About the Competition
The Cell for Studies in Intellectual Property Rights CSIPR at the National Law Institute University Bhopal is organising the 1st NLIU Anand and Anand Trademark Opposition Competition 2026. This practice oriented competition is designed to closely simulate real world trademark opposition proceedings before the Trade Marks Registry.
Participants will work on issues such as registrability of marks, likelihood of confusion, distinctiveness, dilution, and procedural compliance under the Trade Marks Act 1999. The competition aims to bridge classroom learning and practical strategy in trademark prosecution and opposition work.
About the Collaboration
This edition is supported by Anand and Anand as the Title Sponsor. As one of India’s foremost full service intellectual property law firms, Anand and Anand has shaped Indian IP jurisprudence through landmark judgments, pioneering litigation and strategic advisory across trademarks, patents, copyright, designs, technology law and commercial IP strategy.
Special appreciation is extended to Mr Rohil Bansal, Senior Associate, Anand and Anand, for facilitating this collaboration and for his commitment to experiential learning in trademark law.
Format and Structure
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The competition is based on a Trademark Opposition problem that mirrors proceedings before the Trade Marks Registry.
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There will be a Written Submission Qualification Round.
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Based on written submissions, the top 20 teams will qualify for the Oral Rounds to be held on campus at NLIU Bhopal.
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Participants will draft a Notice of Opposition and Counter Statement, develop arguments on both sides and present before expert panels in the oral rounds.
You can access the Problem Statement, Rulebook and Brochure here:
https://lnkd.in/dYPfpEFQ
Key Dates and Timeline
Phase I
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Registration deadline: 15 December 2025
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Notice of Opposition submission: 20 December 2025
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Counter Statement submission: 30 December 2025
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Declaration of top 20 teams: 5 January 2026
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Phase II registration: 10 January 2026
Oral Rounds at NLIU Bhopal
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24 January 2026: Inauguration, Preliminary Rounds, Quarter Finals
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25 January 2026: Semi Finals, Finals, Valedictory Ceremony
How to Register
Provisional registrations are now open. Teams can register through the following link on or before 15 December 2025:
https://lnkd.in/dezx5-yT
For clarifications or communication, write to:
tmocsipr@gmail.com
The organisers look forward to hosting teams from across the country for an intensive and enriching simulation of trademark opposition practice.
Official notification : Link
