Back to Oppositions

Can I establish the chances of my trademark being opposed by running a trademark search?

Written by Jan Buza

Co-founder of Trama

Yes. A trademark search is the primary tool for assessing opposition risk before filing. Since all trademark registers are publicly accessible, a search can identify existing registrations that are similar to your mark in the same or related classes; the marks most likely to form the basis of an opposition.

A basic search identifies identical and near-identical marks. A professional search also assesses phonetically and visually similar marks, providing a more complete picture of the risk landscape. The results of a search allow you to adjust the mark or the goods and services list before filing, reducing the opposition risk before it arises.

Run a free trademark search with Trama before filing your application.

Related questions

Stories of our clients: Take on Goliath

“A lot of businesses focus on the product: what's good about the product, what makes the product so different, the unique selling proposition. You hear these phrases all the time. Take On Goliath looks at things a little differently. We go far enough back to see what's needed to support the consumer, the retailer, the wholesaler, and then the brand itself.” Read the full story of Dave Christie, the founder of Take on Goliath, another inspiring brand protected by Trama that helps SME businesses be seen and heard more.

Should you trademark your domain name?

Intellectual property of a brand does not end with its name or logo, but can also cover domain name. If you want to reinforce your brand name and ensure visibility of your business online, you should consider trademarking your domain name.

Brand protection and music festivals: the case of Coachella

Ghana’s music festival Afrochella is accused of trademark infringement in a lawsuit filed by organizers of Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. This is not the first Goldenvoice, the company behind Coachella, have appeared in headlines for enforcing its trademarks, showing that music festivals are just as adamant about their intellectual property rights as any other brand.