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How do I oppose someone else's trademark application?

Founder & Trademark Attorney

To oppose a trademark application, the opposition must be filed with the IP office of the relevant jurisdiction within the publication window; 30 days in the US, two months in the UK, three months in the EU.

Before filing, confirm you have standing: you must have a real and legitimate interest in the outcome, typically as the owner of an earlier mark that is confusingly similar to the applied-for one. Identify the specific grounds for opposition (likelihood of confusion, descriptiveness, bad faith, or other applicable grounds in the jurisdiction) and gather the evidence needed to support them.

The notice of opposition is filed using the IP office's official form, either online or by post, and the applicable government fee must be paid for the opposition to be considered valid. Legal representation is advisable for complex cases; handling opposition proceedings without professional assistance risks procedural errors that can be difficult to recover from.

If your application has been opposed, get a free initial review with Trama's attorneys.

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