing trademark rights or would otherwise cause them detriment may file a notice of opposition with the DPDT. The opposition must be filed using Form TM-05, accompanied by the prescribed government fee, within 60 days of the mark's publication. This 60-day window is an absolute statutory deadline — opposition notices filed after the expiry of this period will be rejected without being considered. Businesses that monitor the Trademarks Journal regularly can identify potentially conflicting marks at the publication stage and take action before registration is granted, rather than having to initiate the more complex and expensive process of seeking cancellation of an already-registered mark.

If Your Mark Faces Opposition

Where a notice of opposition is filed against your application, a copy will be served on you by the DPDT, and you will be required to file a counter-statement within two months of receipt. The counter-statement must set out your grounds for contesting the opposition and asserting your right to register the mark. After the exchange of statements, the Registrar may request further evidence from both parties and, if the matter remains unresolved, will determine the opposition at a formal hearing. Opposition proceedings can extend the overall registration timeline by six to twelve months or longer. Proactive trademark watching — monitoring the Trademarks Journal to identify and oppose problematic marks published by competitors — is an important brand protection strategy that Aeenx offers as an ongoing service. For assistance with opposition proceedings, whether defending your application against opposition or opposing a third party's application, contact our trademark litigation team.

If no opposition is filed within the 60-day publication period — or if opposition proceedings are concluded in the applicant's favour — the DPDT's Registrar proceeds to grant the registration and issues an official Certificate of Registration. The certificate is the definitive documentary evidence of the registered trademark owner's exclusive rights and is the instrument relied upon in any enforcement action, licensing negotiation, or due diligence process.

Duration of Trademark Registration in Bangladesh

A trademark registration in Bangladesh is initially valid for seven years from the date of filing the application (not the date of grant), as provided by the Trademarks Act, 2009. After the initial seven-year period, the registration must be renewed for successive periods of ten years each, upon payment of the renewal fee before the expiry of the current registration period. There is no limit to the number of times a trademark can be renewed — meaning that a registered trademark can, in principle, be maintained indefinitely, as long as the renewal fees are paid on time and the mark remains in use. This is why a registered trademark, once secured, is often described as a perpetual business asset. The ® symbol may be used in Bangladesh only once the trademark has been formally registered; use of ® before registration is granted constitutes a misrepresentation and may attract legal liability.

Rights Conferred by Registration

Registration of a trademark in Bangladesh confers the following core rights on the registered proprietor. First, the exclusive right to use the registered mark in connection with the goods or services for which it is registered, within Bangladesh. Second, the right to institute civil proceedings for trademark infringement against any person who uses an identical or deceptively similar mark in connection with the same or similar goods or services without the proprietor's consent. Third, the right to seek customs seizure of imported goods that bear an infringing mark, through an application to the Customs authorities. Fourth, the right to assign or license the trademark to others — whether exclusively or non-exclusively — in return for commercial consideration. Fifth, the right to claim priority in the event of a dispute with a later filer of a similar mark. As Wikipedia's article on trademarks notes, trademark registration transforms an informal commercial identifier into a formal, legally enforceable property right that can be bought, sold, licensed, and litigated upon like any other form of intellectual property.

A trademark registration does not last forever automatically — it requires active maintenance through timely renewal. Missing a renewal deadline can result in the registration lapsing, the mark being removed from the register, and the loss of all the exclusive rights that registration provides. Given that many businesses invest years and substantial resources in building brand equity around a registered mark, the consequences of an inadvertent failure to renew can be commercially catastrophic.

Renewal Timeline and Procedure

The first renewal of a Bangladesh trademark is due seven years from the original application date, as the initial registration period runs for seven years. Thereafter, each renewal extends protection for a further ten years. The renewal application must be filed before the expiry of the current registration period using Form TM-12, accompanied by the renewal fee (currently BDT 3,500 per class per renewal). Under the Trademark Rules, 2015, a renewal application may be filed up to three months before the expiry date. Where a deadline is missed, Bangladesh law provides a grace period of up to one year after expiry within which the mark can be restored upon payment of a surcharge restoration fee. After the expiration of the restoration window, the mark is removed from the register and becomes available for registration by a third party.

Non-Use and Removal from the Register

Even where a mark is kept renewed and in good standing on the register, it may be vulnerable to cancellation on the ground of non-use. Section 42 of the Trademarks Act, 2009, provides that a registered trademark may be removed from the register in respect of any goods or services for which it has not been used in Bangladesh for a continuous period of five years from the date of registration. An aggrieved third party may apply to the DPDT to have a non-used mark cancelled. For this reason, registered trademark owners must ensure that they actually use the registered mark in commerce in connection with the registered goods or services, and should maintain evidence of such use (invoices, packaging, advertisements, website screenshots) to defend against any future non-use cancellation action. Aeenx offers a trademark renewal reminder and management service to ensure that none of our clients' trademark registrations are inadvertently allowed to lapse. Contact our trademark management team to enrol in the renewal monitoring service.

International businesses, multinational corporations, expatriate entrepreneurs, and diaspora brand owners face specific considerations when registering trademarks in Bangladesh. Understanding these requirements in advance significantly reduces delays and avoids the costly procedural errors that commonly arise when foreign applicants navigate an unfamiliar national trademark system without local specialist guidance.

Mandatory Local Agent Appointment

All foreign applicants — meaning individuals or entities whose permanent address or principal place of business is located outside Bangladesh — are required by the DPDT to appoint a locally registered trademark agent or legal representative to file and prosecute their trademark application in Bangladesh. This mandatory agency requirement applies throughout the entire registration process, including the filing of the initial application, responding to examination objections, managing publication and opposition, and collecting the registration certificate. The agent appointment is formalised through a Power of Attorney (Form TM-10), which must be executed on the foreign company's letterhead and signed by an authorised officer. The POA must then be notarised by a local Notary Public and, in most cases, legalised by the Bangladesh Embassy or High Commission in the applicant's home country. An authentic English translation must accompany any POA originally drafted in a language other than Bangla or English. Aeenx acts as a registered local trademark agent for international clients across all sectors and jurisdictions. Contact our international trademark team to appoint Aeenx as your Bangladesh trademark agent.

Convention Priority under the Paris Convention

Bangladesh's membership of the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property allows applicants who have first filed a trademark application in another member country to claim priority in Bangladesh within six months of the original filing date. This convention priority right is of significant practical value to international brands: by claiming priority, the Bangladesh application is treated as if it had been filed on the same date as the original foreign application, which means any competing marks filed in Bangladesh after the original foreign filing date — but before the Bangladesh application — cannot take priority over the claiming applicant's mark. To claim convention priority when filing in Bangladesh, the applicant must submit a certified copy of the original foreign application, clearly showing the filing date and application number, together with a certified English translation if the original is not in Bangla or English.

Bangladesh's Position on the Madrid Protocol

As of the date of this guide, Bangladesh has not yet acceded to the Madrid Protocol — the international treaty administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) that allows trademark owners to seek protection in multiple member countries through a single centrally filed "international application." As Wikipedia explains in its overview of the Madrid System, accession to the Protocol significantly simplifies international trademark portfolio management for brand owners. Bangladesh's government has been engaged in legislative amendments to enable accession as part of its broader intellectual property law modernisation programme, but direct national filing through the DPDT remains the only route for trademark registration in Bangladesh at present. This makes engaging a competent Bangladesh-based trademark agent — such as Aeenx — an indispensable step for any foreign brand seeking protection in the country.

A registered trademark in Bangladesh is not merely an operational business tool — it is a transferable item of intellectual property that can generate commercial value independently through assignment (outright transfer of ownership) and licensing (granting permitted use rights to third parties while retaining ownership). Both routes are expressly recognised and regulated under the Trademarks Act, 2009, and both require formal recording with the DPDT to be effective against third parties.

Trademark Assignment

A trademark assignment is the permanent transfer of the ownership of a registered trademark from one party (the assignor) to another (the assignee). An assignment may be made with or without the goodwill of the business associated with the mark. Under the Trademarks Act, 2009, an assignment of a registered trademark must be in writing and recorded with the DPDT. An application for recordal of an assignment must be submitted to the DPDT with a copy of the assignment agreement and payment of the prescribed government fee. Once recorded, the assignee becomes the registered proprietor on the official Trademark Register and is entitled to all the rights of registration. Unrecorded assignments are not effective against third parties, meaning that a purchaser of a trademark who fails to record the assignment at the DPDT may find their ownership rights challenged in enforcement proceedings.

Trademark Licensing

A trademark licence allows the registered owner (licensor) to authorise a third party (licensee) to use the registered mark in connection with specified goods or services, in return for a royalty or other consideration, while the licensor retains ownership of the mark. Licences may be exclusive (the licensor cannot grant any other licensee the same rights and may be excluded from using the mark themselves in the licensed territory) or non-exclusive (the licensor can grant the same or similar rights to multiple licensees). As Wikipedia explains in its article on trademark licensing, a well-structured trademark licence agreement is a critical commercial instrument that enables businesses to expand their brand's reach through franchising, distribution, joint venture, and co-branding arrangements, while maintaining legal control over the brand's quality standards. Trademark licence agreements in Bangladesh should be recorded at the DPDT to provide public notice and to protect the licensor's ability to enforce the mark against third-party infringers. Aeenx assists clients with drafting, negotiating, and recording trademark licence and assignment agreements. Contact our IP transactions team for expert guidance on trademark commercialisation.

Trademark infringement occurs when a person uses, without the consent of the registered proprietor, a mark that is identical or deceptively similar to the registered trademark in connection with identical or similar goods or services for which the trademark is registered. Under the Trademarks Act, 2009, the registered proprietor of a trademark has a range of civil and criminal remedies available to address infringement, and the ability to pursue these remedies is one of the most powerful advantages of formal trademark registration over reliance on unregistered rights alone.

Civil Remedies for Trademark Infringement

A registered trademark owner may institute a civil suit before the appropriate court seeking an injunction to immediately restrain the infringer from further use of the infringing mark. The court may grant an interim (temporary) injunction before the full hearing of the suit, which is critical for stopping ongoing harm to the brand while the case is resolved. In addition to an injunction, the trademark owner may claim damages or an account of profits — the monetary equivalent of the loss suffered due to the infringement, or alternatively the profits made by the infringer through their unauthorised use of the mark. The court may also order the delivery-up or destruction of infringing goods, labels, packaging, or promotional materials.

Criminal Prosecution

Beyond civil remedies, the Trademarks Act, 2009 provides for criminal prosecution of parties who fraudulently apply a registered trademark to goods or services, or who counterfeit a registered mark. Criminal liability may result in imprisonment and/or fines. Criminal proceedings may be initiated by filing a First Information Report (FIR) with the police or by filing a complaint directly in the Magistrate's court. Criminal enforcement is particularly valuable in cases of mass counterfeiting of fast-moving consumer goods, garments, electronics, or pharmaceuticals, where civil litigation alone may be too slow to provide effective relief.

Border Measures – Customs Seizure

Counterfeit goods bearing a registered trademark may be seized at Bangladesh's ports of entry by customs authorities, preventing the importation of infringing products into the country. Trademark owners who believe their registered marks are being used on imported counterfeit goods can apply to the Customs authorities under the Customs Act, 1969, to record their trademark registrations and request interception of suspect shipments. Border measures are an increasingly important tool for brands in the garments, electronics, cosmetics, and consumer goods sectors.

Passing Off

Even an unregistered trademark may receive limited legal protection in Bangladesh through the common law action of passing off, which prevents a business from misrepresenting its goods or services as those of another trader. As Wikipedia's article on passing off explains, the tort requires the claimant to establish goodwill in the mark, a misrepresentation by the defendant likely to deceive consumers, and damage (actual or likely) resulting from the misrepresentation. Passing off proceedings are significantly more complex, expensive, and uncertain than infringement actions based on a registered trademark — providing yet another compelling reason to register your trademark promptly. Aeenx provides comprehensive trademark enforcement services, from cease-and-desist correspondence to civil litigation and criminal complaint filings. Contact our trademark enforcement team if your brand is being infringed in Bangladesh.

The following checklist provides a structured guide for any individual, startup, company, or international brand seeking to register a trademark in Bangladesh. Following each step methodically — with the support of a qualified trademark legal service — significantly reduces the risk of procedural delays, examination objections, and post-registration disputes.

Brand Strategy and Pre-Filing Decisions

• Clearly identify the mark you wish to register — whether a word, logo, combined mark, or other form. If you have not yet finalised your brand identity, consider engaging a brand designer before filing so that the mark filed is the mark you intend to use commercially long term.
• Determine the Nice class or classes that cover your goods or services. Remember that Bangladesh does not permit multi-class applications — a separate application must be filed for each class. For multi-sector businesses, plan your class-by-class filing strategy from the outset.
• Ensure the proposed mark is distinctive — avoid purely generic, descriptive, or geographically descriptive terms that will struggle to pass the DPDT examination on absolute grounds.
• Commission a comprehensive trademark availability search with the DPDT register before filing. Do not file without a search — the cost of a search is a fraction of the cost of a rejected application or an infringement dispute.
• Engage a qualified trademark registration service in Bangladesh at the earliest stage to advise on the strength of your mark, conduct the availability search, and manage the entire filing and prosecution process.

Documentation Preparation

• Prepare a high-resolution, clear image of the trademark (for logo or combined marks). Word marks should be clearly typed in the Latin or Bangla script as they are to be registered.
• Gather full applicant details: legal name, complete address, nationality, and legal status (individual, company, society, or trust) of the trademark owner.
• Draft a precise goods and services specification for the selected Nice class. The specification must accurately reflect your actual and intended commercial activities within that class.
• Execute the Power of Attorney (Form TM-10) if filing through an agent. For foreign applicants, ensure the POA is notarised and, where required, legalised before sending to the Bangladesh-based agent.
• If claiming Paris Convention priority, obtain a certified copy of the original foreign application and, if not in Bangla or English, a certified translation.

Filing and Fee Payment

• Submit the trademark application online through the DPDT e-filing portal. Retain the automatically generated filing receipt — it contains the application number and filing date, which constitute the official priority date.
• Pay the government filing fee (approximately BDT 3,500 per class) as part of the online submission process.
• Monitor correspondence from the DPDT after filing. Examination reports and the critical TMR-05 publication fee notice carry strict response and payment deadlines — missing these deadlines can cause the application to stall or be treated as abandoned.

Examination, Publication, and Registration

• Respond to any DPDT examination objection within 60 days of receiving the examination report. Prepare a detailed written argument addressing each objection raised, supported by evidence of distinctiveness or prior use if relevant.
• Pay the publication fee promptly upon receipt of the TMR-05 notice — within one month of receipt. This deadline is critical and failure to comply can result in the application being stalled.
• Monitor the Trademarks Journal upon publication of your mark. If you become aware of a competing application published in the Journal that conflicts with your existing rights, file an opposition notice (Form TM-05) within 60 days of publication.
• Collect the Certificate of Registration from the DPDT upon completion of the process, and place it in secure safekeeping. The registration certificate is your primary evidentiary document in any infringement enforcement action.

Post-Registration Maintenance

• Begin using the ® symbol in connection with your registered mark upon receiving the Certificate of Registration. Do not use ® before registration is formally granted — use ™ during the application-pending period instead.
• Use the registered mark actively in commerce in connection with the registered goods or services. Non-use for a continuous period of five years from the date of registration creates vulnerability to cancellation under Section 42 of the Trademarks Act, 2009.
• Record any change in the ownership of the trademark (through assignment) or authorised use (through licence agreement) at the DPDT within a reasonable time. Unrecorded transactions are not enforceable against third parties.
• Diarise and monitor the renewal deadlines — seven years from application date for the first renewal, then every ten years thereafter. Engage a trademark management service to ensure that renewal deadlines are never missed.
• Monitor the market for infringers and the Trademarks Journal for conflicting new applications. Proactive brand watching is an essential and ongoing responsibility of a trademark owner.

How long does trademark registration take in Bangladesh?

The overall timeline from filing to receipt of the Certificate of Registration is typically seven to eighteen months for straightforward applications. A smooth application with no examination objection and no opposition can complete in approximately seven months. Where the DPDT raises an examination objection requiring a written response, or where a third party files an opposition during the 60-day publication window, the timeline extends to twelve to twenty-four months or longer. There is no official expedited or fast-track registration route at the DPDT at present — the priority date, however, is secured immediately upon filing, meaning your legal rights begin from Day 1 even while registration is pending.

Can I use the ® symbol before my trademark is registered?

No. The ® symbol may only be used once the trademark has been formally registered and the Certificate of Registration has been issued by the DPDT. Using ® before registration constitutes a misrepresentation and may attract legal consequences. During the application-pending period, the ™ symbol (for goods marks) or ℠ symbol (for service marks) may legitimately be used to indicate that a trademark application is pending.

What happens if someone files the same trademark before me?

Bangladesh operates a strict first-to-file system. If a third party files an identical or confusingly similar mark before you in the same Nice class, that earlier applicant will have priority over your later application in the same class. This underscores the critical importance of filing as early as possible — ideally before the brand is publicly announced or the product launches. In limited circumstances, an earlier user of an unregistered mark may be able to challenge a later filer's registration through opposition or cancellation proceedings, but this is a significantly more difficult and expensive route than maintaining a valid registration based on an early filing date.

Can a trademark be registered in multiple classes?

Yes — but not through a single application. Bangladesh does not permit multi-class trademark applications. A separate application must be filed for each Nice class of goods or services for which protection is sought, and a separate government fee must be paid for each application. Brand owners with commercial activities spanning multiple classes — for example, a company manufacturing garments (Class 25) and operating a retail store (Class 35) — should file separate applications for each relevant class as part of a coordinated brand protection strategy.

What is the cost of trademark registration in Bangladesh?

The official government fee for a single-class trademark application is approximately BDT 3,500 at the time of filing, plus a separate publication fee payable upon acceptance (notified via the TMR-05 demand notice). Total official government fees over the full registration lifecycle for a single class are approximately USD 300–360. Where the applicant holds multiple similar marks in the same class, a DPDT association fee of USD 20 per cited mark may also become payable at a late stage in the process. Professional service charges for legal representation are additional and vary by service provider. Aeenx provides transparent all-in quotations before any work is commenced. Contact our trademark team for a current fee schedule.

Does trademark registration in Bangladesh also protect my brand abroad?

No. A Bangladesh trademark registration provides legal protection exclusively within Bangladesh. To protect your brand in other countries, separate trademark applications must be filed in each jurisdiction where protection is required, either directly through each country's national trademark office or — where the relevant country is a member — through the WIPO Madrid System for international trademark registration. As Wikipedia explains in its overview of intellectual property, IP rights are fundamentally territorial — they exist only in the jurisdictions where they have been formally registered or where they have acquired protection through use. Aeenx assists Bangladeshi businesses with international trademark filing strategies and can coordinate filings in multiple jurisdictions.

What is the difference between a trademark and a trade name?

A trade name (also called a business name or company name) is the name under which a business is registered and operates — for example, a company's registered name at the RJSC. A trademark, by contrast, is a sign used to identify specific goods or services in the marketplace, and may be the same as or different from the company's trade name. Registering a company name at the RJSC does not automatically grant trademark rights over that name — a separate trademark application must be filed with the DPDT to secure exclusive trademark protection. Many businesses are surprised to discover that another trader has registered their company name as a trademark in an overlapping Nice class, having assumed that company name registration conferred equivalent protection.

Trademark registration in Bangladesh is a multi-stage, time-sensitive process that requires specialist legal knowledge, meticulous attention to DPDT procedural requirements, and strategic thinking about how your brand identity translates into the most effective intellectual property protection framework. Whether you are registering your first trademark for a new startup, expanding an existing portfolio to cover additional classes, managing a multi-country brand protection strategy, or enforcing an existing registered mark against infringers, engaging an experienced and dedicated trademark registration and enforcement service in Bangladesh is the most effective investment you can make in your brand's long-term value and security.

Aeenx provides comprehensive trademark services to domestic businesses, international brands, startups, corporations, SMEs, and individual entrepreneurs across Bangladesh and from abroad. We initiate applications within 24 hours of receiving complete instructions and all required information — ensuring that your priority date is secured without delay. Our team handles every stage of the process, from pre-filing availability searches and application preparation, through DPDT examination and opposition proceedings, to registration certificate collection, post-registration monitoring, and enforcement action when required.

Our Trademark Services Include

• Trademark availability search and legal risk assessment — delivered within 24–48 hours of instruction, covering the DPDT register, pending applications, and the commercial landscape.
• Nice Classification analysis and trademark filing strategy — identifying the correct class or classes for your goods or services and advising on the most cost-effective multi-class filing approach.
• End-to-end trademark application filing at the DPDT, including preparation of all required documentation, calculation and payment of government fees, and submission within 24 hours of receiving complete client instructions.
• Power of Attorney drafting and execution assistance for domestic and international applicants, including guidance on notarisation and legalisation requirements for foreign clients.
• Paris Convention priority filing — managing the documentation and timing requirements for applicants claiming priority based on earlier foreign filings.
• DPDT examination response — drafting and filing detailed legal arguments in response to absolute or relative grounds objections raised by the DPDT, and representing clients at DPDT hearings where required.
• Trademark opposition — filing opposition notices against conflicting marks published in the Trademarks Journal, and defending clients' applications against third-party opposition.
• Trademark renewal management — monitoring and managing renewal deadlines for all classes and ensuring timely filing of Form TM-12 with payment of the renewal fee before the expiry of each registration period.
• Trademark assignment and licence agreement drafting, and recordal of assignments and licences at the DPDT.
• Trademark infringement enforcement — sending cease-and-desist correspondence to infringers, preparing and filing civil suits, advising on and assisting with criminal complaint filings, and applying for customs border measures against counterfeit imports.
• Domain name dispute resolution and online brand protection services.
• International trademark filing coordination — managing trademark applications in the United Kingdom, the European Union, the United States, the Gulf states, and across the APAC region through our network of international IP partners.

Key Government Authority for Trademark Registration

• Department of Patents, Designs and Trademarks (DPDT): The sole authority administering trademark registration in Bangladesh, operating under the Ministry of Industries. The DPDT maintains the official Register of Trademarks, processes applications, conducts examinations, publishes accepted marks in the Trademarks Journal, issues registration certificates, and records assignments, licences, and renewals. Official website: dpdt.portal.gov.bd

Useful Reference Materials

• Trademark — Wikipedia
• Service Mark — Wikipedia
• Nice Classification — Wikipedia
• Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property — Wikipedia
• Madrid System for International Trademark Registration — Wikipedia
• Trademark Infringement — Wikipedia
• Passing Off — Wikipedia
• Trademark License — Wikipedia
• Intellectual Property — Wikipedia
• TRIPS Agreement — Wikipedia