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What an office action is
After you file, the office examines the application. If it finds a problem, it writes to you. Countries call this an objection, an examination report or an office action. Typical reasons are a mark that is too close to an earlier one, a mark that only describes the goods, wording of the goods and services that is too vague, or something missing from the application. See why offices refuse.
The letter sets a time for your reply. The time differs by country and can be short. If it passes without a reply, the application can be refused or treated as abandoned.
What we do
- Reading the letter, finding the deadline, and telling you in plain words what the office is saying
- Setting out your options: argue the point, change the list of goods and services, limit the application, or add evidence
- Sending you a written quote before we start. See charged only if it happens
- Preparing the reply and sending it to you for approval
- Filing the reply and keeping you informed of the office’s answer
How it works
- Send us the letterAs soon as it arrives, with the application number and the country. If the deadline is near, say so.
- We read itWe find the deadline and the exact grounds, and explain them to you.
- Options and quoteYou get our view of the options and a written quote, with our fee and any official fee shown separately.
- Reply for approvalWe prepare the reply and send it to you.
- We fileOn your approval, we file the reply and follow the office’s answer.
A careful reply gives the application its best chance, but the office decides, and nobody can promise it will accept. Who may answer an office for you differs by country; we tell you what applies before we quote. If someone else opposes the application, that is a dispute: see Trademark Disputes.
Common questions
What is an office action?
The message in which a trademark office tells you it has a problem with your application, for example that the mark is too close to an earlier one, describes the goods too vaguely or lacks something required. Different countries call it an objection, an examination report or an office action.
How long do I have to reply?
The office sets the time, and it differs by country. It can be short, and if it passes without a reply the application can be refused or treated as abandoned. Send us the notice as soon as it arrives.
Is the reply included in the registration fee?
No. A reply is extra work that only becomes necessary in some cases, so we quote it separately and in writing before we start. See charged only if it happens.
Can you promise the office will accept the reply?
No. The office decides. We explain your options plainly, prepare the best reply the facts allow, and keep you informed.
Can you help if another firm filed my application?
Send us the notice and the application details. We can tell you what the objection means. Whether we can act for you depends on the country, because who may answer an office differs from place to place.
What if someone else opposes my application?
That is an opposition, not an office action. It is a dispute, and we arrange it through partners: see trademark disputes.
Where can I read about the usual reasons for objections?
See why offices refuse.