Trademark Registration in Bhutan (BT): Protect Your Brand in the Kingdom
Trademark registration in Bhutan gives you the exclusive right to use your brand across the Kingdom. Applications are filed with the Department of Media, Creative Industry and Intellectual Property (DoMCIIP) of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment (MoICE) under the Industrial Property Act of the Kingdom of Bhutan, 2001. Bhutan follows a first-to-file system and has been a member of the Madrid System since 2000. Our trademark consultants handle search, filing and follow-up for businesses in Thimphu, Phuentsholing, Paro and abroad.
On this page
Bhutan trademark registration at a glance
- IP office
- Department of Media, Creative Industry and Intellectual Property (DoMCIIP), Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment (MoICE), Thimphu
- Law
- Industrial Property Act of the Kingdom of Bhutan, 2001, and Industrial Property Rules, 2001
- System
- First-to-file
- Classification
- Nice Classification, 12th edition
- Multi-class filing
- Yes, fees per class
- Madrid Protocol
- Yes, in force from 4 August 2000
- Language
- English or Dzongkha
- Opposition period
- 3 months from publication (not extendable)
- Typical timeline
- 6–12 months from filing to registration
- Validity
- 10 years from the filing date, renewable
- Official fees
- BTN 2,000 (about USD 23) per class to registration
- Power of attorney
- Simply signed; no notarisation, apostille or legalisation; scan accepted
* Timelines assume no objections or oppositions. Laws change, so contact us to confirm current requirements.
Why register your trademark in Bhutan
An Indian registration stops at the border.
Bhutan is a separate jurisdiction. Brands trading with India, or entering through Phuentsholing, need their own Bhutanese registration.
First to file wins.
Rights go to the first applicant. A local distributor or competitor can register your brand before you arrive.
Tourism, hydropower and new investment.
High-value tourism, hydropower, agriculture and new investment zones such as Gelephu Mindfulness City are drawing international brands.
Required for enforcement and licensing.
Court action, customs measures and licensing agreements all depend on a Bhutanese registration.
Our trademark services in Bhutan
End-to-end support from our licensed in-country attorneys, from the first search to lifelong protection.
Trademark search
Clearance search of the Bhutanese register before you file.
Trademark registration
Class selection, specification drafting, filing and follow-up to certificate.
Examination response
Replies to objections raised by the IP office.
Opposition
Filing or defending oppositions after publication.
Renewal and recordals
Renewals, assignments, licences and changes of name or address.
Trademark watch
Monitoring of published marks for conflicts.
Why choose Legacy Partners Global as your trademark consultants in Bhutan
- Local agent in Bhutan: filings and correspondence with the IP office go through an agent in Bhutan.
- India and Bhutan in one team: our offices in Kochi and Calicut coordinate Bhutan with your Indian filings.
- Opposition and objection experience: we handle the steps after filing, not only the filing.
- South Asia planning: we coordinate Bhutan with India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
- One point of contact: our Dubai office manages your Bhutan filing with your other markets.
A qualified attorney reviews every enquiry within one working day.
Trademark registration process in Bhutan
Here is how to register a trademark in Bhutan, step by step.
The Bhutan trademark registration system follows a structured sequence of reviews, publications, and legal checks. These steps ensure that trademarks meet all statutory requirements and remain protected over time.
Search and classify (1–3 days)
We search the Bhutanese register for identical and similar marks. We map your goods and services to the correct Nice classes.
File with the IP office (same day)
We file with the mark image, specification and power of attorney. You receive a filing number and date.
Examination (2–4 months)
The office checks formalities, distinctiveness and conflicts with earlier marks.
Reply to objections, if any
If the office objects, we reply with arguments or an amended specification.
Publication and opposition (3 months)
Accepted marks are published in the official journal. Third parties may oppose within 3 months; this period cannot be extended.
Registration and certificate
With no opposition, the mark is registered and the certificate issued. Protection runs for 10 years from the filing date.
Start your application in a few minutes. Nothing is filed until you approve the written quote.
Documents required for trademark registration in Bhutan
Power of attorney, simply signed by an authorised signatory (a scan is enough)
Applicant’s full name, address, nationality and legal form
Clear image of the mark in JPG format (for logos)
List of goods or services
Certified English translation and transliteration, if the mark contains non-English words or local script
Priority document, if you claim Paris Convention priority within 6 months of a first filing abroad
Power of attorney requirements for foreign applicants in Bhutan
Foreign applicants in Bhutan need only a simply signed power of attorney, signed by an authorised signatory. No notarisation, apostille or consular legalisation is required. A scan secures the filing date, and the original can follow later during prosecution. Applicants based outside Bhutan file through a local agent, which we arrange. We send a ready-to-sign power of attorney the same day you instruct us.
Trademark registration fees in Bhutan
DoMCIIP’s official fees for trademark registration in Bhutan are charged per class, and one application can cover several classes
| Official fee (per class) | BTN | USD |
|---|---|---|
| Filing fee | 1,000 | 11 |
| Publication and registration fee | 1,000 | 11 |
| Total official fees to registration | 2,000 | 23 |
| Renewal fee (every 10 years) | 2,000 | 23 |
Fees last checked: 15 October 2026. The ngultrum (BTN) is pegged 1:1 to the Indian rupee; USD at about USD 1 = BTN 88, rounded. Contact us for a fixed written quote for your filing.
Timeline, validity and renewal
How long registration takes
A straightforward application takes 6–12 months from filing to registration. Office actions or oppositions can extend this to 15–18 months. Registration lasts 10 years from the filing date and can be renewed for further 10-year periods without limit. You can renew in the final year before expiry, and within a 6-month grace period after it with a surcharge.
Validity and renewal
A registered trademark in Bhutan is valid for 10 years from the date of application. It can be renewed indefinitely for successive 10-year terms by paying the prescribed renewal fees before expiry. There is typically a grace period after expiry with additional fees
Trademark law and IP office in Bhutan
Trademarks in Bhutan are governed by the Industrial Property Act of the Kingdom of Bhutan, 2001, and the Industrial Property Rules, 2001. The Department of Media, Creative Industry and Intellectual Property (DoMCIIP) of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment, in Thimphu, examines and registers marks. It replaced the Intellectual Property Division of the former Ministry of Economic Affairs. Accepted marks are published in the official journal. Bhutan is a member of the Paris Convention and the Madrid System, both since 4 August 2000. Disputes go to the competent court.
Use requirements and non-use cancellation
You do not need to use a mark before filing in Bhutan. After registration, an interested party can seek removal of a mark not used in Bhutan for a continuous period of 3 years without a valid reason. Keep dated invoices, packaging, advertising and online listings that show the mark in use in Bhutan.
Trademark enforcement and infringement in Bhutan
A registered trademark gives you the legal standing to stop copycats in Bhutan. Without registration, enforcement is slow and uncertain, because rights go to the first filer.
What counts as infringement.
Using an identical or similar mark for the same or similar goods or services, selling counterfeit products, or importing goods bearing your mark without consent.
Your enforcement options
- Cease-and-desist letter: often the fastest way to stop a local infringer.
- Civil action: claim an injunction and damages before the Bhutanese courts.
- Criminal penalties: counterfeiting can lead to fines and imprisonment under the Industrial Property Act.
- Border measures: ask Bhutan’s customs authorities to stop counterfeit imports, including at the Indian border crossings.
- Online takedowns: remove infringing listings on marketplaces and social media.
Defending your registration.
Watch published marks and oppose conflicting applications within the 3-month window.
How Legacy Partners Global helps.
Our trademark consultants in Bhutan handle evidence gathering, cease-and-desist letters, oppositions and coordination with local counsel.
What to know before filing in Bhutan
National or Madrid.
Bhutan can be designated through Madrid; for most applicants we recommend a national filing for full control of the specification.
Investment zones.
Confirm whether Gelephu Mindfulness City applies its own IP rules before relying on a national registration there.
Translate local-script marks.
Marks with non-English words or Dzongkha script need a certified English translation and transliteration.
File before you appoint a distributor.
Register before signing with a Bhutanese distributor, franchisee or tourism partner.
Client stories
Businesses that trust us with their brands across borders.
We had an excellent experience working with Legacy Partners for trademark registration and brand protection services in India. Their expert team guided us throughout the filing process, ensuring accurate documentation, timely updates, and seamless support. Their professionalism and intellectual property expertise gave us confidence in protecting our brand identity while supporting our expansion into new markets.
We had a seamless experience working with Legacy Partners for trademark registration services in Bahrain. Their professional team provided excellent support throughout the trademark filing process, ensuring timely updates, accurate documentation, and smooth coordination. Their expertise in intellectual property and brand protection services helped us secure our brand identity with confidence.
* Client stories are shared with permission.
Trademark registration in Bhutan: FAQ
How long does trademark registration take in Bhutan?
About 6–12 months from filing to registration if there is no objection or opposition, or 15–18 months if complications arise.
How much does trademark registration cost in Bhutan?
Official fees total BTN 2,000 (about USD 23) per class to registration. Contact us for a fixed written quote.
How long is a Bhutanese trademark valid?
10 years from the filing date, renewable for further 10-year periods.
Can I file one application for several classes?
Yes. One application can cover several classes, with fees charged per class.
Do I need a local trademark agent or consultant in Bhutan?
Yes. Applicants based outside Bhutan file through a local agent.
How do I choose a trademark consultant in Bhutan?
Check that they work with a local agent in Bhutan, coordinate with your Indian filings, handle oppositions, and quote official and professional fees separately.Check that they work with a local agent in Bhutan, coordinate with your Indian filings, handle oppositions, and quote official and professional fees separately.
Is an Indian trademark valid in Bhutan?
No. Bhutan is a separate jurisdiction. You must register in Bhutan, nationally or through Madrid.
What can I do if someone copies my trademark in Bhutan?
Send a cease-and-desist letter, bring a court action, or ask customs to stop counterfeit imports. Online takedowns help too.
Does Bhutan follow first-to-file?
Yes. The first applicant generally gets the rights, so file before you enter the market.
Do I need to use my trademark before filing?
No. But a mark not used for x years after registration can be removed.
What language is the application filed in?
English or Dzongkha. If the mark contains non-English words or local script, add a certified English translation and transliteration.
Can I register a trademark in Bhutan through the Madrid Protocol?
Yes, since 4 August 2000. For most applicants we recommend a national filing for full control of the specification.
What documents do I need, and does the power of attorney need notarisation or legalisation?
A simply signed power of attorney, with no notarisation, apostille or legalisation; a scan is accepted. We also need applicant details, the mark image and your list of goods or services.
Trademark registration in nearby countries
Register your trademark in Bhutan today
Speak to our trademark consultants in Bhutan. Send your mark and we will reply with a free search and a fixed written quote within one working day.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Official requirements and fees can change; we confirm the current position for your matter before filing.
