If you have bought, sold, inherited, or otherwise transferred rights in a Pakistani patent, that transfer isn’t complete just because both parties signed a private agreement. To make an assignment effective against the world – including any future buyer, licensee, or court – it needs to be formally recorded with the Intellectual Property Organization (IPO) of Pakistan. This is where Forms P-24 and P-25 come in.
Why Recording a Patent Assignment Matters
A patent is treated as personal property under the Patents Ordinance 2000, which means it can be assigned, licensed, or mortgaged like any other asset. But IPO Pakistan only recognises a change of ownership once it is entered on the Patent Register. Until that recordal happens, the assignment sits as a private contract between the two parties – it doesn’t bind or notify anyone else dealing with the patent office. If the same patent were assigned twice, or if a dispute arose over who actually owns it, an unrecorded transfer leaves the new owner in a weak position, unable to enforce the patent, collect royalties through official channels, or defend it in IPO proceedings in their own name. Recording the assignment protects the buyer’s investment and keeps the public record accurate.
Form P-24 vs. Form P-25: Who Files What
IPO Pakistan splits the recordal application into two forms depending on which side of the transaction is filing:
- Form P-24 – used when the assignee (the person or company receiving the patent rights) files the application for recordal.
- Form P-25 – used when the assignor (the person or company transferring away the patent rights) files the application instead.
Either party can initiate the recordal, but in practice it is usually the assignee who has the stronger incentive to get the transfer on record quickly, since they are the one who will need proof of ownership going forward. Both forms require supporting evidence of the transaction – typically the assignment deed or agreement itself – along with the prescribed fee and the patent number(s) being assigned.
Patent Assignment Fees
| Form | Purpose | Fee (PKR) |
|---|---|---|
| P-24 | Application for recordal of an assignment, etc., by the assignee | 2,250 |
| P-25 | Application for recordal of an assignment, etc., by the assignor | 2,250 |
These figures are published on IPO Pakistan’s official Patent Fee & Forms schedule and apply per application; complex assignments covering multiple patents or additional documentation may attract further charges.
Step-by-Step: How the Recordal Works
- Execute a written assignment deed between the assignor and assignee, clearly identifying the patent(s), the parties, and the consideration.
- Choose the correct form – P-24 if the assignee is filing, or P-25 if the assignor is filing.
- Attach the assignment deed (or a certified copy) and any Power of Attorney needed if you’re filing through a patent agent.
- Pay the prescribed fee and submit the application at the Patent Office.
- Once IPO verifies the documents, the Patent Register is updated to reflect the new owner, and this becomes part of the public record.
Common Situations That Require This Filing
Patent assignment recordal typically comes up when a company sells or licenses out its patent portfolio, when a startup transfers IP to a new holding entity, when an inventor assigns rights to an employer or investor, or when ownership changes hands as part of a merger or acquisition. In each case, skipping the IPO recordal step leaves a gap between what your contract says and what the official register shows – a gap that can cause real problems later if the patent is challenged, licensed further, or sold again.
If you’re planning to buy, sell, or restructure ownership of a Pakistani patent, our team can prepare the assignment deed, file the correct form with IPO, and track the application through to recordal. Learn more about our full range of patent registration services in Pakistan, and if you haven’t filed the underlying patent yet, start with our guide on how to patent an invention in Pakistan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to record a patent assignment with IPO Pakistan, or is a private agreement enough?
A private agreement transfers rights between the two parties, but it doesn’t update the official Patent Register. Recording the assignment with IPO is what makes the new ownership recognised and enforceable against third parties.
What is the difference between Form P-24 and Form P-25?
Both forms record the same type of transaction – an assignment of patent rights – but P-24 is filed by the assignee (the receiving party) while P-25 is filed by the assignor (the transferring party).
How much does it cost to record a patent assignment in Pakistan?
IPO Pakistan charges Rs. 2,250 for each application, whether filed on Form P-24 or Form P-25, per the official Patent Fee & Forms schedule.
What documents are needed to file Form P-24 or P-25?
You’ll typically need the completed form, the assignment deed or agreement evidencing the transfer, the patent application/registration number(s) involved, and a Power of Attorney if a patent agent is filing on your behalf.
