General Eligibility to File

• Any person can file a trademark opposition in India.
  
• The term “person” includes individuals, companies, firms, partnerships, trusts, and associations.
  
• There is no requirement that the opponent must own a registered trademark.
  
• The opponent must have a genuine interest or reason to object to the trademark’s registration.
  

Interested Parties

• Owners of existing trademarks—registered or unregistered—who believe the new mark is confusingly similar.
  
• Prior users of a trademark who have established usage rights before the applicant.
  
• Business competitors seeking to prevent dilution or misuse of their brand identity.
  
• Consumers, trade organizations, or industry bodies who believe the mark is misleading or deceptive.
  

Legal Representatives

• An opposition can also be filed through a trademark attorney or agent on behalf of an eligible party.
  
• Proper authorization (such as Form TM-48) is required if a representative is filing the opposition.
  
• Corporations or legal entities typically appoint legal counsel to handle the proceedings.
  

Foreign Entities

• Foreign nationals or companies can file a trademark opposition in India if they have sufficient interest or prior rights.
  
• They must comply with procedural rules and may require a local representative for hearings or filings.
  
• International opponents often file objections to protect their brand in the Indian market.
  

Time and Format for Filing

• The opposition must be filed within four months of the trademark being published in the Trademark Journal.
  
• It must be submitted using Form TM-O, stating the grounds of opposition clearly.
  
• Delayed or incomplete oppositions are not entertained by the Trade Marks Registry.