The short answer
DPDT is the Department of Patents, Designs and Trademarks, the Bangladesh government office that registers trademarks, patents, industrial designs and geographical indications. It is headed by a Director General and, since the Industrial Design Act, 2023 took effect on 11 July 2023, it has four units: Design, Trademarks, Geographical Indication and Patent, with its head office in Dhaka (Section 3 of that Act). SUPREMEiP® files and follows up applications at the DPDT for local and foreign owners.
What the DPDT is
The Department of Patents, Designs and Trademarks (DPDT) is the national IP registry of Bangladesh. If you want to register a trademark, patent or industrial design in Bangladesh, your application goes to this office. It examines applications, publishes them, hears objections and oppositions, keeps the registers and issues certificates.
The office existed long before 2023. Section 3 of the Bangladesh Industrial Design Act, 2023 says that for the purposes of the Trademarks Act, 2009, the Geographical Indication of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 2013, the Patent Act and the Design Act, the existing Department of Patents, Designs and Trademarks continues under that name as if it had been set up under the new Act.
The four units and who leads them
| Unit | Handles |
|---|---|
| Design Unit | Industrial designs under the Industrial Design Act, 2023 |
| Trademarks Unit | Trademarks under the Trademarks Act, 2009 and the Trademarks Rules, 2015 |
| Geographical Indication Unit | Geographical indications under the Geographical Indication of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 2013 |
| Patent Unit | Patents under the Bangladesh Patent Act, 2023 |
The Director General is the chief executive and is appointed by the Government. The old posts of Registrar, Deputy Registrar, Assistant Registrar and Examiner became Director General, Director, Deputy Director and Assistant Director. The Act gives each unit its own official seal. The Director General can, with Government approval, move staff from one unit to another, and the Government can open regional and branch offices when public interest needs it (Section 3).
In the Trademarks Act, 2009 the Trademarks Registry is now called the Trademarks Unit, and the powers once held by the "Registrar of Trademarks" are exercised by the Director General (Section 36 of the Design Act). Read the full transition summary in Design Act 2023 and the DPDT transition.
Which law applies to which application
- Trademarks: Trademarks Act, 2009 and Trademarks Rules, 2015. Start with the Trademarks Act 2009 guide and the Rules 2015 deadlines and forms.
- Patents: Bangladesh Patent Act, 2023. See the Patent Act overview and the Director General's powers.
- Industrial designs: Bangladesh Industrial Design Act, 2023. See the Design Act overview.
- Geographical indications: Geographical Indication of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 2013, handled by the GI Unit. See GI registration in Bangladesh and GI infringement and penalties.
Common DPDT tasks and where to read about them
| What you need | Guide |
|---|---|
| Register a trademark | Trademark registration in Bangladesh and how to register step by step |
| Know the official fees | Trademark registration cost |
| Answer an examination objection | Trademark objection and how to respond |
| Oppose someone else's mark | Trademark opposition |
| Renew a trademark | Trademark renewal |
| Understand a long-pending file | Pending applications and deemed abandoned |
| Register a patent | How to register a patent |
| Register a design | How to register an industrial design |
| Follow the Trademark Journal | Bangladesh Trademark Journal posts |
The Trademark Journal and deadlines
The Trademarks Rules, 2015 require the Registrar (now the Director General) to publish applications in the Trademark Gazette at least three times a year, in print and electronically (rule 17). A notice of opposition must be filed on Form TM-5 within 2 months of Gazette publication (Rules 2015). SUPREMEiP® tracks every issue for clients so no opposition window is missed.
Working with the DPDT as a foreign owner
A party outside Bangladesh must give an address for service in Bangladesh on Form TM-10 when it files (rules 6, 8 and 13). Forms and documents may be in Bengali or English (rule 5). In practice most foreign owners appoint a Bangladesh IP firm so that objections, hearings and fees are tracked on the spot. Registration normally takes 12 to 24 months when a file is handled properly.
The DPDT updates forms, fees and notices from time to time. Confirm the current schedule with the office or with us before you pay.
DPDT Bangladesh questions
What does DPDT stand for?
DPDT stands for the Department of Patents, Designs and Trademarks of Bangladesh.
What does the DPDT do?
It registers trademarks, patents, industrial designs and geographical indications, publishes applications, hears oppositions and keeps the registers.
Who heads the DPDT?
A Director General appointed by the Government is the chief executive (Section 3, Industrial Design Act, 2023).
How many units does the DPDT have?
Four: Design, Trademarks, Geographical Indication and Patent.
Where is the DPDT head office?
In Dhaka. The Government can open regional and branch offices elsewhere in Bangladesh.
Can a foreign company file directly?
A party outside Bangladesh must give an address for service in Bangladesh. Most foreign owners appoint a local IP firm.
Need to file or follow up at the DPDT?
SUPREMEiP® files and tracks trademarks, patents and designs at the DPDT in Dhaka. Send us your brand, invention or application number.
