Opposition and Cancellation Proceedings and Appeals

Opposition proceedings provide third parties with the opportunity to challenge the registration of a trademark, typically after the application has been published but before the trademark is officially granted. These proceedings are often initiated on the basis of earlier rights, such as prior trademarks, tradenames or protected denominations of origin. Cancellation proceedings are legal actions aimed at removing a registered trademark from the register. These can be initiated on various grounds, including non-use, invalidity, or if the mark was registered in bad faith. Cancellation may occur at any point after registration, depending on the applicable jurisdiction. 

Appeals are formal procedures used to contest decisions made by the trademark office, most commonly following a refusal of registration or an unsuccessful opposition or cancellation. Through an appeal, the applicant or opposing party can request a higher authority to review and potentially overturn the original decision, ensuring that trademark rights are assessed fairly and in line with applicable laws.