Article 196

1. International registration designating the Union shall be subject to opposition in the same way as published EU trade mark applications.

2. Notice of opposition shall be filed within a period of three months which shall begin one month following the date of the publication pursuant to Article 190(1). The opposition shall not be considered as duly entered until the opposition fee has been paid.

3. Refusal of protection shall take the place of refusal of an EU trade mark application.

4. The Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 208 specifying the procedure for the filing and examination of an opposition, including the necessary communications to be made to the International Bureau.