Trademark opposition: how to stop a similar mark within the deadline

Registering your mark is half the work; the other half is making sure nobody else registers a mark that can be confused with yours. The main tool for this is trademark opposition: once an application is published, you, as the holder of an earlier right, can ask the office to refuse the new mark. In Albania the deadline is 3 months from publication. Here is how it works and how you do it on trademark.al.

Trademarks in the DPPI register (Albania): 63.899
Trademarks in the KIPA register (Kosovo): 45.262
Companies in the QKB register (Albania): 366.371
Businesses in the ARBK register (Kosovo): 274.947

What opposition is and who can file it

Once the office publishes an application, holders of earlier rights – most commonly, the owner of a mark registered or applied for earlier for identical or similar goods or services – can file an opposition. The office examines the conflict before the new mark is registered. Well-known marks enjoy broader protection, even beyond the goods they are known for.

The opposition is prepared and filed by the representative, who knows the office's procedure and deadlines; you provide the evidence and information about your mark.

The deadline: 3 months from publication

At the General Directorate of Industrial Property (DPPI), the deadline to oppose is 3 months from the publication of the mark you want to oppose. The deadline is not extended because you did not notice the application. Once the other mark is registered, the remaining remedies – such as a request for a declaration of invalidity – are usually more complicated.

For Kosovo marks, the opposition is filed with the Kosovo Industrial Property Agency (KIPA), after publication in its bulletin; on the platform the steps are the same and the alert shows you the opposition deadline.

What the office assesses

How similar the signs are – in appearance, sound and meaning.
How similar the goods and services are – not just the class number, but also the market and the customers.

The more similar both are, the greater the risk that buyers confuse them. Example: you own “Teuta” for coffee and see the application “Teuta Coffee” for coffee in the bulletin – file an opposition within the deadline, with the evidence for your mark.

How to spot a similar mark in time

Applications are published in the official bulletins of DPPI and KIPA, but following them by hand is tiring. On trademark.al the bulletins are split by mark, and monitoring compares your marks with new Albanian and Kosovo marks. TMA reviews every find and approved alerts are sent every morning, usually at 06:00, with the similarity percentage and the opposition deadline. Even for a mark without monitoring, very strong finds are shown to you as locked results, with the opposition deadline.

How to file an opposition on trademark.al

In one click from an alert

Under Alerts, the “Oppose this application” button opens the opposition for an Albanian or Kosovo mark: you receive the power of attorney for the case by e-mail and a payment request at TMA's price. After payment, TMA takes the case over. Only the owner of the mark can start an opposition from an alert.

From Services

Under Services choose Opposition and your mark. The request goes to the mark's representative; TMA sets the price and you pay by card or bank transfer, with the transaction fee included. You are notified of every status change.

There is no opposition before the trademark office against a company with a similar name: opposition applies only to trademark applications.

When someone opposes your mark

If your application is opposed, the representative records the opposition on the mark's page, with the response deadline in their calendar; the mark's status becomes Opposed and the response procedure is opened, at TMA's price. Send the documents you are asked for on time: a delay may cost a legal deadline. The office decides, and the opposition may be upheld, partly upheld – e.g. only for some goods – or rejected. The decision can be appealed before the Board of Appeal, which you request as a service.

How to prepare a strong opposition

The earlier right: the number and date of your mark, its classes and goods.
The comparison: why the signs are similar and why the goods are the same or related.
The evidence: invoices, catalogues, adverts and web pages with dates.
Timing: do not leave it to the last days of the deadline.

Mistakes that weaken it: relying only on the company name – which is not a registered mark – forgetting the goods and lacking evidence. Read more in Trademark opposition: the 3-month deadline.

Current fees

Albania

Opposition procedure: 49.999,00 ALL

Kosovo

Opposition procedure: 49.999,00 ALL

The total includes the office fee, representation, the administration fee and the transaction fee. The full price, line by line, is shown before payment.

Frequently asked questions

How long do I have to oppose a trademark in Albania?

3 months from the publication of the mark you want to oppose. The deadline is not extended because you did not notice the application, so monitoring helps you learn about it in time.

Can I oppose a Kosovo mark through trademark.al?

Yes. The opposition is filed with KIPA, after publication in its bulletin; on the platform the steps are the same – from an alert or from Services.

Can I oppose a registered company with a similar name?

Not before the trademark office: opposition applies only to trademark applications. The alert informs you, so that you can decide with your representative what to do.

Who can start an opposition from an alert?

Only the owner of the mark. Once the payment request is paid, TMA takes the case over.

How much does an opposition cost?

TMA sets the price and you see it before paying, with the administration fee and the transaction fee. Payments on the platform are non-refundable.

Do not miss the opposition deadline

Put your mark under monitoring and receive alerts reviewed by TMA, with the opposition deadline and one-click opposition.