Intellectual Property Laws in Bangladesh:

Bangladesh is a signatory-party to the Convention establishing the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) from January 1, 1987. In addition, Bangladesh is also a signatory-party to The Universal Copyright Convention, Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works (Paris, 1971), and The Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property of March 20, 1883. In Bangladesh the laws governing the Intellectual Property matters are:

A. The Patents and Designs Act, 1911;
B. The Trademarks Act, 2009; and
C. The Copyright Act, 2000.

In addition, there are several penal laws against the violations of various Intellectual Property Rights in The Penal Code as well as in The Customs Act of Bangladesh.

Moreover, Bangladesh is a party to The General Agreement of Tariffs and Trade 1994 (GATT), which includes the Chapter entitled “ Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights” (TRIPS) and, as such, makes her a Member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) family.

The Government of Bangladesh maintains offices of the Trademark Registry, in Dhaka and Chittagong, Patent & Design Office in Dhaka, and the Copyright Office in Dhaka at present. All the courts of District Judge in each district and the courts of Magistrates do take cases for judicial enforcement of various existing Intellectual Property laws of Bangladesh. The Supreme Court and the several Benches of the High Court Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh hear the Intellectual Property appeal cases.

From the above it is clear that Bangladesh is marching forward to be closely associated with the process of globalization of Intellectual Property Laws. In Bangladesh lately new laws have been drafted further modifying and modernizing the laws on Patent and Design; Trademarks and Copyrights. We are pleased to say that we had been associated with the processing of the said laws which are to be introduced with wider legal protections and scopes.

Our Firm keeps constant watch on the present status and the future trends of Intellectual Property laws at home and abroad.