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Trademark Opposition in India

Are you planning to register a trademark for your brand in India? As exciting as it may seem, the process is not without its challenges. One of the most common hurdles faced by trademark applicants in India is opposition. If you’re unfamiliar with this term, don’t worry – we’ve got you covered. In this blog post, we’ll be delving into trademark opposition in India, what it means, and how to handle it. So, if you’re looking to protect your business and brand identity, read on to find out more!

1. Trademark Opposition in India

Trademark opposition in India is an integral part of trademark law. The owner of a proposed trademark has to file a notice with the Registrar of Trademarks for its registration. However, any individual or entity can file an opposition against the proposed trademark published in the trademark journal. The trademark opposition process is regulated by the Act and the Trade Marks Rules of 2017 in India.

There are various grounds for opposition of trademark registration, including confusion with an already existing trademark, no distinctive character, scandalous or obscene content, and hurtful religious sentiments. When an opposition is filed, the application reflects as “Opposed.” The opponent has to file evidence supporting their notice, and the trademark applicant has to counter the opposition with their evidence.

In India, the time limit for filing an opposition is four months from the date of publication of the trademark. Any person can file a notice of opposition, including individuals, companies, partnerships, and trusts. The notice of opposition should be filed at the trademark office where the application for the conflicting mark has been filed.

Trademark opposition in India follows a clear step-by-step procedure, including filing a notice of opposition, filing of a counter statement, and submission of evidence. The ultimate goal is to maintain trademark integrity in India and protect creators’ rights. 

2. Grounds for Opposition of Trademark Registration

Trademark Opposition in India can be filed by any individual or entity and has to be done within four months of the proposed trademark’s publication in the trademark journal. The grounds for opposition include confusing similarity with existing trademarks, lack of distinctiveness, use of scandalous or obscene content, and violation of religious sentiments. Upon receiving the notice of opposition, the applicant has to file a counter statement within two months, failing which the application may be abandoned. Both parties can submit pieces of evidence to support their cases within specific timelines.

The process of opposition in India is governed by the Trade Marks Rules of 2017 and Section 21 of the Act. It is important to note that the registration of a proposed trademark can be opposed under absolute as well as relative grounds. The absolute grounds include explicit contravention of trademark rules, while the relative grounds are based on the priority of usage of the brand name.

Trademark opposition can be a serious issue for businesses, and it is essential to understand the process and grounds for opposition to protect the integrity of trademarks in India. In the next section, we will discuss the timeline for filing notice of opposition, along with the counterstatement and evidence submission process. 

3. Timeline for Filing Notice of Opposition

After a Trademark is published in the Trademarks Journal, the opponent has four months to file an opposition. This opposition notice should contain the details of the opposing party and the grounds for opposition. Once the notice is filed, the Registry will serve the notice on the applicant concerned. The applicant then has two months to file a counter statement. If the Counter-Statement is not filed within two months, the Applicant is deemed to have abandoned the Trademark application. If the Counter-Statement is filed, the opponent has two months to file evidence by way of an Affidavit. The opponent also has the option to not file the Affidavit if they only want to rely on the facts stated in the notice of opposition. The opponent is required to inform the officials and the other party within the specified time or the wise opposition will be considered abandoned. The applicant then has two months to file evidence to support their counter-statement, and within one month of receiving this evidence or waiver, the opponent can file additional evidence in support of their opposition. Typically, a hearing is scheduled within three months of the completion of evidence, where both parties are notified, and the Registrar makes the final decision. 

4. Counter statement for Notice of Trademark Opposition

In the process of trademark opposition, the counter statement plays a crucial role in defending the trademark application against objections. The counter statement must be filed within two months of receiving the notice of opposition, and the applicant must provide a rebuttal of the claims made in the opposition notice. Failure to file the counter statement within the given time limit results in the abandonment of the trademark application. It is important to note that no extension is available for filing the counter statement. The Trade Marks Registry in India reviews the counter statement for formalities and then serves it on the opponent for further proceedings. Rule 42 of the Trade Mark Rules allows for an expedited process by permitting the filing of a counter statement before the service of the opposition notice. This can help speed up the process of trademark opposition. It is advisable to seek the assistance of a professional trademark attorney to draft a strong and effective counter statement that can support the trademark application and defend it against objections. 

5. Evidence Submission for Trademark Opposition

In the process of trademark opposition, evidence submission plays a crucial role. The opposing party files evidence to support their notice of opposition with the Registrar within two months of receiving the counterstatement from the trademark applicant. On the other hand, the trademark applicant submits evidence supporting the registration of their proposed trademark within two months of receiving the evidence copy from the opposing party. The opposition party can also submit additional evidence within one month of receiving the trademark applicant’s copy. The evidence can be in the form of an affidavit or other supporting documents.

It’s worth noting that evidence submission is not mandatory; however, absence of evidence can negatively impact the case. The evidence submitted by both parties is considered during the hearing, along with other relevant details, before the Registrar decides whether the proposed trademark should be accepted or not. With proper evidence submission, the opponents can win the opposition case based on their grounds of opposition.

Therefore, it’s crucial to have a robust case and submit relevant and convincing evidence during the trademark opposition process. As per Section 21 of the Trademark Act, any aggrieved third party can raise opposition against the registration of a proposed trademark, and effective evidence submission can help strengthen the case even more. 

6. Hearing and Decision on Trademark Opposition

In the process of trademark opposition in India, a hearing is conducted after a notice of opposition has been filed against a proposed trademark published in the trademark journal. The hearing allows for the opposing party and the applicant to present evidence and make their case before the Registrar of Trademarks. Under Section 21 of the Trademarks Act, any individual or entity can file a notice of opposition with the Registrar, citing any valid grounds for opposition. The opposing party has to file evidence supporting their notice of opposition to the Registrar within two months of receiving the counter statement submitted by the trademark applicant. The applicant must then submit evidence supporting the registration of their proposed trademark within two months of receiving the evidence copy from the opposing party. If the applicant fails to submit a counter statement within two months of receiving the trademark opposition notice, the Registrar shall consider the application for trademark registration abandoned. After the completion of evidence, a hearing is scheduled within three months, and the Registrar will decide whether the trademark should be accepted or not. It’s crucial to note that the Indian Trademark law provides enough checks and securities to maintain the uniqueness of the registered marks in the registry and protect the creator’s rights from infringement. 

7. Protection of Creator’s Rights in Trademark Law

In the Indian trademark law, enough checks and securities are provided to maintain the uniqueness of the registered marks in the registry and also to protect the creator’s rights from infringement. The Trademark Act of 1999 provides for three-tier security for trademark registration. One can file a notice of opposition against subject trademark stating their objections as provided under Section 21 of The Trademark Act 1999. However, there are different grounds for initiating a trademark opposition proceeding, and these will depend on the facts and circumstances of each case. Some of the grounds for opposing a trademark provided under the Trademark Act of 1999 are if the trademark is similar or identical to an earlier or existing registered trademark, the mark is not of distinctive character, and the application for the trademark is made with bad faith.

In India, any person can file a notice of opposition that includes any natural or legal person like companies, partnership firms, etc. So, the owner of an earlier trademark application or registration covering a similar trademark for similar goods, and a person who has used the same or a similar trademark prior to the client but who hasn’t registered his trademark, can initiate trademark opposition proceedings. If a trademark opposition is filed against a mark, the applicant can file a counter-statement, and both parties have the opportunity to file evidence to support their opposition or counter-statement. The Registrar shall then decide whether the trademark should be accepted or not after considering the evidence submitted by the parties. 

8. Process of Trademark Registration in India

When comes to trademark registration in India, the process can be quite lengthy and complex. It involves advertising the mark in the Trademark Journal and initiating trademark opposition proceedings if any person objects. The trademark opposition process can be initiated by filing a notice of opposition within four months of the advertisement or re-advertisement of the application in the Trademark Journal. The notice should be filed using Trademark Form 5 in the prescribed manner with the applicable fees. The subsequent steps involve a counter statement from the trademark applicant, submission of evidence by the opposing party, and a ruling from the Registrar based on the evidences presented.

It is important to note that a trademark opposition can be raised on various grounds, including similarity or identity with an existing registered trademark, lack of distinctive character, descriptiveness, bad faith, and likelihood of causing confusion or harm to an existing brand name. To ensure a smooth process of registering a trademark in India, it is advisable to conduct a thorough search for existing trademarks and choose a unique trademark that aligns with the brand’s values and identity. A unique trademark can not only help in building a strong brand identity but also avoid the risk of trademark opposition. 

9. Importance of Unique Trademarks for Branding

In the crowded marketplace, it is imperative for businesses to obtain legal protection of their goods or services through trademarks. A unique trademark allows a business to stand out among its competitors and enables customers to easily locate their favorite brands. In India, trademarks are governed by the Trade Marks Act 1999, and the process of trademark registration involves several necessary steps. It begins with a trademark search to ensure the mark’s validity and uniqueness, followed by filing a trademark application, examination by an examiner, and publication in the Trademark Journal. Once the trademark is published, it is open to opposition for three months, during which anyone can file an objection. An opposition can be filed on several grounds, including lack of distinctiveness and similarity to an existing registered trademark. Therefore, it is vital for businesses to have a unique trademark that stands out and does not infringe on pre-existing trademarks. As Vedant Saxena from Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law Punjab explains, “Trademark Integrity is vital to protecting a brand’s identity and avoiding the complexities of trademark litigation.” 

10. Conclusion: Maintaining Trademark Integrity in India

In conclusion, maintaining trademark integrity is crucial not only for businesses but also for consumers in India. With the rise of fraudulent trademark filings and fanciful failures, it’s imperative to promote clear and memorable marks that are associated with the goods they represent. The need to protect brand owners’ control over listings that contain their products is vitally important. The Trademark Trial and Appeal Board Manual of Procedure and the Trademark Modernization Act of 2020 seek to protect businesses from these fraudulent filings. Still, it’s essential to be vigilant against this pervasive problem. As the manual is updated every year, it is crucial to keep up to date with the latest changes to provide adequate protection to business owners. It is the responsibility of business owners to ensure that their trademarks are clear, distinctive, and that they do not infringe on consumer rights. Maintaining trademark integrity has a ripple effect on the overall health of the marketplace in India and ensures that genuine business owners are not undercut by fraudulent filings and fanciful failures. 

11. Frequently Asked Questions about Trademark Opposition in India

What are the basic requirements for filing a trademark opposition in India?

A trademark can be opposed once it has been published in the Trademarks Journal within a prescribed period of four months from the date on which the mark was advertised or re-advertised. Any person can file a notice of opposition against the trademark by filing a notice of opposition with the Registry in the prescribed manner and with the requisite fee. The Act provides that any person can file a notice of opposition against the trademark, and the Opponent is not required to have an application/registration in India to oppose any trademark.

What are the grounds for opposing a trademark in India?

A trademark can be opposed on the following grounds: absolute grounds of refusal as provided under Section 9 of the Act (the trademark not being distinctive or not being capable of distinguishing the goods/services of the Applicant from those of others), relative grounds of refusal as provided under Section 11 of the Act (the trademark being phonetically, visually, conceptually, confusingly, and deceptively similar/identical to the Opponent’s trademark and/or in respect of similar goods/services), and other relevant grounds depending on the facts of the matter (the Opponent’s trademark being well-known, copyright in the artistic work, geographical indication, etc.).

What are the steps involved in the trademark opposition process in India?

The various steps involved in the trademark opposition process include:

Filing notice of opposition: A trademark has to be opposed once it has been published in the Trademarks Journal within a prescribed period of four months from the date on which it was advertised.

Filing a counter statement: Within two months of receiving the notice of opposition, the Applicant shall file its counter statement specifying the facts and submissions in support of their application under opposition.

Evidence stage: If the Applicant files the counter statement, the opposition proceeds to the evidence stage, where both parties file their affidavits by way of evidence.

Hearing: In case the pleadings are complete, the matter will proceed to hearing in due course.

Decision: After hearing and considering the evidence, the Registrar shall decide whether the trademark is to be accepted for registration or not.Â