What happens if I do not reply within 30 days?

CNIPA still decides the case, using only the opponent's arguments and evidence. A reply on time puts your side on the record.

Does my evidence have to be in Chinese?

Yes. Any foreign-language certificate or evidence needs a Chinese translation. Without one, it is treated as not filed.

If I win the opposition, can the opponent appeal?

Not through a review of the opposition decision. The mark registers, and the opponent's route is a separate request to CNIPA to declare the registration invalid.

Does the 2026 Trademark Law change affect my case?

The revised law takes effect on 1 January 2027. It shortens the opposition window to 2 months and renumbers the grounds, so check which version applies to your publication date.

When do my rights start if the opposition fails?

If the mark is approved after an opposition, the exclusive right counts from the day the publication period ended, not from the decision date.

How long do I have to respond to a China Notice of Opposition?

Your written reply is due 30 days from receiving CNIPA's copy of the opposition. If you do not reply, CNIPA still decides the case, only without your arguments. If you need more time for evidence, say so in the reply, and the extra evidence can follow within 3 months.

Opposition defence · CNIPA

Your Chinese trademark was opposed. Answer within 30 days.

CNIPA gives you 30 days from receipt to reply. Stay silent and it decides on the opponent's case alone.

Defend My Mark

Questions first? Ask our attorney.

Defence from $700, confirmed in writing after a free review.

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GTC attorney preparing a China opposition defence

10+ years

Top IP Consultancy for E-Commerce, IIPLA 2026Upwork · Top Rated Plus

Trusted by founders and brands worldwide

Before you start

Is this your situation?

Your application was opposedOur attorney files your reply with CNIPA within 30 days, then the evidence.Defend My Mark
CNIPA refused it after the oppositionAsk CNIPA to review within 15 days of receipt. After that, the refusal is final.Defend My Mark
You want to stop another markFile your own opposition within 3 months of publication. From 1 January 2027, 2 months.See Opposition Filing

How pricing works

A flat fee, agreed before any work.

1
Free review

Send the notice. Our attorney reads the grounds and tells you where you stand.
2
A fixed price in writing

Defence starts from $700. You get the fixed price for your reply before any work begins. Later rounds are quoted the same way.
3
Office fees at cost

Any CNIPA fees are passed through at cost, itemised before you pay.

The first flat fee covers

Notice of Opposition triage. Read the grounds, identify the senior right, scope the defence
Cooling-off period management (where CNIPA Trademark Office allows). Explore coexistence
Answer / Counter-Statement drafted to the tribunal's pleading rules
Evidence package: use specimens, market data, prior-registration certificates, expert declarations
Tribunal filing via the CNIPA portal with deadline management
Adverse-decision strategy: appeal to the relevant appellate forum if needed

Know the rules

How oppositions run at CNIPA.

CNIPA decides even if you do not reply: No default
For all evidence, or it counts as not filed: Chinese
When your rights start if you win: End of publication
The opponent's only route after you win: Invalidation

1

CNIPA serves the papers

You receive a copy of the opposition and the opponent's grounds.
2

File your written reply

Within 30 days. Answer each ground, and say if more evidence will follow.
3

Add your evidence

Within 3 months of the reply: use, sales and media coverage in China.
4

CNIPA decides

It approves the mark, refuses it, or approves it for some goods only.

Key dates

30 days from receipt

Reply to the opposition
+3 months

Extra evidence, if reserved
12 months after publication

CNIPA decides, 6 more if extended
15 days from refusal

Ask CNIPA to review
30 days from review decision

Sue in the People's Court

Your deadlines

Your situation

Date you received the papers

An estimate counted from the day you received it. We confirm the date from CNIPA's notice.

Pick a date to see your own deadlines.

What you need

Power of attorney for the Chinese trademark agency
Written reply answering each ground
Evidence of use and reputation in China
Chinese translation of every foreign document

Common mistake

Staying silent

No reply does not stop the case. CNIPA decides on the opponent's evidence.

Common mistake

Evidence in English only

Foreign-language evidence without a Chinese translation counts as not filed.

Grounds an opponent can use

Article 30 Prior conflicting mark
Article 11 Lack of distinctiveness
Article 32 Prior use / bad-faith filing

Official sources (4)

The team on your file

Your attorney, and a team behind every step.

Our attorney drafts and files your reply and evidence with CNIPA. Your account team tracks every deadline.

Your Account Manager

Your day-to-day contact. Knows your file, so every conversation starts where the last one ended.
Your Senior Account Manager

Senior oversight on strategy and anything that escalates, so nothing important slips.

Lead attorney

Janice Chen

China Attorney

CNIPA agent of record

View profile

The wider GTC team

Attorneys and legal specialists supporting your matter.

Meet our team

In their words

Rajat has expertly guided me through the process of registering my company in the USA, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, and more. Currently, he is safeguarding my business interests on a global scale. His dedication and expertise are unmatched.

Darius Tay, Indonesia

ExcellentTrustpilot

Chinese opposition questions