Trademark Correction Bangladesh: Guide & Cost | SUPREMEiP®

A trademark amendment in Bangladesh is a formal request submitted to the Department of Patents, Designs and Trademarks (DPDT) to change specific details in a pending trademark application or a registered trademark entry. It is required when an applicant or registered owner needs to correct errors in the application, update the proprietor's name or address following a corporate change, adjust the list of goods and services, or change the authorized local agent. Amendment proceedings are governed by the Trademarks Act, 2009 and Trademark Rules, 2015.

No. Once a trademark has been registered in Bangladesh, the logo, design, or mark itself cannot be altered through an amendment. Any substantive change to the distinctive visual or textual elements of the trademark is not considered an amendment — it is treated as a new trademark. To register a modified logo or word mark, the proprietor must file a fresh trademark application with full government fees and documentation. This rule applies regardless of how minor the proposed change may appear.

Before registration, the following amendments are generally permitted at the DPDT: (1) correction or update of the applicant's name or address; (2) change of the authorized local agent; (3) addition, deletion, or correction of goods and services within the originally filed classification (without extending to new classes); and (4) correction of clerical or typographical errors in the application. The overriding rule is that the amendment must not create a completely new trademark or substantially alter the mark's identity.

After registration, the scope of permitted amendments is narrow and limited to: (1) correcting clerical or typographical errors in the register; (2) updating the registered proprietor's name or address due to corporate change, merger, acquisition, or relocation; and (3) restricting or narrowing down the list of registered goods and services. Expanding the goods and services list or changing the mark itself is not permitted post-registration.

The mandatory documents for trademark amendment in Bangladesh are: (1) a simple Power of Attorney (POA) signed by the trademark owner and authorizing the local IP attorney or agent to act before the DPDT; and (2) legalized or apostilled supporting documents where the amendment involves corporate changes, such as a company name change certificate, merger deed, or incorporation documents. For clerical corrections and agent changes, only the POA may be required. All documents in a foreign language must be accompanied by a certified English translation.

For trademark amendment proceedings in Bangladesh, the Power of Attorney required is a simple POA — it does not need to be notarized or apostilled. However, the supporting documents related to corporate changes (such as a company name change certificate or merger deed) must be legalized or apostilled if they were issued outside Bangladesh. This is a distinction that is important to understand: the POA itself is simple, but the evidentiary corporate documents must meet the legalization requirements of the DPDT.

The processing time for a trademark amendment at the DPDT Bangladesh is typically 2 to 6 months. The exact duration depends on: the nature of the amendment (clerical corrections tend to be faster), the current workload and backlog at the DPDT, whether all supporting documents are in order at the time of filing, and whether the examiner requires clarification or additional documentation. Engaging an experienced IP attorney in Bangladesh to ensure the application is complete at first submission significantly reduces the risk of delays.

No. After registration, you cannot add new goods or services to an existing trademark registration in Bangladesh. Post-registration amendments to goods and services are only permitted in the form of restrictions — that is, narrowing or limiting the existing list. If you wish to protect additional goods or services under the same trademark, you must file a new, separate trademark application covering those classes. This applies whether the new goods fall within the same class or a different one.

The trademark cost in Bangladesh for amendment proceedings consists of two components: (1) DPDT government fees, which vary depending on the type of amendment and the number of trademark classes involved; and (2) professional attorney fees charged by the IP law firm handling the matter. Additional costs may arise from document legalization, apostille, or certified translation services if foreign documents are required. For a precise cost estimate tailored to your specific amendment type, contact SUPREMEiP® directly at info@supremeip.com.

Trademark amendment in Bangladesh is primarily governed by the Trademarks Act, 2009 and the Trademark Rules, 2015. The DPDT (Department of Patents, Designs and Trademarks) administers all trademark proceedings including amendment requests. Relevant provisions set out the permissible scope of amendments, procedural requirements, and the powers of the Registrar of Trademarks to allow or refuse amendment applications. International applicants may also need to comply with the requirements of the Paris Convention, to which Bangladesh is a member.

Yes. A foreign company or individual can seek a trademark amendment in Bangladesh without physically attending the DPDT — however, they must appoint a local IP attorney or agent authorized to practice before the DPDT. All communication and filings are conducted through this local representative, backed by a simple Power of Attorney. Supporting documents originating from abroad (such as name change certificates or merger deeds) must be properly legalized or apostilled before submission. SUPREMEiP® regularly represents international clients in trademark amendment proceedings across all classes.

Trademark amendment involves making changes to details within the same trademark registration — such as correcting errors, updating the proprietor's name or address, or limiting goods and services — while ownership of the mark remains with the same legal entity. Trademark assignment, on the other hand, involves the transfer of ownership of the trademark from one legal entity to another, either with or without goodwill. Assignment requires a formal deed of assignment and recordal at the DPDT, with more extensive documentation requirements than a standard amendment.

Trademark amendment in Bangladesh refers to correcting or updating specific details in a trademark application or registration — such as names, addresses, or lists of goods — without changing the ownership or the mark itself. Trademark recordal is a broader term that may encompass recording various legal transactions or events against a trademark registration, including licensing agreements, assignment deeds, or security interests. Name and address changes of a registered proprietor may be treated either as an amendment or a recordal depending on the nature of the change and DPDT practice.

If the DPDT rejects a trademark amendment application, the applicant or proprietor generally has the option to: (1) file a response or show cause reply addressing the examiner's objections; (2) request a Hearing before the Registrar to present oral arguments supporting the amendment; and (3) file an appeal before the High Court Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh if the Registrar maintains the rejection following the Hearing. It is essential to engage a qualified IP attorney familiar with DPDT practice to navigate the appeal process effectively.

No. The Nice Classification class under which a trademark is filed cannot be changed through an amendment — whether before or after registration. If the trademark needs to be protected in a different or additional class, a separate new application must be filed for that class. Even before registration, any amendment to goods and services must remain within the scope of the originally filed class. Moving to a different NICE class is not an amendment — it is a new application.

Yes — correcting a spelling mistake that constitutes a clerical or typographical error in the trademark register is one of the few amendments permitted after registration. However, there is an important distinction: if the "spelling correction" would effectively create a different word mark or change the distinctive character of the trademark (for example, changing a unique invented word to a common word), it would not qualify as a clerical correction and would be treated as a new trademark requiring fresh application. The DPDT assesses this on a case-by-case basis.

When a company changes its name, the trademark registration(s) in Bangladesh remain valid — they do not automatically lapse. However, the proprietor's name in the DPDT trademark register must be updated through a formal amendment application. This requires submitting a simple POA and a legalized or apostilled company name change certificate (or an equivalent official corporate document such as a certificate of incorporation reflecting the new name). Failure to update the register can create practical difficulties in enforcing the trademark or completing future transactions such as assignments or licensing.

Yes. In the event of a corporate merger, acquisition, or restructuring, the trademark registrations in Bangladesh held by the predecessor entity must be formally updated at the DPDT to reflect the new legal proprietor. Depending on the nature of the corporate change, this may be recorded either as a trademark amendment (updating the proprietor's details) or as a trademark assignment (transfer of ownership). The relevant documentation — such as the merger deed, court order, or acquisition agreement — must be apostilled or legalized for submission to the DPDT, along with a Power of Attorney from the new proprietor.

An apostille is a form of authentication issued under the Hague Apostille Convention that certifies the authenticity of a public document for use in another country. Bangladesh is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention — however, the DPDT accepts apostilled documents from member states as a valid form of document legalization. Where the country of origin is not a Hague Convention member, legalization through the relevant embassy or consulate is required. For trademark amendment in Bangladesh, apostille (or equivalent legalization) is required for supporting corporate documents such as company name change certificates, merger deeds, or incorporation documents originating from foreign jurisdictions.

Yes. Changing the authorized local attorney or agent on record at the DPDT for a trademark application or registration is a standard and straightforward amendment. The new agent must be authorized to practice before the DPDT. The process requires filing a fresh Power of Attorney naming the new agent, which revokes the authority of the previous agent. This type of amendment can be filed at any stage — whether the trademark is pending or already registered — and is typically processed more quickly than substantive amendments.

No. Filing a trademark amendment in Bangladesh does not change the original filing date or registration date of the trademark. The priority date established at the time of the initial application is preserved irrespective of any subsequent amendments. This is important for trademark owners seeking to maintain their priority position against third parties. Only the specific details being amended are updated in the register — the rest of the trademark registration record, including dates and class information, remains unchanged.

In practice, the terms trademark amendment and trademark correction are often used interchangeably in Bangladesh. Both refer to the process of modifying specific details in a trademark application or registration at the DPDT. However, "correction" is sometimes used specifically to refer to clerical or typographical error corrections, while "amendment" may be used more broadly to encompass all permissible changes — including ownership updates and restriction of goods and services. Legally, all these changes are processed under the same procedural framework governed by the Trademarks Act, 2009.

If a trademark application in Bangladesh is subject to a pending amendment and subsequently becomes the subject of a trademark opposition, both proceedings may run concurrently or be considered together by the DPDT. In practice, the DPDT will consider the trademark as it stands — including any approved amendments — when assessing the opposition. If the amendment itself is pending and has not yet been approved, the status at the time of the opposition filing will typically govern. It is advisable to resolve any outstanding amendments before the trademark reaches the publication/opposition stage to avoid procedural complications.

Yes — where the same amendment applies to multiple trademark registrations (for example, a company name change affecting a portfolio of trademarks), it is possible to file amendment requests for all affected registrations at the same time. Each trademark requires a separate amendment application and government fee at the DPDT. However, the supporting corporate documents (such as the name change certificate) can typically be submitted once and referenced across all filings. Portfolio-level amendments of this kind are a common scenario for multinational brand owners and are efficiently managed through a local IP law firm in Bangladesh such as SUPREMEiP®.

Trademark amendment involves changing specific details within an existing trademark registration — such as the proprietor's name, address, or list of goods and services — without affecting the term of protection. Trademark renewal, on the other hand, is the process of extending the validity of a trademark registration beyond its initial ten-year term. In Bangladesh, trademark registrations are valid for 7 years from the filing date and can be renewed for successive 10-year periods under Section 23 of the Trademarks Act, 2009. Amendment and renewal are entirely separate proceedings with different forms, fees, and timelines.

A trademark in Bangladesh is a distinctive sign — including a word, logo, device, label, shape, colour combination, or any combination thereof — that identifies the goods or services of one business from those of another. Trademark protection is granted under the Trademarks Act, 2009 upon successful registration at the DPDT. The initial period of protection is 7 years from the date of application, after which the registration can be renewed for successive 10-year periods indefinitely, provided renewal fees are paid and the mark remains in use.

Maintaining accurate and up-to-date trademark registration details in Bangladesh is critical for several reasons: (1) enforcement — in infringement proceedings, the proprietor named in the register must be the current legal owner for enforcement actions to be effective; (2) licensing and assignment — outdated proprietor details can delay or complicate the recording of licensing agreements or assignment deeds; (3) renewal — DPDT correspondence regarding renewal deadlines is sent to the address on record; (4) legal standing — a trademark registration with incorrect proprietor details may raise questions about ownership and weaken its legal standing in opposition or cancellation proceedings.

There is no fixed universal deadline for filing a trademark amendment in Bangladesh — amendments can generally be filed at any time while the trademark application is pending or for as long as the trademark registration remains valid (i.e., within the renewal period). However, where the amendment relates to a corporate change (such as a merger or name change), it is best practice to file the amendment promptly after the change occurs, to ensure the register remains accurate and to avoid complications in enforcement or other trademark transactions. Delays in updating the register can create practical and legal difficulties.

SUPREMEiP® is a leading IP Law Firm in Bangladesh with extensive experience in all trademark proceedings at the DPDT, including trademark amendment, correction, recordal, opposition, objection response, and enforcement. As Advocates at the Supreme Court of Bangladesh and founding members of the Bangladesh Intellectual Property Attorneys Association (BIPAA), our team provides comprehensive trademark portfolio management services to local and international clients across all industry sectors. We handle trademark amendments efficiently, ensuring full documentary compliance at the DPDT. Contact us at info@supremeip.com or +8801613336333.

The most common mistakes when filing a trademark amendment in Bangladesh include: (1) submitting corporate documents without proper legalization or apostille, leading to rejection; (2) requesting an amendment that goes beyond the permitted scope — such as attempting to add new goods and services post-registration or alter the mark itself; (3) filing with an incomplete or incorrectly executed Power of Attorney; (4) failing to provide certified English translations of foreign-language documents; (5) requesting a change in the NICE classification class (which requires a new filing, not an amendment); and (6) delaying the amendment for years after a corporate change, which can raise questions about the continuity of ownership. Engaging a qualified IP attorney at the outset avoids these pitfalls.