Dan Harris is a founding member of Harris Sliwoski, an international law firm where he mostly represents companies doing business in emerging market countries. Most of his time is spent helping American and European companies navigate foreign countries by working with the international lawyers at his firm in setting up companies overseas (WFOEs, Subsidiaries, Rep Offices and Joint Ventures), drafting international contracts, protecting IP, and overseeing M&A transactions.
In addition, Dan writes and speaks extensively on international law, with a focus on protecting foreign businesses in their overseas operations. He is also a prolific and widely-followed blogger, writing as the co-author of the award-winning China Law Blog.
The Shift in Global Manufacturing Contracts Tensions between China and the West have prompted US and European companies to diversify their supply chains and to re-examine their manufacturing contracts. Companies that manufactured their products in China under single contract systems are now adapting to work with factories worldwide. Previously focused on a single country, these
China Manufacturing Risks Are at Level 11 Making products in China is much more complex than it was five years ago, due to these factors: 1. The U.S. tariffs have profoundly impacted companies that ship products from China to the United States or make products in China. Many of my law firm’s clients will not
Changing Your China Company Legal Representative With so many foreign companies looking to close down their Chinese entities (almost always a WFOE) and leave the country, my law firm’s China lawyers are having to deal with a lot of WFOEs whose legal representatives are no longer with the foreign company. These companies need their legal
The Rise of China Distribution Agreements My law firm’s China lawyers have recently seen an uptick in China distribution agreements for foreign companies seeking to sell their products and services in China. This surge is driven by growing concerns over the risks that come with having a foreign presence in China, including geopolitical tensions, and
Key Legal Considerations for Doing Business in China Foreign companies doing business in or even with China face a complex legal landscape. Navigating these regulations can be challenging, but it is crucial for ensuring compliance and avoiding legal trouble. This blog post provides an overview of key legal considerations for foreign companies operating in or
China Software Licensing Registration Challenges As China becomes increasingly risky and complicated for direct entry and subsequent in-country operations, licensing is becoming increasingly common for many Western companies. This is especially true for software companies. However, China’s network of licensing and royalty regulations has stymied many seeking to license their software for Chinese distribution. Requirements
Introduction to NNN Agreements and Our Pioneering Role Our law firm was among the first to emphasize the importance of securing a China-centric NNN Agreement before sharing confidential information with Chinese manufacturers. We have consistently emphasized the value of NNN Agreements in the decades since. See, e.g., China NNN Agreements and China NNN Agreements Up
China Distributor Relationships Make Sense, Especially Now My law firm’s China lawyers have drafted more China product distribution agreements in the last three years than in the ten years prior. Foreign companies want to profit from China’s consumer and industrial markets, but they are wary of going into China (or remaining in China) in a
China’s Evolving Manufacturing Landscape Rising geopolitical uncertainties around China have transformed the landscape of Chinese manufacturing and IP asset protection. This post examines the escalating challenges faced by Western enterprises, and provides steps companies should take to safeguard their products and intellectual property from increasingly desperate Chinese factories. It focuses on essential, yet frequently undervalued, mold
The Importance of Accurate Contract Translations Your contract with your Chinese co-party is your key to a successful China venture and your lifeboat should the business relationship go awry. That being the case, I am always amazed how often people essentially ignore the translation of their contract. Inaccurate contract translations can both generate more disputes
