2020 Bangladesh Intellectual Property Protection Complete Guide: Essential Strategies for Korean Companies
Bangladesh is a WIPO member and signatory to the Paris and Berne Conventions, but its IP enforcement level remains in the lower tier of the GIPC (Global IP Index). As Korean companies expand their presence in Bangladesh, exposure to IP risks — brand counterfeiting, trademark squatting, and technology leakage — is increasing. Bangladesh's intellectual property falls under the jurisdiction of the Department of Patents, Designs and Trademarks (DPDT) and the Copyright Office.
The greatest weaknesses in Bangladesh's IP legal framework are registration speed and enforcement. Trademark registration takes 12–18 months, patent registration 3–5 years, and civil litigation for counterfeiting and infringement takes 2–5 years due to court backlogs. In this environment, Korean companies must simultaneously build four systems from the market entry planning stage: pre-emptive trademark registration, NDA contract frameworks, technology transfer IP management, and continuous counterfeit monitoring.
IP Protection Framework by Type
Bangladesh's IP legal framework mixes British colonial-era legislation — the Patents Act 1911 and Designs Act 1911 — with modern statutes: the Trademarks Act 2009 and Copyright Act 2000. The Patent Act, enacted in 1911 with few major amendments, has limitations in protecting software, biotech, and advanced technology patents. The Bangladesh government is working on IP law modernization to comply with WTO TRIPs obligations, but progress is slow.
| IP Type | Legal Basis | Authority | Protection Term | Registration Time | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patent | Patents Act 1911 | DPDT | 16 years | 3–5 years | $500–2,000 |
| Trademark | Trademarks Act 2009 | DPDT | 7 years (renewable) | 12–18 months | $300–800 |
| Design | Designs Act 1911 | DPDT | 10 years (renewable) | 6–12 months | $200–500 |
| Copyright | Copyright Act 2000 | Copyright Office | Author lifetime + 60 years | Automatic (registration optional) | $50–200 |
| Geographical Indication | GI Act 2013 | DPDT | 10 years (renewable) | 6–12 months | $300–600 |
| Trade Secrets | Common law and contract law | Courts | Duration of confidentiality | N/A | - |
Key IP Risk Analysis for Korean Companies
| Risk Type | Frequency | Impact | Response | Prevention |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trademark Squatting | High | Medium–High | DPDT opposition or invalidation lawsuit | Pre-emptive registration before entry — essential |
| Brand Counterfeiting | High | Brand value damage | Police report and civil litigation | Local law firm monitoring |
| Technology Leakage | Medium | Very High | Civil litigation and arbitration | No core technology transfer — license only |
| Software Piracy | Very High | Medium | Copyright Office registration + lawsuit | License management system |
| NDA Violation | Medium | Medium–High | Arbitration (international arbitration clause essential) | International arbitration clause in all contracts |
| Online Counterfeit Sales | High | Medium | E-commerce platform complaint | Platform brand protection program registration |
4 Core IP Protection Strategies for Korean Companies
While acknowledging the practical limitations of Bangladesh's IP protection, risks can be minimized through pre-emptive registration and contractual protection. Building an IP strategy in cooperation with KOTRA Dhaka Trade Office and local Korean law firms (Lee International, Kim Chang Lee Bangladesh) can significantly reduce trial and error. As Bangladesh's IP environment is gradually improving, building a proactive IP portfolio in 2020–2025 is the foundation for long-term business success.
The Bangladesh government is advancing an IP law modernization roadmap for 2020–2025. The Patent Act amendment strengthens software, biotech, and new drug patent protection and shortens registration timelines through DPDT computerization. An EU-supported project to strengthen Bangladesh Customs' IP enforcement capacity is also underway, promising gradual improvement in blocking counterfeit goods at the border. Korean companies should monitor these changes and periodically update their IP strategies accordingly.
More than 80% of Korean companies that experienced IP disputes in Bangladesh were cases where trademarks were not registered at the initial entry stage. Trademark registration costs $300–800 — roughly 1/100 of dispute resolution costs. KOTRA Dhaka Trade Office provides IP registration support services for Korean companies entering Bangladesh, including free referrals to local IP specialized law firms and initial dispute response guides. Be sure to apply for IP registration support from KOTRA Dhaka Trade Office before entering Bangladesh.