Law360, New York (July 6, 2015, 11:59 AM EDT) -- An opposition proceeding affords third parties an opportunity to object to a trademark application that they believe may harm their business or cause consumer confusion. Publication of a trademark application initiates the opposition period. Once a mark is published, third parties who believe that they will be damaged by registration of the trademark have 30 days to institute a trademark opposition proceeding by filing a notice of opposition with the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. Alternatively, potential opposers may file a request for an extension of time to oppose within that 30 day period. The ability to oppose is limited to applications for registration on the Principal Register. Applications for the Supplemental Register cannot be opposed and are considered registered as of the publication date. (Third parties who wish to object to a mark on the Supplemental Register may petition to cancel the mark after it registers.)...