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Filing a trademark application without conducting a prior search is the legal equivalent of driving blindfolded. You might survive, but you are exponentially more likely to crash into an existing rightsholder, resulting in the rejection of your appli...
By Syed Asad Hussain Zaidi · 6 September 2026
How to Conduct a Trademark Search on the IPO Pakistan Portal: Step-by-Step Author Note / Last Updated: Updated September 2026 by Syed Asad Hussain Zaidi | Advocate High Court | Professional Tax Consultant Filing a trademark application without conducting a prior search is the legal equivalent of driving blindfolded. You might survive, but you are exponentially more likely to crash into an existing rightsholder, resulting in the rejection of your application, forfeiture of government fees, and potential infringement lawsuits. The Intellectual Property Organization of Pakistan (IPO-Pakistan) provides mechanisms to search the Trade Marks Registry before you formally apply. A comprehensive search ensures your proposed brand name, logo, or slogan is legally available in your specific industry class. Here is the definitive guide on how to conduct a trademark search in Pakistan, decipher the results, and protect your brand strategy. --- Why is a Trademark Search Mandatory? Under the Trade Marks Ordinance, 2001, the Registrar will refuse to register a trademark if it is "identical with or deceptively similar to" an existing registered trademark or a pending application in the same class of goods or services. A thorough search prevents: Financial Loss: Government filing fees (TM-1) are non-refundable. If you apply blindly and face a rejection, you lose that capital. Rebranding Costs: Discovering your brand name is already owned by a competitor after you have printed packaging, launched marketing campaigns, and built a website is a catastrophic financial hit. Legal Liability (TM-9 Notices): Using a mark identical to a registered brand can trigger immediate cease-and-desist letters, injunctions, and damages for trademark infringement. --- Types of Trademark Searches in Pakistan There are two primary ways to search the trademark database in Pakistan: The Official IPO Search (Form TM-55) This is the only legally binding, official search recognized by the government. You request the Trade Marks Registry to comb through their internal servers and physical ledgers to generate a formal report. Cost: PKR 1,000 per class (via Pay Order to DG IPO). Timeframe: It typically takes 7 to 15 working days to receive the official search report. Reliability: 100%. The Registry checks against all registered marks, pending applications, and abandoned files. The Online Public Search (IPO Web Portal) IPO-Pakistan has been gradually digitizing its records and offers a preliminary online search portal. Cost: Free. Timeframe: Instant. Reliability: Moderate. The online database is notorious for lagging behind real-time filings. A "No Results Found" on the website does not* guarantee the mark is actually available. It is only useful for preliminary elimination. --- How to Execute the Official Search (TM-55) If you are serious about protecting your brand, you must file a TM-55. Here is the step-by-step process. Step 1: Identify Your Trademark Class Pakistan follows the Nice Classification system (45 classes of goods and services). You cannot simply ask the IPO to search "all of Pakistan." You must specify the class. If you are launching a clothing line, you will request a search in Class 25. If you are a software developer, you will search in Class 9. If you sell cosmetics, you will search in Class 3. Step 2: Prepare Form TM-55 Download Form TM-55 from the official IPO website. You must provide: The exact spelling of the wordmark. Six clear representations of the logo (if you are searching for a specific design). The specific class number. A Pay Order of PKR 1,000 made out to the Director General IPO. Step 3: Submit to the Trade Marks Registry You can submit the form physically at the IPO headquarters in Islamabad or regional offices in Lahore and Karachi. Step 4: Analyze the Search Report After processing, the IPO will issue an official Search Report. It will state one of two things: Clear: "No identical or deceptively similar mark found on record." (You are clear to file Form TM-1). Conflicting: It will list the trademark numbers, brand names, and applicant details of existing marks that the Registrar deems too similar to yours. --- Decoding the Search Results: What is "Deceptively Similar"? The biggest misconception among business owners is that if they alter a single letter, their mark becomes unique. Trademark law does not work on exact matches; it operates on the principle of "Deceptive Similarity" (phonetic, visual, or conceptual confusion). If you want to register "STARBUX" for a coffee shop (Class 43), the IPO search report will flag the registered mark "STARBUCKS". Phonetically:* They sound identical. Visually:* The structure is highly similar. Result:* The Registrar will reject your application to prevent consumer confusion. Similarly, if you try to register "APPLE" for a clothing line (Class 25), you might get a clear search report, because Apple Inc. primarily operates in Class 9 (Computers) and Class 38 (Telecommunications). Trademarks are generally protected only within their specific class, unless they are recognized as "Well-Known Marks." --- Best Practices for Trademark Searching Search Phonetic Variations: If your brand is "Kool", search for "Cool", "Kewl", and "Qool". Search Across Related Classes: If you manufacture software (Class 9), you should also conduct a search in SaaS/IT services (Class 42) to ensure a holistic defense. Hire a Professional: Analyzing search reports requires legal expertise. A trademark attorney can look at a conflicting mark and advise you if the conflict is fatal, or if there are legal arguments to overcome it during the TM-9 stage. Conclusion Conducting a trademark search via TM-55 is an inexpensive insurance policy against devastating rebranding costs. Never launch a brand or file a TM-1 application without securing a clear, official search report from the Intellectual Property Organization of Pakistan. --- Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes and reflects the procedures of IPO-Pakistan as of 2026. Conducting a search does not guarantee final registration. Always consult with a registered Intellectual Property attorney.