TTAB in Q3 2025: Filings Rise 2.4 Percent With Sustained Opposition Wins

Quarterly TTAB Report | USPTO TTAB data through September 30, 2025

Executive Summary

• Filings increase 2.4 percent quarter over quarter. Total proceedings filed reached 6,718, up 155 from the prior quarter.
• Extensions of time to oppose remain the largest category. 3,053 extensions accounted for nearly half of all activity.
• Oppositions produce the clearest merits signal. 1,242 sustained decisions versus 774 dismissed or denied across 2,059 decision rows.
• Cancellations show petitioners prevailing on the merits. 447 granted outcomes against 288 dismissed or denied.
• High-profile brands filed multiple new matters. Amazon Technologies, Nike, Apple, and Google each opened proceedings in the final week of the quarter.

1. Filing Volume

Proceeding Type	Proceedings Filed	Prior Quarter	QoQ Change
Extensions of Time to Oppose	3053	2785	+268
Oppositions	2002	2047	-45
Ex Parte Appeal	908	998	-90
Cancellations	748	727	+21
Miscellaneous	6	2	+4
Concurrent Use	1	4	-3
Quarter Total	6718	6563	+155

Filings grew modestly from the second quarter. Extensions of time to oppose drove the entire net increase, rising 268 cases while oppositions and ex parte appeals each declined. Cancellations edged higher by 21 filings. The quarter total of 6,718 matches the pre-computed headline figure exactly.

The shift toward extensions suggests parties continue to seek additional preparation time before committing to full opposition proceedings. Ex parte appeals fell for the second consecutive quarter, consistent with applicants electing to amend or abandon rather than appeal final refusals.

2. Outcomes by Proceeding Type

Proceeding Type	Proceedings With Any Decision	Decision Rows Total	Sustained / Granted	Dismissed / Denied	Affirmed	Reversed	Other	Recon	Moot
Oppositions	2026	2059	1242	774	0	0	39	2	2
Ex Parte Appeal	769	836	0	254	73	3	125	355	26
Cancellations	759	767	447	288	0	0	26	1	5
Concurrent Use	6	6	0	0	0	0	5	0	1
Extensions of Time to Oppose	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0

Opposition outcomes favored plaintiffs on the merits by a clear margin. The 1,242 sustained decisions represent the largest single category across all proceeding types. Dismissals and denials totaled 774, producing a sustained-to-dismissed ratio of roughly 1.6 to 1.

Ex parte appeals recorded 73 affirmed and only 3 reversed outcomes. Recon decisions accounted for 355 rows, indicating frequent requests for rehearing after initial Board action. The 125 other decisions cover procedural orders that do not resolve the refusal on substantive grounds.

Cancellations produced 447 granted decisions against 288 dismissed or denied. Petitioners therefore succeeded on the merits in the majority of contested cancellation records that reached a final Board determination.

3. Terminations

Proceeding Type	Total Terminated	With Decision	No Decision
Extensions of Time to Oppose	2966	0	2966
Oppositions	1960	1927	33
Ex Parte Appeal	933	224	709
Cancellations	586	389	197
Concurrent Use	5	5	0
Miscellaneous	4	0	4

Oppositions that terminated did so overwhelmingly with a Board decision on file. Only 33 of 1,960 terminations lacked a merits ruling, confirming that most contested oppositions proceed to judgment rather than settle. Extensions of time to oppose, by contrast, almost never produce a decision record because they function as procedural extensions rather than contested cases.

4. High-Profile Proceedings

Amazon Technologies, Inc. – 91302068

Amazon filed this opposition on September 30. The proceeding signals continued aggressive enforcement of the Amazon mark across multiple classes.

Nike, Inc. – 91302053

Nike opened this opposition on September 30. The filing reflects ongoing protection of the Nike and Swoosh family of marks in apparel and footwear.

Amazon Technologies, Inc. – 91302069

A second Amazon opposition filed the same day targets another applicant. Multiple filings in a single day underscore the brand's high-volume enforcement posture.

Apple Inc. – 91302017

Apple filed three separate oppositions on September 29. The cluster of filings indicates active monitoring of marks that may conflict with core Apple branding.

Google LLC – 99055823

Google requested an extension of time to oppose on September 30. The extension preserves the company's ability to challenge a potentially conflicting mark without immediate full opposition.

5. Notable Decisions

On September 30 the Board sustained the opposition in 91299929 brought by McDonald's Corporation against Zhengzhou Tuofen Trading Co., Ltd. The decision reinforces protection of well-known restaurant marks against later applicants in food-related classes.

Also on September 30 the Board sustained 91299979 in favor of Custom California Craft Beer, LLC against Xiantao Zhongkang Nonwoven Products Co., Ltd., finding likelihood of confusion in the beer and beverage space.

Multiple additional oppositions resolved the same day with sustained outcomes, including 91299980, 91299981, and 91299982, each involving marks opposed by Nanjing Chenying Electronic Technology Co., Ltd. or related parties.

Practitioner Takeaways

1. Monitor extension filings closely. The 3,053 extensions filed this quarter represent the primary growth driver and often precede full oppositions by major brands.
2. Expect sustained outcomes in contested oppositions. The 1,242 sustained decisions versus 774 dismissed show plaintiffs prevailing more often when cases reach final judgment.
3. Track ex parte appeal recon requests. 355 reconsideration rows indicate that applicants frequently seek rehearing after an initial affirmance.
4. Review cancellation grants for registration maintenance. 447 granted cancellations demonstrate that petitioners can successfully clear the register when marks are no longer in use.
5. Prepare for clustered filings by large brands. Amazon, Nike, and Apple each filed multiple matters in the final days of the quarter, a pattern likely to repeat.

Data sourced from USPTO TTAB records and public filings. Figures reflect proceedings as recorded through the report date and will change as cases progress. This report is informational and does not constitute legal advice.

Explore more USPTO data analysis on the GleanMark Insights blog.