Intellectual Property Law

Intellectual property law in Pakistan

Intellectual property in Pakistan is protected under the Trade Marks Ordinance 2001, the Copyright Ordinance 1962, the Patents Ordinance 2000 and the Registered Designs Ordinance 2000, administered by the Intellectual Property Organization of Pakistan (IPO-Pakistan). Infringement and enforcement matters are heard by the specialised Intellectual Property Tribunals and the High Courts, with criminal remedies available for counterfeiting.

Mehr And Iqbal's IP team includes lawyers with technical backgrounds and commercial experience who deal routinely with the trademark and patent examiners, so applications are prepared to be granted, not merely filed.

Trademark registration and brand protection

We conduct availability searches, file and prosecute trademark applications in all relevant classes, respond to examination objections, oppose conflicting marks and defend oppositions, and manage renewals and recordals of assignment and licence. For foreign brand owners we register marks ahead of market entry and act against counterfeit and look-alike products through civil, criminal and customs measures.

Copyright, patents and industrial designs

Copyright registration for software, publications, music, film and artistic works; patent drafting, filing and prosecution for inventions and processes including pharmaceutical and engineering patents; and registration of industrial designs. We advise on ownership of works created by employees and contractors and draft the assignment and licensing agreements that turn IP into revenue.

IP enforcement, licensing and trade secrets

Enforcement includes cease-and-desist notices, infringement suits and injunctions before the IP Tribunals, criminal complaints against counterfeiters, and customs recordal to intercept infringing imports. We also draft licensing, franchising and technology transfer agreements and protect trade secrets and confidential information through contracts and, where breached, litigation. Cease-and-desist letters and trademark or copyright registration are available as fixed-fee fast-track services.