File or defend a trademark opposition with expert drafting
Trademark opposition support in India: file a notice of opposition or a counter-statement, drafted by professionals in the Vibence partner network. From ₹249.
- Fixed, itemised price
- Partner CA / CS / advocate
- Free Ambition Pro for 12 months
Trademark Opposition at a glance
- Professional fee
- From ₹249 + government fees and GST
- Typical timeline
- The first filing is typically ready within a week of receiving your documents, while the full opposition process often runs much longer and depends on the Registry and the other party.
- Who handles it
- A qualified professional from the Vibence partner network
- Documents
- Copy of the Trade Marks Journal advertisement or the notice of opposition received, Your trademark application or registration details, Proof of use such as invoices, advertisements and website pages and more
- Included free
- Free Ambition Pro for 12 months and domains at cost
Last reviewed October 2026
Once a trademark is accepted, it is advertised in the Trade Marks Journal so that anyone who objects can oppose it. If you spot a mark that is confusingly similar to your own, you can file a notice of opposition within the period allowed after advertisement. If your own mark is opposed, you need to file a counter-statement within two months of receiving the notice of opposition. Missing that date can mean your application is treated as abandoned.
Vibence helps on both sides of an opposition. Qualified professionals from our partner network review the facts, draft the notice of opposition or the counter-statement and file it with the Registry. Opposition then moves through evidence and a hearing before the Registrar decides. These proceedings can take time, and no outcome can be guaranteed. Clear drafting at the first stage sets out your case properly from the start.
Who this is for
- Brand owners who see a similar mark advertised in the Trade Marks Journal
- Applicants who have received a notice of opposition
- Businesses protecting an established brand from copycats
- Owners who need to switch representation midway through opposition
Protect your brand
Opposing a similar mark early can stop a confusing registration before it is granted.
Defend your filing
A well-drafted counter-statement keeps your application alive and answers each ground raised.
Deadline tracking
Strict statutory time limits are tracked so key dates are not missed.
Clear next steps
You understand the evidence and hearing stages that follow the first filing.
Trademark Opposition packages
Fixed professional fees. Pick a plan or ask us to tailor one.
Consultation
- Initial advice call on your opposition matter
- Email support
Reply to opposition
- Drafting and filing of the counter-statement to an opposition
- Call and email support
File an opposition
- Drafting and filing of a notice of opposition
- Call and email support
Opposition and reply
- Drafting and filing of a notice of opposition
- Drafting and filing of the counter-statement to an opposition
- Change of power of attorney where needed
- Extension-of-time form where needed
- Call and email support
Filing a notice of opposition or a counter-statement attracts an official fee per class or application under the Trade Marks Rules, payable in addition to the professional fee and GST.
Documents you'll need
- Copy of the Trade Marks Journal advertisement or the notice of opposition received
- Your trademark application or registration details
- Proof of use such as invoices, advertisements and website pages
- Signed authorisation or power of attorney in favour of the professional
- Brief history of your brand and when you started using it
- Applicant's identity and address proof
The first filing is typically ready within a week of receiving your documents, while the full opposition process often runs much longer and depends on the Registry and the other party.
Filing a notice of opposition or a counter-statement attracts an official fee per class or application under the Trade Marks Rules, payable in addition to the professional fee and GST.
Qualified professionals from the Vibence partner network, with certification wherever the law requires it.
The process
- Case reviewA professional reviews the advertised mark or the opposition you received and explains your options.
- StrategyGrounds, supporting facts and deadlines are agreed with you.
- DraftingThe notice of opposition or counter-statement is drafted for your approval.
- FilingThe document is filed online with the Registry within the time limit.
- Next stagesYou are guided through the evidence and hearing stages that follow.
Trademark Opposition: FAQs
What is a trademark opposition?
A trademark opposition is a formal objection by a third party to a mark that has been accepted and advertised in the Trade Marks Journal. Anyone who believes the mark should not be registered, for example because it is similar to their own brand, can oppose it. The Registrar then hears both sides and decides whether the mark proceeds to registration.
What is the deadline to file a counter-statement?
If your trademark has been opposed, you must file a counter-statement within two months from the date you receive the notice of opposition. If you do not file it in time, your application can be treated as abandoned. This deadline is strict, so it is important to start preparing as soon as the notice arrives.
When can I oppose someone else's trademark?
You can oppose a trademark after it is advertised in the Trade Marks Journal, within the period allowed by the Trade Marks Act. Monitoring the journal or setting up a watch on your brand helps you spot similar marks in time. Grounds often include similarity to your earlier mark, prior use or bad faith adoption of the name.
What happens after the counter-statement is filed?
Once the counter-statement is filed, both parties get the chance to file evidence in support of their case, usually by affidavit. The matter is then listed for a hearing before the Registrar. After hearing both sides, the Registrar decides whether the mark is registered or refused. The process can take a considerable time and the outcome is not guaranteed.
Can an opposition be settled?
Yes. Many oppositions end in a negotiated settlement, such as a coexistence agreement, a narrowing of the goods or services, or one party withdrawing. Settlement can save time and cost for both sides. Any agreement should be documented properly and the Registry informed so the record reflects the outcome. An advocate from the partner network can help with the paperwork.
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