Intellectual Property

We provide comprehensive intellectual property services focused on the protection, maintenance, enforcement and commercialization of intellectual property rights in Pakistan and across multiple jurisdictions.

We advise businesses, innovators and rights holders on developing, securing and leveraging intellectual property assets through commercially driven legal strategies. With extensive experience, we represent clients before the Intellectual Property Organization of Pakistan (IPO-Pakistan), Intellectual Property Tribunals, Customs authorities and Courts.

Scope of Intellectual Property Practice

We assist clients in the protection, maintenance, enforcement and commercialization of intellectual property rights across diverse industries.

Our work includes registration, portfolio management, due diligence and strategic advisory for the development and commercial exploitation of intellectual assets.

We advise on all major forms of intellectual property, including:

• trademarks
• patents
• copyrights
• industrial designs
• geographical indications
• plant varieties and related rights
• confidential information and trade secrets

We also work with technology-driven sectors, including artificial intelligence, software, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and life sciences, where intellectual property protection requires integration with technical and regulatory considerations.

Trademark Law Services

We provide end-to-end trademark services covering the full spectrum of brand protection:

• trademark search, clearance and legal opinions
• filing and registration (national and international under the Madrid System)
• examination and prosecution
• opposition and cancellation proceedings
• renewals, maintenance and recordals
• licensing, assignment and commercialization
• enforcement and litigation (civil, criminal and customs)
• trademark watch and monitoring
• cease and desist actions
• domain name dispute resolution

Patent Law Services

We advise on the protection and commercialization of inventions through structured patent strategies:

• patentability and prior art searches
• patent drafting and filing
• prosecution and examination responses
• opposition and revocation proceedings
• licensing and technology transfer
• enforcement and litigation
• annuity and renewal management

Patent Consultancy and Pre-Filing Strategy

We provide strategic consultancy to ensure inventions are legally protectable and commercially viable prior to filing.

Our services include:

• Freedom-to-Operate (FTO) searches and legal opinions
• patentability and prior art analysis
• multi-jurisdictional filing strategies
• patent portfolio structuring aligned with business objectives

Under the Patents Ordinance, 2000, Pakistani residents are required to obtain prior permission before filing patent applications outside Pakistan, unless a corresponding application has been filed in Pakistan at least six weeks prior to the foreign filing.

We assist clients in obtaining Foreign Filing Licenses and structuring compliant international filing strategies, including Paris Convention priority filings within the prescribed twelve-month period.

Industrial Design Law Services

We assist clients in protecting the visual and aesthetic features of products:

• design search and clearance
• filing and registration
• international filing strategy and Hague system guidance
• enforcement against infringement
• renewals and ownership recordals

Copyright Law Services

We advise on the protection and commercialization of creative works:

• registration of literary, artistic, musical, software and audiovisual works
• enforcement and anti-piracy actions
• licensing and assignment agreements
• protection of digital content and online assets

Copyright protection is recognized internationally under the Berne Convention, enabling protection across member jurisdictions.

Geographical Indications Services

We assist producers and associations in protecting origin-based products:

• GI registration and advisory
• collective rights management
• enforcement against misuse

Trade Secrets & Confidential Information

We advise on safeguarding proprietary business information:

• confidentiality frameworks and internal policies
• drafting of NDAs and contractual protections
• enforcement in cases of misappropriation

IP Portfolio Management

We provide structured management of intellectual property portfolios:

• IP audits and due diligence
• local and international filing strategies
• portfolio maintenance and renewals
• commercialization and licensing advisory

IP Enforcement & Anti-Counterfeiting

We implement robust enforcement strategies to protect intellectual property rights:

• civil and criminal litigation
• customs recordation and border enforcement
• anti-counterfeiting measures and investigations
• market raids and enforcement coordination

Cross-Border Intellectual Property Protection

We assist clients in the protection and commercialization of intellectual property across multiple jurisdictions through coordinated international strategies.

Through a network of foreign associate law firms, we manage multi-jurisdictional portfolios and enforcement actions globally.

Our services include:

• international trademark strategies
• international patent strategies
• cross-border portfolio management
• coordination with foreign associates
• global enforcement strategies

Regional and International Filing Systems

We assist clients in securing protection across jurisdictions through established international and regional systems.

Regional Systems

• European Union Trade Mark system administered by the European Union Intellectual Property Office
• European patent system administered by the European Patent Office
• GCC patent framework
• ARIPO system
• OAPI system
• Benelux trademark and design system

International Filing Systems

• Madrid System administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization
• Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (Pakistan is not a member; national filing with Paris Convention priority applies)

Priority, Novelty and Classification Systems

Pakistan recognizes priority rights under international conventions:

• 6 months for trademarks and designs
• 12 months for patents

Patent protection requires novelty, inventive step and industrial applicability. Public disclosure prior to filing may affect patentability.

Pakistan also recognizes well-known trademarks, enabling protection of internationally reputed marks.

International classification systems include:

• Nice Classification (trademarks)
• Locarno Classification (industrial designs)

Legal & Regulatory Framework

Pakistan Laws

• Trade Marks Ordinance 2001 and Rules 2004
• Patents Ordinance 2000 and Rules 2003
• Copyright Ordinance 1962 and Rules 1967
• Registered Designs Ordinance 2000 and Rules 2001
• Geographical Indications Act 2020
• Plant Breeders’ Rights Act 2016
• Customs Act 1969

International Frameworks

• TRIPS Agreement governed by the World Trade Organization
• Paris Convention administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization
• Berne Convention administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization
• Madrid System administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization

Why Choose Us

• Over 18 years of specialised intellectual property practice
• Representation before IPO-Pakistan, Tribunals, Customs and Courts
• End-to-end services from protection to enforcement
• Trusted by startups, SMEs and international businesses