Patents in Bangladesh are essential for inventors, entrepreneurs, and businesses to secure their intellectual property. Governed by the Bangladesh Patent and Design Act, the system ensures legal protection for inventions, utility models, and designs. Filing a patent application in Bangladesh gives innovators exclusive rights to use, manufacture, or sell their creations in the country.
Bangladesh, as an emerging technology and industrial hub in South Asia, has been strengthening its intellectual property regime to encourage innovation, protect inventors, and attract foreign investment. Understanding the patent system is crucial for local and international businesses looking to operate or expand in Bangladesh.
The Bangladesh patent system works on a first-to-file principle, meaning the first person to submit a valid patent application in Bangladesh is granted rights, regardless of who created the invention first.
Patents protect:
Foreign applicants can file patents in Bangladesh but must appoint a registered patent agent or attorney to act on their behalf. This ensures compliance with all procedural and legal requirements.
An invention patent safeguards a technical solution, method, or product that is novel, inventive, and industrially applicable.
Key features:
• Duration: 20 years from filing date
• Requires full examination by the Department of Patents, Designs & Trademarks (DPDT)
• Protects innovations in pharmaceuticals, engineering, agriculture, and technology
Utility models protect practical improvements in products, especially in manufacturing or consumer goods.
Key features:
• Duration: 10 years from filing
• Faster approval compared to invention patents
• Often used for machinery, tools, and small technological solutions
Design patents safeguard the appearance or aesthetic aspects of products, such as shape, pattern, or colour.
Key features:
• Duration: 15 years from filing date
• Protects product aesthetics and market identity
• Valuable for consumer goods, packaging, and industrial design
Bangladesh also allows protection for new plant varieties and eligible biotechnological inventions, following specific regulatory guidelines.
Filing a patent in Japan involves several structured stages:-
Conduct a search to ensure novelty and avoid conflicts.
Prepare detailed claims, description, drawings, and an abstract.
Applications must be submitted in English or Bengali, following prescribed formats.
Officials check for procedural compliance.
Invention patents are reviewed for novelty, inventiveness, and industrial applicability. Utility models and designs usually undergo simplified review.
Applications are published to allow public inspection.
Upon approval, rights are granted and enforceable. Maintenance fees must be paid annually.
Attention to documentation and procedural rules is essential for a successful filing.
Applicants must submit:-
Strict compliance with Bangladesh Patent Law ensures enforceable rights and avoids delays.
Securing a patent offers multiple advantages:-
For inventors looking to expand internationally, international patent filing under treaties such as the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) allows filing in multiple countries while retaining the original filing date.
Applicants may face certain challenges:-
Being aware of these challenges helps applicants plan efficiently and avoid procedural issues.
Filing patents in Bangladesh is essential for innovators seeking protection in a rapidly developing market. By understanding International Patent Law and filing in Bangladesh process, applicants can secure exclusive rights, encourage innovation, and strengthen their competitive advantage. Properly filed patents provide legal protection, enhance commercial credibility, and support regional and global business strategies.
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