What is trademark watching?

Photo of Tomas Orsula

Written by Tomas Orsula

Senior Trademark Attorney

Trademark watching, also called Trademark monitoring, is the ongoing practice of tracking trademark databases for new applications that could infringe on the watcher's existing trademark.

One possible practical use for a trademark is the ability to oppose these new applications if the owner believes they are similar to such a degree that it could cause market confusion.

Trademark applications can only be opposed during a set time window in the registration process, called the "opposition period". Therefore, trademark watching has to be performed regularly to enable the trademark owner to react in time.

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