After the formality examination has been completed and all is found to be in order, the Trademark Office will conduct a search of the trademarks records to see if the same or similar trademark has already been registered or been applied for by another trader in respect of the same or similar class of goods and services.

The Trademark Office will also see if the trademark satisfies the registration requirements laid down in the local Trade Marks Law. The examiner will then issue an opinion in writing which will either lay out the grounds for objection to the mark or confirm the mark is acceptable for registration.

The Trademark Office will indicate in the opinion why the application is rejected and suggest way(s) of overcoming the rejection if possible. The applicant has a period of time (varies by country) to meet the requirements. Extension may be granted in some countries.

We highly recommend you appoint a professional agent, like Kaizen, to take over the application and advise you further action.

When removing conflicting goods or services is not work or fail to obtain letter(s) of consent, you may consider to provide evidences of use of your mark which show the date of first use is much earlier than the application date of the prior mark(s). The Examiner may consider your mark has been put into use and promotion for a long-term period, your applied-for mark is not likely to cause confusion to the public.

However, please understand that the Examiner may confirm the decision of rejection even you submit an argument and supporting documents.