Formal legal challenge filed by third parties against your published trademark application claiming similarity or confusion risk.

Any individual/business claiming prior rights, similarity to existing marks, or bad faith in your application.

3 months from Trademark Journal publication date + 1-month condonable extension upon request.

Must file counter-statement within 2 months of notice receipt or application deemed abandoned.

Official defense document explaining why your trademark merits registration despite opposition claims.

Opposition → Counter-statement → Evidence exchange → Hearing → Registrar's final decision/order.

Yes, continue commercial use permitted; registration approval follows successful opposition defense.

Essential for proper counter-statement drafting, evidence compilation, and hearing representation.

Failure to respond within 2 months results in automatic application abandonment.

Yes, affidavits, documents, sales records, prior use proof strengthen your opposition defense.

Mandatory Registrar hearing where both parties present final arguments and evidence.

Typically 12-24 months depending on case complexity and Registry hearing schedules.

Opposition challenges pending applications; rectification/cancellation targets registered marks.

Yes, IP India portal supports electronic opposition and counter-statement submissions.

Registrar decisions appealable to IPAB/High Court within prescribed statutory timelines.