International Trademarks Good. International Patents Bad. The title to this post is a gross oversimplification meant to prove a point or, more accurately, disprove a myth. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve had companies swoon over the idea of spending big money to secure a patent and pooh-pooh my suggestion to spend small
When it comes to China, you should register the brands you use, protect against squatters, and register in multiple classes.
When Xi Jinping took office in 2013, I—like many others—hoped that his leadership would improve China’s trajectory. But over time, my optimism faded as the country became more repressive, and the spaces I once enjoyed began to disappear. I was living in Shenzhen in 2013. Whenever I read Western media hopes that Xi might potentially
Imagine you want to register “Big Dork” as a trademark in China, only to have it rejected because someone else already owns “Big Work.” Absurd? Welcome to the peculiar world of Chinese trademark law, where the trademark office and courts often reach dramatically different conclusions about what constitutes a “confusingly similar” mark. To make things
The Legal Survival Guide for Product Sourcing Consultants You have spent months finding the perfect manufacturer for your product buying client. The first shipment arrives, and everything looks great, and your client is thrilled. Then, six months later, your client calls in a panic—their product is being counterfeited and sold worldwide. Who do they blame?
Methylene Diphenyl Diisocyanate (MDI) from China On February 12, 2025, new antidumping (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) petitions were filed against imports of methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (“MDI”) from China. MDI is a class of isocyanates derived from aniline. MDI is a versatile chemical intermediate that is used as an input in a wide range of
Protecting Your Business From YOUR China Factory Chinese factories are increasingly selling products directly to consumers, especially in industries hit hard by tariffs, tariff threats, and shifting geopolitical tensions. As manufacturers lose foreign buyers due to global supply chain changes, many are seizing the chance to create and market their own products—often in direct competition
Selling Your Products into China I recently spoke with a client, a successful manufacturer of specialized industrial equipment, who was wrestling with a familiar dilemma: how to best engage with the Chinese market. They’d been exploring various options, from joint ventures to wholly foreign-owned entities, but felt increasingly overwhelmed by the complexities and risks involved.
The China Tariffs Are Here to Stay The trade war with China is escalating. Tariffs are rising, impacting hundreds of billions in imports—businesses must act now. This post outlines the reasons behind the enduring tariffs on Chinese goods and provides actionable strategies to safeguard your business. Geopolitical and Economic Drivers of Continued Tariffs For years
The New Trump Tariffs Tariffs are a powerful tool for reshaping international trade and protecting domestic industries. However, their effects invariably ripple across entire supply chains, impacting foreign manufacturers, importers, wholesalers, retailers, and ultimately, consumers. With the latest Trump tariffs now in play, businesses must navigate new economic realities, legal pitfalls, and strategic challenges. This
