Similarity to an earlier mark
The opposing party argues your mark looks, sounds or means the same as theirs and could confuse consumers.
Trademark defense · Bogotá
Trademark opposition in Colombia, defend your brand on time
An opposition does not mean you lost your trademark, but the clock is running. We review your case, assess the opposing party’s arguments and file your response with the SIC, Colombia’s trademark office.
- Review of the opposition and your real chances
- Legal response within the statutory deadline
- Representation before the SIC until the final decision
Reply in under 3 business hours. Online anywhere or in person in Bogotá by appointment.
What an opposition is
Someone claims your trademark affects their rights
When you apply for a trademark in Colombia, the Superintendence of Industry and Commerce (SIC) publishes it in the Industrial Property Gazette. For 30 business days, anyone can file an opposition. It is not a ruling: the SIC decides after hearing both sides. These are the most common grounds.
Related goods or services
Even if the marks are in different classes, they may argue the goods or services are connected in the market.
Well-known mark or prior rights
They claim their mark is widely known or that they hold earlier rights, such as a trade name in use.
What is included
Full defense of your trademark before the SIC
Opposition review
We review the notice, the opposing mark, its registrations and its arguments.
Honest assessment
If your case is weak, we tell you and suggest alternatives before you spend money.
Response with evidence
We draft and file your response on time, with the evidence that supports your position.
Negotiation
When it makes sense, we explore a coexistence agreement as a faster way out.
Opposing third-party marks
We oppose applications similar to yours so the SIC refuses to register them.
Appeals against refusals
If the SIC refuses your mark, we review the decision and file the appeal.
How we defend you
How we answer an opposition before the SIC
01Case review
We analyze the notice, the opposing mark and the arguments raised.
02Assessment
We tell you how strong your position is and what your options are, including settlement.
03Defense strategy
We build the arguments: differences between the marks, market coexistence or non-use of the opposing mark, depending on the case.
04Filing with the SIC
We file the response on time, backed by evidence.
05Follow-up to decision
We stay with you until the SIC rules and, if the outcome is unfavorable, assess an appeal.
You have 30 business days from notice. The sooner we see your case, the better.
Opposing a trademark
Is someone trying to register a mark similar to yours?
If an identical or similar mark is published in the Gazette, you have 30 business days to oppose it. If you do not, it may be registered and coexist with yours, with the risk of confusion and lost customers. We file the opposition with arguments and evidence to keep your brand unique.
Our trademark watch service checks every Gazette and alerts you in time.
Signs you should act
- You found a similar application in the Gazette
- A competitor uses a similar name on related goods or services
- You received a trademark watch alert
- A customer confused your business with another
If the SIC refuses your mark
A refusal from the SIC is not the end
The decision can be appealed within 10 business days of notice. We review the grounds and, if there are arguments to reverse it, file an appeal so a higher authority reviews it.
We also help if another company uses your registered trademark without permission.
Appeal the decision
We review why your mark was refused and ask for the decision to be revoked if there are grounds.
Unauthorized use
Enforcement action if a third party uses your registered mark without permission.
Clients
Client experiences
“Thanks to you, my brand can be used and I can keep sponsoring my team.”
Jorge William
Agua River“I am the CEO of Pharol in Chile and Colombia, a company that sells health products. We were very pleased to have Alejandro Quintana as our lawyer to register our trademarks with the SIC and to launch this project in Colombia.”
Felipe Fleiderman
Pharol“I am the manager of AquaShield Colombia, a car detailing company. Having Alejandro Quintana by our side to register our trademark in Colombia was a great experience.”
Julián Velásquez
AquaShield“Dk Diskon is the brand behind our technology products. Today we are happy to have our trademark registered thanks to Alejandro’s advice.”
Cristian Castiblanco
Dk Diskon
The statements in this section were made by their authors and are published with their permission. They reflect personal, individual experiences and are not a promise or guarantee of results in other matters. Each case depends on its own facts, evidence, authorities, third parties and applicable law. Results obtained in past matters do not guarantee future results. Translated from the original Spanish.
Your lawyer
Alejandro Quintana Vega
Lawyer from Universidad del Rosario with 13+ years advising growing companies, digital businesses and startups. He handles every case personally.
- Specialist in Commercial Law, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana
- Master’s in Intellectual Property, Industrial Law and New Technologies, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
- Master’s in Artificial Intelligence, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
- Lecturer at universities in Colombia, Mexico and Poland
FAQ
What clients usually ask us
How long do I have to answer an opposition?
30 business days from the SIC notice. Do not wait until the last week: a solid response takes time.
What if I do not respond?
The SIC decides without your arguments, which raises the risk that your application is refused.
Does an opposition mean I will lose my trademark?
No. It is a third party’s argument, and the SIC decides after reviewing your response. Many oppositions can be overcome.
How long do I have to oppose a mark?
30 business days from publication of the application in the Industrial Property Gazette.
How much does it cost?
It depends on how complex the case is. We send you a quote after reviewing it.
Can you take over a case someone else filed?
Yes. We check the status of your application and take over the defense from wherever it stands.
Can we settle with the opposing party?
Sometimes. A coexistence agreement can be faster and cheaper than waiting for a decision.
Can I handle everything from abroad?
Yes. The whole process is online. Send us the SIC notice on WhatsApp to get started, and we work with you in English.
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