A granted patent in Pakistan isn’t a one-time win – it has to be kept alive with renewal fees, and the fee climbs the longer the patent lives. Miss a renewal and you risk losing rights on an invention you already paid to protect. Here’s exactly how renewal works.
When Renewal Fees Start
A Pakistani patent runs for 20 years from the filing date, but renewal fees only kick in once the patent has been granted and reaches its 5th year. Renewal is filed on Form P-12, and it must be paid before the expiration of the current year, in respect of the next year of protection.
The Fee Bands
Renewal fees are charged in four-year bands, and each band costs more than the last:
- Years 5–8: PKR 12,000 per year
- Years 9–12: PKR 18,000 per year
- Years 13–16: PKR 24,000 per year
- Years 17–20: PKR 32,000 per year
In other words, the cost of keeping a patent alive rises steadily – which is by design, since it discourages holding onto patents that are no longer commercially useful and pushes them into the public domain sooner.
What Happens If You Miss a Renewal
If a renewal payment lapses, the patent can be removed from the register. IPO-Pakistan does provide a restoration route: Form P-13, Application for Restoration of a Patent, at a fee of PKR 13,500. Restoration isn’t automatic or guaranteed indefinitely – it needs to be filed and the Controller has to be satisfied the lapse was unintentional, so the safest approach is never letting a renewal lapse in the first place.
Staying on Top of Renewal Dates
Because fees are due annually and increase every four years, it’s easy to lose track – especially for applicants managing multiple patents or working through an agent. Missing a single year can put two decades of protection at risk over what is usually a straightforward payment. Our patent registration services include renewal tracking and filing, so deadlines don’t slip. If you haven’t filed the original application yet, start with our guide on how to patent an invention in Pakistan.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does a patent need its first renewal in Pakistan?
Renewal fees begin at the 5th year of the patent’s life, filed on Form P-12 before expiration of the current year for the next year of protection.
How much does patent renewal cost in later years?
It rises in bands: PKR 12,000/year for years 5–8, PKR 18,000/year for years 9–12, PKR 24,000/year for years 13–16, and PKR 32,000/year for years 17–20.
What happens if I miss a renewal deadline?
The patent can be removed from the register. You can apply for restoration using Form P-13 (PKR 13,500), but restoration is not guaranteed and depends on the Controller being satisfied the lapse was unintentional.
Can a lapsed patent always be restored?
Not automatically – restoration is a formal application (Form P-13) and approval depends on the circumstances of the lapse, so timely renewal is always the safer route.
