Filing an opposition prevents others from registering trademarks that are too similar to your existing marks, thereby safeguarding your brand’s distinctiveness.

          It provides a legal mechanism to prevent competitors from encroaching on your intellectual property.

            Opposing a conflicting trademark helps preserve your position in the market and prevents customer confusion.

            Opposing improper trademark applications ensures that only trademarks complying with legal requirements are registered.

           The most common ground for opposition is that the proposed trademark is confusingly similar to an existing trademark.

            A trademark that merely describes the goods or services is not registrable, and this can be a valid ground for opposition.

            If the trademark lacks the distinctiveness needed to differentiate the goods or services, it can be opposed.

            Marks that include prohibited elements, such as national symbols or offensive terms, are often opposed.

            An opposition can be filed if the applicant is believed to have filed the application in bad faith or with malicious intent.

            If the trademark is likely to deceive or confuse the public, it can face opposition.

           Regularly check the Trademark Journal to identify any published trademarks that may infringe on your rights.

             If you find a conflicting trademark, file a Notice of Opposition with the Trademark Registry within the 4-month opposition period.

             Include evidence, legal precedents, and detailed reasons for your opposition.

              A copy of the Notice of Opposition must be served to the trademark applicant.

             The applicant has two months to respond with a counterstatement defending their trademark.

             The Trademark Registrar will conduct hearings or review written submissions from both parties before making a decision.

           A formal document outlining the grounds for opposition.

           A copy of the trademark application you are opposing.

           Documents showing use of your existing trademark, market presence, and other relevant evidence.

           Any relevant case law or rulings that support your opposition.

           The opposition must be filed with the Trademark Registry within 4 months of the trademark being published.

           The applicant has two months to file a counterstatement responding to the opposition.

           The opponent must provide evidence supporting the opposition within two months of receiving the counterstatement.

           The applicant then has two months to submit evidence in response to the opposition.

           If necessary, a hearing is scheduled where both parties present their case before the Registrar of Trademarks.

           Based on the submissions and evidence, the Registrar will issue a ruling on whether the trademark can be registered or if the opposition is upheld.

           The trademark application is refused, and the mark is not registered.

           The trademark will proceed to registration, and the applicant will receive the rights to the mark.

           The losing party may file an appeal with the Intellectual Property Appellate Board (IPAB) if they disagree with the decision.