When a conflicting trademark application is published in China, anyone can oppose it within 3 months of the publication date. If someone has applied to register your brand or a lookalike, opposition is often the fastest way to stop them.
The 3-month window
After CNIPA approves an application at the initial examination stage, it is published, and the law gives third parties 3 months to file an opposition. Miss the window and the mark proceeds to registration, which makes the fight harder and more expensive.
When opposition makes sense
- A squatter filed your brand name or a confusingly similar one
- A competitor filed a mark that could block your launch
- The application is bad-faith or purely speculative
What you need to win
Evidence of your prior use, sales, marketing and registrations outside China all help prove bad faith. In our experience, the strength of the evidence matters more than the length of the argument. We review the application and tell you honestly whether opposition is worth the cost before you commit.
Related protections
Opposition is one tool among several. If the mark is already registered, invalidation and non-use cancellation are the routes. Monitoring catches the publication early so you never miss the window. See our pricing page for anti-squatting services, or send us the application number for a free initial assessment.
