Doing Business Internationally: 10 Things to Get Right
Ten practical lessons to help you avoid costly mistakes involving contracts, IP, payments, compliance, employees, and more.
Mexico's Election and Business Future
Mexico's Business Future Under President Sheinbaum Mexico has ushered in a new era with the inauguration of Claudia Sheinbaum as the country's first female president. I am optimistic about Mexico's prospects for continued economic growth and increased foreign investment under President Sheinbaum. My clients keep asking what they should expect from her presidency. In this
WHEN to Register your China Trademark
China Trademarks: Meet Goldilocks In going through old emails, I found one I wrote to an Australian client seeking Chinese government approval to sell its product in China. The client wanted to know if it should register a China trademark for its brand name and logo, even though there was a good chance the product
The Bank Account Switch Scam: It's Baaaaack
The Bank Account Switch Scam The bank switch scam involves your regular product supplier asking you to make a payment to a new bank account or a new supplier asking you to make your first payment. After you make the payment, your supplier insists you still owe the full amount because it never received your
Hong Kong and Macau: For You, They're Not China
The Legal Differences Between Hong Kong, Macau, and Mainland China Special administrative regions (SARs) like Hong Kong and Macau hold a unique position within China. In some respects, the two SARs are as much a part of China as Beijing and Shanghai. When it comes to most practical purposes, though, they are separate jurisdictions—and companies
The China Rules on Terminating an Employee
Terminating Employees in China Terminating an employee's contract in China is far from a straightforward process. China's employment laws impose stringent regulations that require employers to navigate a complex legal framework. The repercussions of mishandling a China employee termination can be severe, ranging from costly legal battles to reputational damage. This blog post outlines the
The Essential List for Taking Your Company Overseas
Doing Business Overseas We international lawyers often get inquiries from companies eager to establish a subsidiary or other entity abroad. This is one of the most exciting but daunting prospects for a company more accustomed to domestic laws, regulations, financiers, and business partners. In this post, I will briefly look at the key things to
Repeat After Me: ChatGPT is NOT My Attorney
Neither ChatGPT nor Google Are Attorneys Many people turn to the internet for answers, including to legal questions. Though online resources regarding the law can be a great starting point, but relying solely on them for business decisions can be disastrous. This post explores the limitations of the internet and AI in legal matters, and
Six Common Pitfalls in China IP Licensing
Avoiding China IP Licensing Pitfalls In recent years, our law firm has represented dozens of businesses licensing their intellectual property (IP) to companies in China, covering a wide range of sectors from product manufacturing and distribution to entertainment. Despite their sophisticated IP licensing experience, many businesses are often unprepared for many common pitfalls in China
Dispute Resolution Provisions in International Contracts
Dispute Resolution Provisions Imagine losing millions of dollars because your contract did not properly specify how to handle a dispute. One of the most crucial, yet often overlooked, aspects of international contract drafting is dispute resolution. This is not a mere formality; it is essential for protecting your business interests. It is important to use