For some brands, trademarking Chinese words or phrases might hit just the right note in terms of image. BBQ pork buns sound appetizing, but describing them as char siu bao provides a special touch. And for established brands from the Chinese-speaking world, Chinese words may already be an indelible part of their identity. Yet the
This post looks at the two most common product development choices, with a focus on how they impact the transition to mass production. At this stage, the foreign company has typically approved a final prototype -- or it is close to that stage -- and it it looking at going into mass production with their Chinese manufacturer.
Licensing technology, intellectual property, or brands to a Chinese company can be highly profitable, but a bad agreement can cost you control of your IP. Learn how to structure China licensing deals, protect your technology, collect royalties, and avoid costly mistakes.
China product development is fraught with risks. This post explains the two main product development models employed by Chinese companies and explains the advantages and disadvantages of both. I am writing about product development here because in my experience and that of my company, the product development stage is both the easiest and mostly likely time for your Chinese counterparty to run off with your IP or even your product.
China presents a wealth of opportunities for foreign gaming companies, but (and this is true of pretty much every IP-laden industry), it also presents substantial risks. This post sets out the basics on how online gaming companies can protect their IP in China via China IP registrations. Though our law firm represents a host (sort-of-pun intended) of online gaming companies, we have been hesitant to write specifically about largely because it is not all that legally different from other industries. But because we have lately been getting emails requesting we do so, we will. Starting now.
China cyber hacking obviously affects companies that do business in or with China but it is becoming increasingly apparent that it also impacts companies with no direct business connections to China. This post explains the Chinese government's cyber hacking goals, how it does its hacking, and why it is virtually impossible for foreign companies to avoid being hacked by the Chinese government or to fight back against it.
When selling products or services to China, it is important that you have protections in place to ensure that you actually get paid.
My law firm represents many foreign companies that do OEM manufacturing around the world -- mostly China, but India, Mexico, Brazil, Vietnam, Thailand, Taiwan, Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and Cambodia as well. In our discussions with our clients that manufacturing in foreign countries, we nearly always discuss what they can and should be doing to
If you are a China employer, you need written employment contracts with enforceable provisions for all of your China employees. But merely putting the terms and conditions regarding the employment relationship in writing is not sufficient to protect you. An unenforceable employment contract or even an unenforceable provision in an otherwise well-written employment contract can hurt you as the employer.
Recently I sat in a presentation with some executives who were sharing best practices for tech companies when dealing with China and the world generally. These were companies that had great success at home and abroad but not surprisingly found China a more difficult market to tackle. Here are some of their tips, along with
