Illustration comparing individual and corporate trademark ownership, with a person on one side and an office building on the other, both displaying registered trademark symbols.

Who Should Own Your Trademarks: You or Your Company?

Who Should Own Your Trademarks? When launching a business, registering a trademark in the countries where you operate (including where you manufacture) is often, and wisely, one of the first steps you as an entrepreneur will take to protect your brand. But a deceptively simple question quickly arises: Who should own the trademark? You as

Illustration of a woman thinking with text "China Trademarks: The Goldilocks Principle of When to Register" and trademark symbols on a red background with a map of China.

When to Register Your China Trademark: The Goldilocks Principle

China Trademarks: The Goldilocks Principle of When to Register When it comes to China trademark registration, timing is everything. File too late, and someone else might beat you to your own brand. File too early, and you risk losing your trademark for non-use. Like Goldilocks, you need to get it just right. The Cautious Client:

Infographic showing steps to prevent manufacturers from copying products: conduct due diligence, register trademark, use NNN agreements, cut ties with unethical manufacturers.

China Manufacturer Copying You? Why a Trademark Beats an NNN Agreement Every Time

Unfortunately, writing an NNN Agreement after your manufacturer has copied your products is the equivalent of shutting the barn door after all the cows have left. I cannot help be candid here: your factory is demonstrating unethical business practices. And while I wish a piece of paper could magically transform such behavior, the reality is

Map of Russia and China with national flags, a large trademark symbol, and text warning of risks for foreign trademark holders in China due to Russian non-use cancelation actions.

Russia’s IP Crackdown: A Warning for Brands in China

Russia Non-Use Cancellation Actions Signal Risk for Foreign Trademark Holders in China Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, foreign trademark owners have faced an increasingly volatile and unpredictable intellectual property environment. Forced to navigate a spider’s web of sanctions, corporate exits, and deteriorating diplomatic relations, many international brands scaled back or fully withdrew from

Image with the Chinese flag, a trademark symbol, and the text: "Navigating Trademark 'Use' in China: Your Essential Guide" on a blue background.

Navigating Trademark “Use” in China: Your Essential Guide

Navigating Trademark “Use” in China: Your Essential Guide The Cornerstone of Chinese IP Law: Understanding Trademark “Use” Navigating trademark law in China can be challenging, especially when it comes to understanding what counts as legitimate trademark “use.” This guide will help you understand the key aspects of trademark use under Chinese law. It offers actionable

New Challenges for Non-Use Trademark Cancellations in China

China Trademarks and Non-Use Cancellations: The Stakes Just Got Higher

New Standards for Non-Use China Trademark Cancellations Foreign brand owners have long relied on non-use cancellations (NUCs) as a powerful tool to clear the path for trademark registration in China, particularly in instances where an unrelated party had previously registered the mark in question in bad faith. Under Article 49(2) of China’s Trademark Law, any

International Trademark FAQs

International Trademark FAQs

Understanding International Trademark Basics Protecting your brand internationally is essential to prevent counterfeiting, unauthorized use, and legal conflicts. This Q&A covers key trademark principles, international registration options, enforcement strategies, and practical considerations to help businesses secure and defend their trademarks worldwide. A. The Basic International Trademark Questions 1. What is a trademark, and why is

Register your brand-name in China as a China trademark

Why Trademark Protection in China Matters—Even If You Don’t Do Business There

Many companies assume they don't need to worry about trademark protections in China if they have no plans to sell or manufacture there. That's a risky mistake. China counterfeiters frequently exploit well-known (and even lesser-known) brands, flooding global markets with knockoff products that damage reputations and eat into legitimate sales.

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