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Can we narrow the list of classes on trademark application to minimise the risk of opposition?

Written by Jan Buza

Co-founder of Trama

Yes, removing classes where a conflict would arise with a previous mark does meaningfully lower the risk of receiving an office action or opposition in that class. If the given class is not essential to your business, removing it also removes the most likely ground for opposition.

This is a common strategic adjustment made in response to a pre-filing search or to resolve an office action. The limitation is that it leaves the withdrawn class unprotected; if that class covers genuine commercial activity, withdrawal creates a coverage gap.

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