China for SMEs Even amid riasing political and economic tensions, the China market remains attractive to certain businesses, especially SMEs, because of its massive middle class (about 400 million) and its robust, relatively accessible manufacturing ecosystem. However, the complexities of doing business in China can present significant challenges, and for companies lacking the resources of
Trademark Protection for International Companies Thinking your trademarks are safe just because you registered them? Think again—especially if your business is expanding abroad. Trademark protection is crucial for companies manufacturing and distributing products overseas. While many large multinationals have armies of lawyers monitoring their intellectual property rights (IPR), small- and medium-sized businesses expanding internationally often
Registering a trademark in China does not automatically put China Customs to work. Effective Customs recordation requires the right China registration, accurate information about authorized factories and exporters, useful product details, and a plan for meeting the three-working-day deadline when Customs stops a shipment.
Debunking Common China IP Myths Understanding intellectual property (IP) rights and navigating counterfeiting challenges in China are essential yet daunting tasks for foreign businesses. Despite a reputation marred by complex IP issues, much of the conventional wisdom on the subject is based on outdated information or persistent myths. In this post, we address and debunk
China’s Corporate Espionage Playbook Reports of intellectual property (IP) theft and corporate espionage involving China are nothing new. For those familiar with China’s business practices, these stories come as no surprise. However, recent insights from U.S. intelligence highlight how China’s tactics are evolving, creating new challenges for foreign companies. Your China IP Risks are Human,
I recently discussed with a client what steps it should take to protect its trade secrets across the various countries where it manufactures products and conducts business. Although this client has been operating internationally for nearly a decade, it now faces the challenge of bringing its most valuable intellectual property into competitive, and sometimes risky,
Counterfeits in the U.S.A. Unfortunately, that's not a parody of John Mellencamp's classic song R.O.C.K in the U.S.A., but rather a growing problem. And your business needs to take action to mitigate the risks to its brands. For a long time, conversations about counterfeiting have focused on what happens overseas, not just in terms of
IP Strategies for the China Plus One Era I recently had a discussion with several of my law firm's international lawyers about how so many of our clients are expanding their manufacturing operations or product sourcing beyond China. These clients now have an "international" strategy in which China is just one component, or in some
China IP Risks are Rising Earlier this week, in my blog post, Protecting Your IP from an Increasingly Rapacious China, I discussed the growing threats to intellectual property (IP) posed by deteriorating relations between China and the West I highlighted how these strained relations, coupled with China's struggling economy, have led to an alarming increase
Registering U.S. State Name Trademarks in China Many brands, from craft breweries to universities, incorporate their U.S. state names into their trademarks. This not only reflects their origins but also evokes a sense of heritage and trust. However, for brands looking to enter the vast Chinese market, a significant hurdle awaits. Registering trademarks that include
