Recently I spoke with some good friends in the finance space about the global economy, China, and debt capital. One is a vice president and underwriter at a US East Coast private equity firm. The other is the owner of an investment banking firm in the midwestern US. They are steeped in the finance world,
China Software Licensing Registration Challenges As China becomes increasingly risky and complicated for direct entry and subsequent in-country operations, licensing is becoming increasingly common for many Western companies. This is especially true for software companies. However, China’s network of licensing and royalty regulations has stymied many seeking to license their software for Chinese distribution. Requirements
China Business Dinner Etiquette as Though it Matters Ten years ago, I’d often get asked about Chinese business dinner etiquette. Back then, “everyone” was going to China, and many were terrified about messing up. I would try to calm their nerves by explaining how etiquette is less important in China than it is in Korea
China Distributor Relationships Make Sense, Especially Now My law firm’s China lawyers have drafted more China product distribution agreements in the last three years than in the ten years prior. Foreign companies want to profit from China’s consumer and industrial markets, but they are wary of going into China (or remaining in China) in a
Xi Jinping’s U.S. Visit If you have been paying attention to the headlines, you know that China’s Xi Jinping and US President Joseph Biden are meeting in San Francisco this week. They last met in person a year ago at the G20 Summit in Indonesia. The US and China at national levels have continued to
China Distribution Relationships We have written recently about the trend in China business as companies move away from joint venture relationships toward distributor relationships. This is happening with Chinese manufacturers and their non-Chinese distributors in the distributor’s home market. This is also happening in China with Chinese distributors or representatives and the non-Chinese manufacturers and
China’s Current Business Climate: Questions Answered Because of our vantage point as an international law firm, we frequently get asked questions by boards of established companies, startup founders, regulators, and reporters. Below are some of the questions about China we have received lately. What is the threat level for foreign individuals and companies doing business
Harris Sliwoski attorneys Robert Kossick and Frederic Rocafort were recent guests on the 6 Days in Suez podcast, to discuss forced labor compliance, a topic of growing importance to importers in the United States and beyond. Bob and Fred shared their experiences advising clients on how to navigate the increasingly challenging waters that surround forced
Rethinking China Operations: Third-Party Hiring Agencies As foreign companies reduce their China operations to minimize risk, they often turn to third-party hiring agencies to staff projects without a local entity. But relying on these dispatch firms creates a major vulnerability: loss of valuable IP if specific protections aren’t in place. This post delves into how
China Distribution Contracts The Evolving Landscape of Doing Business in China Over the past few years, China’s changing political, economic, and regulatory landscapes have posed increased challenges for foreign businesses. From escalating trade tensions to regulatory clampdowns, businesses have been navigating a minefield of risks in the country. These uncertainties, compounded by the global shift
