Opposition proceedings cost £1,000-£5,000 to defend and take 6-18 months to resolve. By then, you've lost momentum and burned through cash on legal fees.
Opposition Window
2 months after publication. Anyone can oppose if they believe it conflicts with their rights.
Common Grounds
Similar to existing trademark, bad faith application, descriptive/generic term.
Your Options
Defend (£1,000-£5,000 legal fees), amend application, or withdraw and rebrand.
Success Rate
50-60% of oppositions succeed. If theirs is clearly similar, you'll likely lose.
Timeline
6-18 months to resolve. Expensive and stressful.
Prevention
Thorough search before applying. Use Trademark Lens to check variations and classes.