Trade Mark Oppositions & Appeals
Our highly-experienced attorneys provide strategic guidance, support and representation for your trade mark oppositions.
Trade mark oppositions, globally #
A trade mark opposition is a procedure allowing rights holders to challenge a pending trade mark application before it is registered. Common grounds for opposition can include identical or confusingly-similar marks, likelihood of consumer confusion and bad faith applications.
These oppositions are a key tool in any effective intellectual property strategy, helping you protect your brand identity and strengthen your market position. We file, manage and represent clients with their trade mark oppositions all over the world and have done so for over 50 years.
We work directly in the UK, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland, and operate worldwide through our trusted network of foreign associates.
Specialist trade mark attorneys, covering all domains #
We can help you with all aspects of the trade mark opposition procedure, providing strategic, commercially-minded expert insight at each stage.
Every attorney in our trade marks team has exceptional contentious expertise and is a steadfast and knowledgeable opposing attorney. Filing and prosecution should always be approached with the aim of avoiding or overcoming opposition – the instincts needed to achieve this can only be developed through experience with trade mark oppositions.
Opposition and legal practice are constantly evolving. Our attorneys work closely together, ensuring that expertise is cumulative and current.
We have a proven track record in trade mark oppositions covering a broad range of sectors, technologies and domains, from retail and services to life sciences and healthcare.
As a law firm and individually, we are routinely acknowledged in leading trade mark industry directories and ranking reports, such as WTR 1000 and IP STARS. Your brand is in safe hands.
Technical and legal excellence in trade mark oppositions #
Our key areas of trade mark oppositions include:
- UK oppositions
- EUIPO oppositions
- Irish oppositions
- French, German and Italian oppositions
- US TTAB oppositions (in close partnership with our US associates)
- Opposition and invalidation of bad faith applications or registrations in key jurisdictions
Wherever they take place, trade mark opposition procedures can be complex and have high stakes.
Our approach to opposition is agile but assertive. We constantly adapt to the changing dynamics of a dispute, as well as your commercial priorities, to help you achieve the best resolution possible.
Meet our trade mark opposition experts #
FAQs #
What is a Trade Mark Opposition? #
A trade mark opposition is a process in which one party objects to the registration of another’s trade mark. Any earlier rights holder can file an opposition with the relevant registering authority. Oppositions are usually filed before the trade mark has been officially registered, typically during the publication period. If successful, the opposition will stop the application from being registered.
What happens after a trade mark opposition? #
Once an opposition is filed, the trade mark applicant will be given an opportunity to respond. Usually, evidence rounds follow before a decision is taken (either from the papers or following an oral hearing). If the opposition is successful, the application for registration will be rejected by the Trade mark Office. Various appeal options usually apply.
If the opposition is unsuccessful, however, the application will proceed to registration.
How long does trade mark opposition take? #
The length of time it takes for opposition proceedings to reach a conclusion will vary, depending on different factors. Jurisdictions move at different speeds, and filing requirements vary. The complexity of the case, as well as the volume of evidence, will have a significant effect. Appeals can also extend the process. Generally speaking, the process could take anywhere between six months and several years.
It is important to note that trade mark oppositions can be costly and time-consuming, so it is best to get advice from an experienced attorney before proceeding with this course of action.
Defend your brand with our experts #
Our team of trade mark specialists offer comprehensive opposition and appeal services to safeguard your brand.
