Intellectual Property
Trademark Objection
Oftentimes, during the trademark registration process, the Trademark Registrar raises objections on the intended trademark if it violates rules and laws of trademark registration.
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A trademark is a logo, symbol, tagline, or a combination of these that represents a brand’s identity. Oftentimes, during the trademark registration process, the Trademark Registrar raises objections on the intended trademark if it violates rules and laws of trademark registration.
It could be due to several reasons like similarity with an existing trademark, offensive to a particular religion, absence of a distinct design, etc. In the event of a trademark objection, a comprehensive reply needs to be filed within a month, from the date of issuance of the objection.
Why Respond to a Trademark Objection
Likely Clearance
If you respond with clear evidence regarding the distinctiveness of your trademark, the chance that your application will be cleared is high. So there’s no reason for your application to be abandoned just because of the objection. The Registrar may only need a clarification.
Brand Protection
By the time of the objection, you would have been using the ™ symbol for a few months. Your customers would have likely become accustomed to the brand name. Filing a new application would not make business sense. Instead, you could simply identify the list of reasons your logo, slogan or brand name are different.
Trademark Journal
Trade Mark Journal is an official gazette of the Trade Marks Registry. If the Trademark Examiner determines that the reply to the objection sufficiently addresses all concerns cited in the Trademark Examination report, the trademark is advertised in the Trademark Journal. While the application is advertised, third-parties have an opportunity to oppose the registration of the mark.
Trademark Objection
As per the Trademark Act, any person can file notice of opposition against a trademark application within a period of four months from the date on which the mark is advertised or re-advertised in the Trademark Journal. After receiving the notice of opposition, the applicant is required to file a counter statement within two months.
Timeline
Post filing of a trademark application, it is important to periodically check the status of the trademark application until its processing on the Government side. Trademark registration sometimes requires various time-bound response or action from the applicant. Hence, it’s important to continually check the status of the application and take required action until registration.
Process
Filing a response to the objections raised by a Trademark Examiner in the Trademark Examination report does not guarantee registration of the trademark. Trademark registration is a process and registration is provided only by the Trademark Registrar – based on the facts of each case. Hence, our professionals can only make best efforts for registration based on expertise.
Reduced Compliance
An LLP only requires audited annual returns to be filed if it has a turnover of greater than Rs. 40 lakh or capital contribution of over Rs. 25 lakh. It also needs to communicate fewer business transactions and structural changes than a private limited company.
Tax Advantages
There are some important advantages over the private limited company. For example, Dividend Distribution Tax and tax surcharge don’t apply. Loans to partners are also not taxable as income.
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- Checklist
- Detailed Process
- Eligibility Check
Checklist For A Trademark Objection
The Trademark Examiner scrutinizes the trademark application to make sure the application isn’t in conflict with any trademark rules. A trademark application can face objection for any of the following reasons:
Filing Of Incorrect Trademark Form
If the application is not filed using the correct form an objection would be raised by the examiner. For example, it is Form TM-4 for registration of collective marks for goods and services in any one class. Form TM-51 for registration of a trademark under different classes of goods and services.
Incorrect Trademark Applicant Name
Trademark has to be filed on the true name of the applicant and double-checked for the right spellings.
Usage Of Deceptive And Offensive Terms
Trademark names that include deceptive terms or that which try to deceive or mislead customers with false descriptions of products or services will be rejected. For instance, an entity branded “Vanilla chocolates” that sells chocolate flavours may be deemed deceptive. At the same time, applications registering for trademarks containing offensive terms will be rejected.
Insufficient Information On Goods/Services:
When the trademark application fails to mention in brief the products and services of the business, it is highly likely that the Trademark Examiner may reject the application due to the vague information.
Existence Of An Identical Mark:
The intended trademark must not be similar to any mark that already exists in the industry. The Trademark Examiner can raise objections under the Trademarks Act stating that it might create confusion among the masses.
How To File A Trademark Objection Response - A Detailed Process
When an objection is raised, the status of the trademark in the Indian Trademark Registry will be marked as “Objected”. The following are the steps to file a response in the event of a trademark objection.
Step 1: Analyzing Trademark Objection
The first step involves analyzing and studying the objection carefully, as any ambiguity in understanding can lead to incorrect filing of Trademark Objection Response.
Step 2: Drafting Of Trademark Objection Response
The next step is to draft a trademark reply which should include the following:
- A proper answer to the objection raised with supporting rule of law and precedents and judgments supporting the case
- The differences between the conflicting mark and the mark of the applicant.
- Other supporting documents and evidence that validates the response.
- An affidavit stating the usage of the trademark in the applicant’s website and social media channels; advertisement in the media; publicity material; availability of trademarked products on e-commerce sites, etc. along with the documentary proof for the same
- The response draft is then filed online on the Trademark e-filing portal
Step 3: Trademark Hearing
If the response is accepted, the application will be processed further for registration and advertisement in the Trademark Journal. If it is not accepted, or there are additional clarifications sought by the Trademark Examiner, there would be a trademark hearing scheduled and the same will be notified with a notice.
Step 4: Publication In The Trademark Journal
If the outcome at the hearing is positive, the mark will be accepted and will be ordered to be published in the Trademark Journal.
In the event of a negative outcome, the Refusal Order will be passed, explaining the reason for the refusal. The applicant still would have the option to appeal the order by filing a review petition within 30 days from the date of the Refusal Order mentioning the grounds on which the order must be reviewed.
Step 5: Registration
Once your trademark is published in the Trademark Journal, it will be open to scrutiny for a period of four months. If no third-party oppositions are filed within that period the mark will then proceed towards registration, and the Registration Certification is issued. If an objection is filed the opposition proceedings will take place as per the prescribed rules of the law.
Trademark Objection Process
Intimation
If you have filed your trademark with us, we will intimate you that your trademark has been objected by the Registrar less than a month from the publication of the Examination Report containing the objection. If you are not a customer, it's best you contact us within a month from the publication of the report.
Our Legal Team
We give due importance to each case and our best lawyers will handle your case and prepare the documents. The response will be submitted.
Handling Objections
If the Registrar does not accept your initial response, an interview is scheduled, where the arguments are presented in person. If the government is satisfied with the response, the objection will be lifted within 18 months.
Process
01
Trademark Search
We conduct a thorough search of the TM directory
01
Trademark Search
We conduct a thorough search of the TM directory
01
Trademark Search
We conduct a thorough search of the TM directory
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Trademark Objection
On receipt of the documents we at Filing Duniya can get the trademark registration process commence in less than a day’s time. As our availability has never been an issue you can feel free to contact us over text messages, emails or call in case of any queries.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How will I know my Trademark is objected?
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The status of the trademark application can be tracked here.The status will be displayed as “Objected”.
- What are the common reasons for Trademark Objection?
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Trademarks are rejected due to one or more of the following reasons: Usage of scandalous or offensive words Absence of unique signs and terms Official and Patriotic resemblances-like flag or emblem Existence of identical marks in the industry
- When should the response be drafted and submitted?
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The response has to be submitted within 30 days from the date of issuance of the examination report.
- What to do in case the deadline for the Trademark Objection response has been missed?
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Filing Duniya professionals can help file extension thirty days after the deadline. If there is one, check its status. If it is either approved, applied, objected or opposed, it makes sense to pick another name. Do also check for phonetic similarities with other registered names. To do this, you need to select the dropdown at the top of the page. While the phonetic search isn’t very accurate, you can say with certainty that your trademark will be approved if there aren’t any relevant matches here either.
- Should I submit a User Affidavit along with the response to an objection or examination report?
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Yes. An affidavit mentioning the usage of the Trademark has to be submitted mandatorily. If there is one, check its status. If it is either approved, applied, objected or opposed, it makes sense to pick another name. Do also check for phonetic similarities with other registered names. To do this, you need to select the dropdown at the top of the page. While the phonetic search isn’t very accurate, you can say with certainty that your trademark will be approved if there aren’t any relevant matches here either.
- What happens if one cannot attend the Hearing at the scheduled date?
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The applicant may request a hearing adjournment if he/she is not able to attend it. If there is one, check its status. If it is either approved, applied, objected or opposed, it makes sense to pick another name. Do also check for phonetic similarities with other registered names. To do this, you need to select the dropdown at the top of the page. While the phonetic search isn’t very accurate, you can say with certainty that your trademark will be approved if there aren’t any relevant matches here either.
- How long should I wait for the Hearing?
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If your mark has been accepted, it will be advertised in the Journal within four months of raising an objection. If no such third parties raise trademark oppositions, the trademark will be registered in a couple of weeks. If there is one, check its status. If it is either approved, applied, objected or opposed, it makes sense to pick another name. Do also check for phonetic similarities with other registered names. To do this, you need to select the dropdown at the top of the page. While the phonetic search isn’t very accurate, you can say with certainty that your trademark will be approved if there aren’t any relevant matches here either.
- After the Hearing, when will the Trademark be registered?
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Trademark will be registered in 3-5 months, approximately. If there is one, check its status. If it is either approved, applied, objected or opposed, it makes sense to pick another name. Do also check for phonetic similarities with other registered names. To do this, you need to select the dropdown at the top of the page. While the phonetic search isn’t very accurate, you can say with certainty that your trademark will be approved if there aren’t any relevant matches here either.
- What if the Hearing is not successful?
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If it is not successful, there will be a Refusal Order passed that explains the reason for the refusal.
- What happens if I run my business with a rejected Trademark?
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It is always advisable to contest the rejected trademark and/or apply for a new trademark application, as the case may be. Trademark registration is mandatory for taking legal action against infringers.
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