Application success rate at Bangladesh’s DPDT
Trademark registration in the country is managed by the Department of Patents, Designs and Trademarks (DPDT) under the Ministry of Industries.
Over the last five years, Bangladesh has recorded an average trademark registration success rate of just 24.33%. Although there has been a notable improvement in recent years, the overall approval rate remains one of the lowest globally. This data highlights the challenges applicants may face in navigating the Bangladeshi trademark system and emphasizes the importance of careful preparation.
Comparison to regional and global averages
With an average success rate of 24.33%, Bangladesh lags significantly behind both global and regional benchmarks. For comparison, India reports a 60.41% success rate, Vietnam approximately 56%, and Saudi Arabia 62.94%. Even neighboring developing jurisdictions such as Pakistan (44.28%) and Egypt (38.64%) show considerably higher approval rates.
Find out more about how this trademark office compares globally in our full report on trademark success rates worldwide.
Country | Office code | Success rate |
|---|---|---|
Bangladesh | DPDT | 24.33% |
India | CGPDTM | 60.41% |
Pakistan | IPO-Pakistan | 44.28% |
Vietnam | IP-VIETNAM | 56.05% |
The United States | USPTO | 56.91% |
These figures suggest that Bangladesh currently offers a difficult environment for trademark applicants, with a high rate of application refusals or prolonged examination procedures.
Explaining lower approval rates in Bangladesh
Administrative infrastructure
The DPDT still faces challenges related to staffing, system modernization, and digital processing, leading to procedural bottlenecks and inconsistencies in examination.
Lack of transparency and guidance
Applicants often struggle with unclear requirements and limited public guidance on application standards. This can result in filing errors and increased chances of rejection.
Strict examination standards relative to filing quality
Despite relatively low filing volumes, the success rate suggests that examination standards may not always be matched by the quality of incoming applications, particularly from first-time or unassisted filers.
How to maximize your chances of registration success in Bangladesh
Given the low average success rate of 24.33%, registering a trademark in Bangladesh requires some preparation and understanding of the procedures. To improve your likelihood of approval, it’s recommended to begin with a comprehensive trademark search to identify any potential conflicts. Ensure that your mark is distinctive and not merely descriptive, and clearly define the goods and services associated with your application.
Partnering with a trademark attorney familiar with the legal landscape can significantly improve your chances. They can help anticipate objections, prepare your application thoroughly, and represent you throughout the process if issues arise.
If you are currently preparing to submit your first trademark application, we’ve put together a detailed guide on how to strengthen your chances of success, with multiple pieces of advice directly from our trademark lawyers with years of experience. You can also take advantage of Trama’s free lawyer’s check to receive expert feedback on your trademark and guidance on the best steps forward.
