Glossary
French: opposition INPI
An INPI opposition is an opposition filed with the INPI against a French trademark application — or against the French designation of an international registration. To be admissible, it must be filed within two months of publication of the contested application in the BOPI. Two months, non-extendable: for US owners used to the TTAB’s extendable 30-day window, this is the deadline that makes a trademark watch indispensable.
An INPI opposition may rely on one or several grounds (earlier rights). Official fees: €400 for one ground, €550 for two, and €150 for each additional ground beyond the first.
The opposition can be based on an earlier trademark, whether registered or not yet — if the earlier mark is still a pending application, the opposition is suspended until it registers. Other prior rights can also be invoked: a company name and, under certain conditions, a trade name, shop sign or domain name. Copyright cannot support an INPI opposition (unlike an invalidity action or litigation).
Depending on how the proceedings unfold, total duration ranges from six months to a year on average. The procedure can be suspended by joint request of the parties — suspensions designed to foster amicable settlement, typically through a coexistence agreement.
The INPI can refuse the opposed application but cannot award damages or enjoin use — for that, see trademark infringement in France.
Full procedure and strategy: trademark opposition before the INPI. See also: EUIPO opposition, likelihood of confusion.