Fred leads Harris Sliwoski’s intellectual property practice and is the coordinator of the firm’s international team. Much of Fred’s practice consists of helping cannabis businesses protect their brands. He also works with entrepreneurs and companies entering the Web3 space, a new frontier for IP law. Prior to joining Harris Sliwoski, Fred worked overseas for more than a decade, in both government and private sector roles. Fred is a regular contributor to the award-winning China Law Blog and Canna Law Blog.
Fred began his career overseas as a U.S. consular officer in Guangzhou, China, where he advocated for fairer treatment of American companies and citizens in China and for stronger intellectual property rights enforcement. After entering the private sector, Fred worked at a Shanghai law firm as a foreign legal advisor and later joined one of the oldest American law firms in China, helping foreign companies navigate the Chinese legal environment. He also led the legal team at a Hong Kong-based brand protection consultancy, spending most of his time out in the field, protecting clients against counterfeiters and fraudsters in Greater China, Southeast Asia and Latin America.
In addition to his IP work, as a native Spanish speaker, Fred works closely with different Harris Sliwoski teams on Latin America and Spain matters. Fred also provides advice to cannabis industry participants and other businesses on import and export transactions.
Fred is an ardent supporter of FC Barcelona—and would be even in the absence of Catalan forebears who immigrated to Puerto Rico in the mid-1800s.
Beyond China and Why You Need a Central Trademark/IP Hub What we’re seeing as companies diversify beyond China In recent years, a large chunk of our work has been helping long-term and new China clients shift manufacturing and supply chains to other parts of Asia, as well as to Latin America and Europe. As they
China Trademark Company Names: What Foreign Brands Must Know Before Filing Why a Chinese Name is Required for Your Trademark Filing in China If you file a trademark in China, you must provide a Chinese-language version of your company name for the application. China’s trademark registry maintains official records in Chinese, so the applicant’s name
China is a first-to-file trademark country, but filing first does not always end the analysis. This guide explains how trademark squatting affects companies that manufacture, source, sell, license, exhibit, or plan to enter China; what changes under China’s 2026 Trademark Law; and what to do if someone else has already filed your mark.
Inside the Trademark Mills: How Foreign Filing Abuses Are Undermining the U.S. Trademark System Earlier today, I received an unsolicited email from a Chinese IP firm—or someone claiming to be one. It's similar to other messages I’ve received over the years from so-called "firms." It read as follows: We are __________ Intellectual Property Co., Ltd.,
Who Should Own Your Trademarks? When launching a business, registering a trademark in the countries where you operate (including where you manufacture) is often, and wisely, one of the first steps you as an entrepreneur will take to protect your brand. But a deceptively simple question quickly arises: Who should own the trademark? You as
Learn when to use the Madrid System for international trademark registration and when to avoid it. Expert guidance on global trademark protection.
Russia Non-Use Cancellation Actions Signal Risk for Foreign Trademark Holders in China Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, foreign trademark owners have faced an increasingly volatile and unpredictable intellectual property environment. Forced to navigate a spider's web of sanctions, corporate exits, and deteriorating diplomatic relations, many international brands scaled back or fully withdrew from
Navigating Trademark "Use" in China: Your Essential Guide The Cornerstone of Chinese IP Law: Understanding Trademark "Use" Navigating trademark law in China can be challenging, especially when it comes to understanding what counts as legitimate trademark "use." This guide will help you understand the key aspects of trademark use under Chinese law. It offers actionable
Transferring Your China Trademarks: How to Move Them Safely and Strategically If your China trademarks are still owned by your China-based entity or by a company actively doing business in China, you’re exposed to significant legal and operational risks. These trademarks are valuable IP assets—but because they are registered in China, they remain subject to
Key Lessons for Doing Business Overseas In August 2024, a Thai court sentenced Spaniard Daniel Sancho to life in prison for the murder and dismemberment of Colombian plastic surgeon Edwin Arrieta. The crime occurred on the Thai holiday island of Koh Pha-ngan, better known for full moon parties than high-profile criminal cases. The case attracted
