The specific procedures and timelines for trademark examination and opposition proceedings may vary between countries, but generally, if a trademark examiner sends a hearing notice to the applicant, it means that there are objections or issues with the trademark application that need to be addressed before the application can be accepted for registration. The hearing notice provides the applicant an opportunity to respond to the objections or provide evidence in support of the application.
If the applicant fails to respond to the hearing notice within the prescribed timeline, the trademark application may be considered abandoned or refused. However, the exact consequences of non-response may depend on the specific rules and procedures of the trademark office.
In some cases, the trademark office may allow the applicant to request an extension of time to respond to the hearing notice, provided that the request is filed before the expiration of the original deadline. If the applicant does not respond to the hearing notice or request an extension of time, the application may be refused or abandoned.
If the application is refused, the applicant may have the option to appeal the decision or file a new trademark application. The decision to appeal or file a new application would depend on the specific circumstances of the case and the reasons for refusal.
It’s important for trademark applicants to be aware of the timelines and procedures for responding to examination reports, hearing notices, or opposition proceedings to avoid losing their trademark rights or having their applications refused.