Brand Defense

Someone Filed on Your Brand
— We Fight Back

It feels like the ground just shifted. But the fight isn't over — in many cases, it's just beginning. We challenge squatters and bad-faith registrations through official legal channels, and we win.

Fixed-fee pricing. Does not include court appearances or secondary responses beyond the initial filing and prosecution phase.

Opposition

$3,699

Filed before trademark registers

Cancellation

$4,699

Filed after trademark registers

Two Legal Tools

Opposition vs. Cancellation — What's the Difference?

These terms confuse a lot of sellers. Here's the simple version: if their trademark hasn't been registered yet, you file an Opposition. If it's already registered, you file for Cancellation. We handle both.

When it applies

Opposition

During the publication period — before the trademark is registered

Cancellation

After the trademark has already been registered

Time window

Opposition

30 days (U.S.) / 3 months (EU) / varies by country

Cancellation

Generally no strict deadline (but earlier is better)

Difficulty & cost

Opposition

Lower cost, higher success rate

Cancellation

More evidence required, higher cost

Common grounds

Opposition

Likelihood of confusion, bad faith, lack of distinctiveness

Cancellation

Abandonment, fraudulent registration, genericness

Adjudicating body

Opposition

Trademark office examination board

Cancellation

USPTO TTAB (U.S.) or equivalent in other countries

Don't Wait

What's at Stake if You Do Nothing?

When sellers discover a squatted trademark, the instinct is often to wait and see — or to send an informal message hoping the other party backs down. Both approaches tend to backfire badly.

The Squatter Turns the Tables on You

Once they hold a registration, the squatter can file complaints against your Amazon listings — and suddenly you're the one being accused of infringement.

Missing the Window Multiplies Your Costs

Challenging a trademark during the opposition window is fast and relatively affordable. Once registered, a full cancellation costs 3–5× more.

Your Expansion Plans Are Locked Out

Ready to push into the U.S., EU, or another market? A squatted brand name in key trademark classes stalls every growth initiative.

Brand Registry Access Is Threatened

Amazon Brand Registry is built on your trademark. If disputed or overtaken, your entire Brand Registry enrollment is at risk.

You End Up in a Hostage Negotiation

Many squatters want to sell your brand back to you at an inflated price. The longer you wait, the weaker your negotiating position.

A Competitor Now Has a Legal Weapon

If the squatter is a competitor, they're after market share — not money. Holding your trademark gives them leverage to disrupt your business indefinitely.

Our Solution

How We Build and Win Your Case

From initial assessment to post-resolution protection — every step handled by licensed attorneys who specialize in trademark disputes.

01

Free Case Assessment

Our attorneys evaluate the severity of the situation, the strength of your claim, and the best available strategy — with a clear, honest assessment of likely costs and timelines.

02

Evidence Collection & Analysis

We compile your prior use evidence — sales records, marketing materials, customer reviews — and analyze the opposing mark's similarity and filing intent.

03

Filing of Official Documents

A licensed trademark attorney drafts and files your opposition or cancellation petition with the relevant trademark office, ensuring procedural accuracy and maximum protective scope.

04

Prosecution & Response

If the other side responds, we handle all rebuttals, supplemental filings, and hearing appearances on your behalf — keeping you updated at every stage.

05

Settlement Negotiation

Where settlement makes strategic sense, our attorneys negotiate on your behalf — often resolving cases faster and at lower cost.

06

Post-Resolution Protection

Once resolved, we help you reinforce your trademark portfolio to prevent the same vulnerability from recurring.

FAQ

Questions Sellers Ask Us Most

Clear answers to the most common questions about trademark opposition and cancellation proceedings.

I just discovered someone filed a trademark for my brand name. What should I do first?

Act immediately — don't wait and don't contact the other party directly. The first step is to have an attorney assess the situation: what stage is their application in, what countries are involved, and what evidence you have of prior use. Deadlines vary by jurisdiction (some as short as 30 days), and missing a window can turn a simple opposition into an expensive cancellation. Submit your case for a free assessment and we'll tell you exactly where you stand.

Can I still sell on Amazon while the dispute is ongoing?

Yes, in most cases you can continue selling. However, if the other party already holds a registration, they may file complaints with Amazon against your listings. This is one of the biggest risks of doing nothing — the tables can flip quickly. Our attorneys can advise on how to protect your listings during the dispute and, in many cases, file protective measures to keep your account safe while the case proceeds.

Their trademark is already registered. Is it too late for me?

No, it's not too late — but your strategy changes. Instead of an opposition (filed before registration), you'll need a cancellation proceeding (filed after). Cancellations require stronger evidence, such as proving the registrant acted in bad faith, abandoned the mark, or committed fraud in their application. It costs more and takes longer than an opposition, but with solid evidence and experienced counsel, cancellation is absolutely achievable.

What evidence do I need to prove the brand belongs to me?

The strongest evidence is proof that you used the brand in commerce before the other party filed. This includes: dated Amazon/Shopify sales records, product listings with timestamps, advertising spend and campaign data, customer reviews and communications, packaging designs with dates, and any prior trademark filings you may have. Even without a formal registration, this "prior use" evidence carries significant legal weight in most jurisdictions.

How much does this cost, and how long does it take?

A straightforward opposition with clear prior use typically costs $3,699. A cancellation (post-registration challenge) is $4,699 due to the additional evidence and procedural requirements. Timeline varies: if the other party withdraws, it can resolve in 2–4 months. A fully contested proceeding may take 12–18 months. These are fixed fees — no hourly billing surprises. We provide a transparent quote after our free case assessment.

The squatter contacted me offering to sell the trademark. Should I negotiate?

Don't negotiate without an attorney. Any communications you have with the squatter could weaken your legal position. The right move: have us evaluate the strength of your case first. The stronger your legal claim, the less leverage the squatter has. In many instances, simply filing an official opposition or cancellation petition causes them to back down — without you paying a cent for the trademark itself.

My brand is being challenged in multiple countries. Can you handle all of them?

Yes. We coordinate multi-jurisdictional campaigns through our network of licensed attorneys across all major markets — U.S., EU, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, and more. Acting across multiple countries simultaneously increases your negotiating leverage: the squatter realizes they're facing a coordinated response on all fronts, which often leads to faster, more favorable resolutions.

Don't Let a Squatter Own Your Brand

Every day you wait, your legal position weakens and your costs multiply. Submit your case details now and our attorneys will evaluate your situation — free of charge.