In India, trademark opposition is the legal system by which a third party objects to the registration of a trademark within a defined timeframe following its publication in the Trademarks Journal. Here is an outline of the trademark opposition process in India.

Publication in the Trademarks Journal: After the trademark application has been examined and determined to be compliance with the requirements, it is published in the Trademarks Journal.

Opposition Period: Following publication, any interested party has four months to file a notice of opposition with the Trademark Registry. The objection must be supported by valid reasons, such as similarity to an existing trademark, lack of uniqueness, Opposition might be founded on a variety of grounds, such as previous rights, possibility of confusion, incorrect resemblance or a breach of legal requirements.

Notice of Opposition: The opposing party must file a notice of opposition in the prescribed format, along with supporting facts and arguments, with the Trademark Registry. The notice should clearly identify the grounds for opposition as well as the relief requested.

Counter-Statement: After receiving the notice of opposition, the trademark applicant has two months to file a counter-statement that addresses the allegations mentioned in the objection.

Evidence and Hearings: Once the counter-statement has been filed, both parties may provide evidence and arguments to support their respective positions. The Trademark Registry may also schedule hearings so that the parties can present their cases.

Decision: After considering both parties’ arguments, the Trademark Registry will issue a decision either supporting the opposition and reducing the trademark application, or rejecting the opposition and allowing the trademark to proceed to registration.

Appeal: If either party is dissatisfied with the Trademark Registry’s judgment, they may file an appeal with the Intellectual Property Appellate Board (IPAB) within the specified term.

It is essential for both trademark applicants and opponents to follow the procedural requirements and deadlines throughout the opposition procedure. Seeking the advice of an experienced trademark attorney can help you manage the complexity of trademark opposition and increase your chances of a successful resolution.