No. Objection is raised by the Trademark Examiner (government official) during the examination report stage. Opposition is raised by a third party (competitor or public) after the mark is advertised in the journal.

It is a lengthy legal process that typically takes 12–24 months. The timeline depends on the complexity of the case, how quickly both parties submit evidence, and the scheduling of the final hearing.

Yes, you can generally continue using your brand while the opposition is pending, unless a court has specifically issued a temporary restraining order or injunction stopping you from doing so.

This is critical: If you fail to file a Counter-Statement (Form TM-O) within 2 months of receiving the opposition notice, your trademark application will be treated as abandoned permanently. There is usually no extension allowed for this specific deadline.

Yes. Many applicants win opposition cases if they can prove prior usage, distinctiveness, and honest adoption of the mark. Having solid evidence (invoices, ads, media coverage) is key to winning.

Yes. If the Registrar dismisses the opposition (rules in your favor), your application will proceed to the final stage, and the Registration Certificate will be issued.

Under Section 21 of the Trademarks Act, "any person" can file an opposition. They do not necessarily need to be a registered trademark owner or have a commercial interest; however, they must usually demonstrate how registration of the mark would cause confusion or violate the law.

Common grounds include: the mark is deceptively similar to an existing mark (Section 11), it is descriptive or non-distinctive (Section 9), it was filed in "bad faith," or it contains content that is offensive or likely to hurt religious sentiments.

As of the current rules, the official government filing fee for a Notice of Opposition (Form TM-O) is typically ₹2,700 (for online filing) or ₹3,000 (physical filing). Note that this does not include professional attorney fees for drafting the notice.

Yes. If you are unhappy with the final decision made by the Registrar of Trademarks, you can file an appeal with the relevant High Court (previously IPAB) within the prescribed time limit, usually 3 months from the date of the order.