Online enforcement complaints at IPO-Pakistan
In September 2025 IPO-Pakistan launched its Intellectual Property Rights Enforcement Complaint Management System (IPRE-CMS) to tackle piracy and counterfeiting. Rights holders can file enforcement complaints online from anywhere, through a secure account, and track progress without visiting an office. IPO-Pakistan has also published standard operating procedures for processing enforcement complaints and, in August 2026, invited comments on draft Intellectual Property (Enforcement & Coordination) Rules, 2026. We prepare and file complaints, assemble evidence and follow them through to action.
Border measures
The primary legal instrument governing customs enforcement of intellectual property rights in Pakistan is S.R.O. 170(I)/2017, issued by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on 16 March 2017, which added the IPR enforcement rules to the Customs Rules, 2001 (Chapter XXVII, rules 678 to 686). Border enforcement is handled by the Directorate General of Intellectual Property Rights Enforcement (Customs), set up under section 3CC of the Customs Act, 1969.
The Trade Marks Ordinance also allows the owner of a registered trademark to give notice to Customs to treat infringing goods as prohibited, subject to security, and empowers the Collector of Customs to seize and forfeit goods bearing infringing marks (sections 53 to 66). We prepare applications and recordals, monitor detentions and act quickly once goods are seized.
Court proceedings
Suits for infringement of a trademark must be brought before an IP Tribunal (section 117 of the Trade Marks Ordinance), with appeals to the High Courts. We file suits, interim injunction applications and petitions, and represent clients in appeals.
Online complaints to IPO-Pakistan
IPO-Pakistan’s IPR Enforcement Complaint Management System (IPRE-CMS), launched in September 2025, lets right-holders file complaints about counterfeiting and piracy online, from anywhere, and track them through a secure account. We prepare and file complaints with supporting evidence and follow them up with IPO-Pakistan and the enforcement agencies.
Source: IPO-Pakistan launch announcements, Lahore 19 September 2025 and Karachi 24 September 2025 (APP; Press Information Department).
Overview
Enforcement is a critical component of IP protection. Without effective enforcement mechanisms, IP rights lose their practical value. Our enforcement practice focuses on protecting clients against infringement, counterfeiting, and unauthorized use across physical and digital markets.
Our Services
Infringement Actions & Litigation
- civil litigation before courts
- injunctions, damages, and account of profits
- interim relief and urgent actions
- appellate proceedings
Opposition, Revocation & Invalidation Proceedings
- trademark oppositions, revocation and invalidation actions
- patent and design revocation actions
- administrative enforcement before registries
Customs & Border Enforcement
- applications and recordation with Customs under S.R.O. 170(I)/2017
- seizure of counterfeit goods
- cross-border enforcement strategies
Anti-Counterfeiting & Market Enforcement
- raids and investigations
- coordination with law enforcement agencies
- anti-piracy actions
- online enforcement and takedowns
Digital & Cross-Border Enforcement
- domain name disputes and recovery
- online infringement actions
- platform-based enforcement (e-commerce, social media)
Legal Framework
Pakistan
- Trade Marks Ordinance, 2001
- Copyright Ordinance, 1962
- Patents Ordinance, 2000
- Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016
Enforcement is supported by agencies such as the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and courts.
International Framework
- TRIPS Agreement — establishes minimum enforcement standards globally
- Paris Convention
- Berne Convention
The TRIPS Agreement requires countries to provide effective enforcement mechanisms, including injunctions, damages, and border measures.
Key Principles
- enforcement must be timely and effective
- remedies include injunctions, damages, and seizure
- cross-border infringement requires coordinated action
- administrative and judicial remedies may be used
Challenges in Pakistan
- enforcement delays and procedural inefficiencies
- limited awareness and institutional capacity
- prevalence of counterfeiting and piracy
Conclusion
Strategic enforcement protects brand value, market share, and innovation. A proactive and coordinated enforcement strategy is essential in today’s global and digital marketplace.
Court decisions
Selected decisions on this area of law, linked to the published judgment. Summaries are general information, not legal advice, and may not reflect later appeals; please read the full text.
Muhammad Multazam Raza v. Muhammad Ayub Khan (2022 SCMR 979), as applied in Suit No. 226 of 2022
Where trade mark infringement is alleged, with or without passing off, the suit must be filed before the Intellectual Property Tribunal, which has exclusive jurisdiction under the IPO-Pakistan Act, 2012. The High Court returned the plaint on that basis.
Read the judgment ↗Virgin Enterprises Ltd. v. Virgin Express International (Pvt.) Ltd.
A suit for trade mark infringement and passing off was transferred to the Intellectual Property Tribunal, including the connected claim to change the defendant’s company name, because the claims could not be separated.
Read the judgment ↗Dr. Mubin Akhtar Hospital v. Syed Muhammad Salahuddin
A suit relating to rights in a trade mark, under section 117 of the Trade Marks Ordinance as amended in 2023, must be brought before an Intellectual Property Tribunal. The plaint was returned for filing there.
Read the judgment ↗Muhammad Shah Kakar v. Intellectual Property Tribunal at Sindh & Balochistan
The court held that S.R.O. 170(I)/2017 (Customs Rules, 2001, rules 678 to 686) applies to imported goods only, and that applying a registered mark to goods for export is use in Pakistan under sections 5(2) and 40 of the Trade Marks Ordinance.
Read the judgment ↗List checked on 23 October 2026. Sources: High Court of Sindh case law portal and published reports.
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