Summary
The Trade Marks Registry’s public notice dated 31 August 2026 announces a Special Disposal Drive for pending opposition matters involving settlement or withdrawal of the application or opposition. Hybrid hearings are scheduled every working Friday from 4 September to December 2026, according to the filing year of the underlying application. Parties must submit supporting documents at least three days before their scheduled hearing. Non-appearance or non-compliance may result in an ex parte decision or disposal on merits.
Special Disposal Drive for Settled Matters and Withdrawals
The Trade Marks Registry has announced a Special Disposal Drive to expedite long-pending opposition proceedings where parties wish to withdraw the trade mark application or opposition, or have reached an amicable settlement.
The public notice bears Reference No. TMR/Public Notice/2026/4546 and is dated 31 August 2026. It provides for hearings on every working Friday until December 2026, commencing on 4 September 2026. Parties may participate physically or virtually.
As per the notice, the drive aims to address the backlog systematically, streamline procedures, enhance transparency, and promote ease of doing business within the intellectual property ecosystem. The Registry has stated that the exercise will uphold the principles of natural justice.
Hearing Schedule and Timings
Hearings will be arranged according to the filing year of the underlying trade mark application. The notice describes this arrangement as scheduling in ten-year blocks and provides the following allocation:
- September 2026: Every working Friday, for applications filed prior to 2000.
- October 2026: Every working Friday, for applications filed between 2001 and 2010.
- November 2026: Every working Friday, for applications filed between 2011 and 2020.
- December 2026: Every working Friday, for applications filed between 2021 and “Till Date”, as stated in the notice.
All hearings will be held in hybrid mode, with physical and virtual options available. The timings are the same for each month:
- Morning session: 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM.
- Afternoon session: 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM.
The schedule is based on the year in which the trade mark application was filed. It must be noted that applications filed in 2000 are not expressly allocated a hearing month. The September category covers applications filed prior to 2000, while the October category begins with 2001.
Documents Must Be Submitted Three Days Before the Hearing
Applicants, opponents, and their authorised advocates or agents are directed to upload or submit the relevant documentary evidence of settlement, the settlement deed, or the withdrawal request at least three days before the respective scheduled Friday hearing.
Documents may be submitted through the online portal or by email. The notice does not specify an email address for this purpose.
Physical and Virtual Attendance
All concerned parties or their authorised legal representatives are advised to check the status of their opposition matters and appear before the Hearing Officer on the scheduled date.
For virtual attendance, parties must use the official link published on the IP India portal. Those choosing physical attendance may appear at the Trade Marks Registry.
Consequences of Non-Appearance or Non-Compliance
The notice states that, in the event of non-appearance or non-compliance on the scheduled hearing date, the matter shall be decided ex parte, meaning in the absence of the non-appearing party, or dealt with on merits.
Such disposal will be based on the records available with the Office and will be in accordance with the Trade Marks Act, 1999, and the Trade Marks Rules, 2017.
Issuing Authority and Official Notice
The notice is signed by the Registrar of Trade Marks and carries the designation of the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks, Registrar of Copyrights and GI.
The drive provides a scheduled process for disposal of opposition matters involving settlement or withdrawal, subject to timely submission of documents and participation in the hearing.