UK trade mark opposition

You have 2 months to oppose a conflicting trade mark. Most businesses never find out in time.

Every Friday, the UK IPO publishes new trade mark applications. Once published, you have exactly 2 months to file an opposition, or lose your chance.

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How the opposition timeline works

A UK trade mark application goes through several stages before it becomes a registered right. The opposition window is the only point where a third party can challenge the application at low cost.

1
Application filed
Applicant files at the UK IPO with a filing fee of £205 online or £250 on paper.
2
Examination
IPO examiner reviews for absolute grounds (descriptiveness, deceptiveness, etc.). Takes 1-3 months.
3
Published in the Journal
Application appears in the weekly Trade Marks Journal. This starts the clock.
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2-month opposition window
Anyone can file a TM7 opposition notice (£125 or £250 fee, depending on the grounds) on grounds such as likelihood of confusion with an earlier mark.
5
Registration
If no opposition is filed (or opposition fails), the mark is registered. After the opposition window the route is invalidation (official fee £250), a full tribunal action against a registered mark that may already be in use.

What counts as a "similar" mark?

The IPO assesses similarity across four dimensions. A mark doesn't need to be identical to be opposed - it just needs to create a likelihood of confusion.

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Visual similarity
How the marks look when written or displayed. ADIBAS vs ADIDAS, for example.
🔊
Phonetic similarity
How the marks sound when spoken aloud. "PHISH FOOD" vs "FISH FOOD".
💡
Conceptual similarity
Whether the marks share the same idea or meaning. "SUNRISE" vs "DAWN".
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Goods & Services
Marks for similar goods/services in the same or related Nice classes are more likely to conflict.

What changes if you miss the deadline

The 2-month opposition window is when a conflicting application can be opposed. Once it closes, the mark proceeds to registration.

Opposition (during 2-month window)
Official fee: £125 or £250
Invalidity application (after registration)
Official fee: £250
Court action (passing off / infringement)
Official fee: Court fees vary
After the window: invalidation
After the opposition window the route is invalidation (official fee £250), a full tribunal action against a registered mark that may already be in use.

Check if your brand is at risk

Search 21.26M UK, EU and US trade marks instantly. See if any recently published applications conflict with your brand name.

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Never miss an opposition deadline again

TMGuard automatically scans every weekly IPO Trade Marks Journal and alerts you when a conflicting mark is published, giving you the full 2 months to act.

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Weekly scans
Every Friday journal, automatically checked against your brands.
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Instant alerts
Email notifications when a potential conflict is found.
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Risk scoring
AI-powered scoring (0-100) so you focus on real threats.
✓
Deadline tracking
Countdown timers for every 2-month opposition window.
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Frequently asked questions

How long do I have to oppose a UK trade mark?+
You have exactly 2 months from the date a trade mark application is published in the UK IPO Trade Marks Journal. A Notice of Threatened Opposition (TM7A), filed within the two months, is free and extends the window to three months from publication, but only for the person who files it and the companies in its group.
How much does it cost to oppose a trade mark in the UK?+
Filing a TM7 opposition notice costs £125 if you rely only on section 5(1)/5(2) grounds (identical or confusingly similar earlier marks), or £250 if you include other grounds (official IPO fees). Costs between the parties are awarded on the IPO's published scale as a contribution, not full recovery; the median award in 2025 was £900 across 622 decisions.
What happens if I miss the trade mark opposition deadline?+
If you miss the 2-month opposition window, the trade mark will proceed to registration. Your only options then are: (1) apply for a declaration of invalidity, (2) take court action for trade mark infringement or passing off, or (3) negotiate directly with the trade mark owner. After the opposition window the route is invalidation (official fee £250), a full tribunal action against a registered mark that may already be in use.
On what grounds can I oppose a UK trade mark?+
The most common grounds for opposition are: Section 5(2)(b) of the Trade Marks Act 1994 - likelihood of confusion with an earlier similar mark for similar goods/services; Section 5(3) - reputation and unfair advantage; Section 5(4)(a) - passing off based on unregistered rights; and Section 3 grounds including bad faith, descriptiveness, or lack of distinctiveness.
How do I monitor the UK Trade Marks Journal for conflicting filings?+
The UK IPO publishes the Trade Marks Journal every Friday, containing all newly examined trade mark applications. You can manually download and search each journal from the IPO website, or use an automated monitoring service like TMGuard that scans every journal and alerts you to potential conflicts with your brand.
Is TMGuard a law firm?+
TMGuard is not a law firm and is not regulated by the SRA or IPReg. Nothing TMGuard produces is legally privileged: your searches, alerts, decisions and any report may have to be disclosed if you are ever in proceedings. For advice on your own position, use a qualified trade mark attorney.