Form TM-1 is the actual application you file to register a trademark in Pakistan – whether on paper or through IPO-Pakistan’s online portal. Getting each field right the first time avoids objections and delays. Here’s a field-by-field checklist based on IPO-Pakistan’s own filing guidelines.
Filling this out yourself can get technical fast, especially with classification, series marks, and Power of Attorney requirements – our trademark registration service handles the full TM-1 filing on your behalf. Haven’t started yet? See our guide to registering a trademark in Pakistan for the full process, and Trademark Classes Explained to pick your class before you start the form.
Before You Fill TM-1: Consider a Search First
It’s optional but advisable to check the Trademarks Register for identical or similar existing marks before applying. File Form TM-55 for this – one search application covers one trademark search in one class only, accompanied by two representations of your mark and a Rs. 1,000 search fee. A Personal Search Facility is also available at TMR Karachi, IPO-HQs Islamabad, and the Lahore Regional Office for Rs. 300 per 15-minute session.
TM-1 Field-by-Field Checklist
- One class per application – TM-1 covers a specification of goods or services in exactly one class. If your brand spans multiple classes, file a separate TM-1 (and pay a separate fee) for each.
- Full name, description, and nationality of the applicant – required in full, not abbreviated.
- Partner details for firms – if the applicant is a partnership, state the full name and nationality of every partner.
- Full trade or business address – as complete as possible, to make the applicant easy to locate.
- Series indication – if the mark is filed as part of a series of marks, indicate the number in the series.
- Domain name declaration – indicate whether a domain name is being registered in respect of goods or services.
- Color claim – if the mark is in color, you can claim the specific colors, which limits your registered rights to use of the mark only in those colors. If no color is claimed, the mark can be used in any color.
- Signature and designation – signed by the individual owner, the managing partner (for a partnership), or the managing director/CEO/Secretary (for a company).
- Power of Attorney (Form TM-48) – required, duly stamped, if filing through an attorney or agent rather than yourself.
- Foreign nationals – must file through a duly authorized attorney or advocate in Pakistan.
- Non-English/Urdu marks – if the mark is in another language, attach a translation and transliteration in the form of an affidavit from the applicant.
Filing Requirements
- TM-1 filed in duplicate, with six additional representations of the mark affixed on durable paper measuring 13×8 inches
- Filing fee: Rs. 3,000 via Pay Order or Bank Draft in the name of Director General, IPO-Pakistan (cash is not accepted)
- If filing through an agent, authorize them via Form TM-48 (Power of Attorney), duly stamped and notarized – all correspondence about the application then goes to the agent
What Happens After You File
- Cash receipt and a trademark number are issued when your application is received
- Acknowledgement Receipt issued within 10-15 days
- Examination Report generated after roughly 3-4 months; objections come as a Show Cause Notice, and you have two months to respond
- If there are no objections, your application is published in the Trade Marks Journal
- A two-month opposition window follows publication
- If unopposed, a Demand Notice is issued requesting Form TM-11 plus the registration fee (Rs. 9,000)
- Once paid, the Registration Certificate is issued
FAQ
Do I need to file the search form (TM-55) before TM-1?
No, it’s optional – but it’s advisable, since it flags conflicting marks before you spend time and money on a full application that might get objected to or opposed later.
What if my mark isn’t in English or Urdu?
You must attach a translation and transliteration of the mark in the form of a sworn affidavit from the applicant, along with your TM-1.
Can I claim a color on my mark after filing without color?
The color claim is made at filing. If you didn’t claim a color, your mark is protected for use in any color – which is actually broader protection in many cases, so this isn’t always a drawback.
Who signs the TM-1 if the applicant is a company?
The managing director, CEO, or Secretary of the company signs on the company’s behalf, along with their designation.
For the full legal text behind these requirements, see the official Trade Marks Ordinance, 2001 (as amended in 2023).
