A display featuring China NNN Agreements and NDA documents, legal symbols, a phone, the Great Wall of China, and Chinese and Hong Kong flags, representing legal deals in China.

Templates Are Not Contracts: They’re Landmines

China NNN Agreements fail when they only block disclosure, ignore WeChat/CAD files, name the wrong company, or require enforcement you cannot afford. This blog post explains when you need an NDA vs an NNN agreement, common China traps (language, company chop, Hong Kong clauses), and what to send for a fast review.

A graphic with interconnected question marks and circles containing the letters "IP" and "P" on a dark blue background, suggesting questions or uncertainty about intellectual property.

A Global IP Protection Strategy FAQ

Global IP Protection Strategy FAQ My blog post yesterday, Global IP Protection: Why You Need a Strategy, Not Just an Application generated a lot of questions. In an attempt to answer those we received (and those we anticipate receiving), I give you the below FAQs. If you are manufacturing abroad, expanding internationally, or selling through

Illustration of a person with a telescope standing on a globe next to an upward arrow, a trademark symbol, and the text "You need a global IP strategy.

Global IP Protection: Why You Need a Strategy, Not Just an Application

Global IP Protection Strategy When brands think about protecting their intellectual property abroad, they often start with the most visible tasks: filing a trademark application, registering a patent, or sending a takedown notice to deal with a specific infringement. Those steps matter. On their own, though, they are tactical steps. They can be necessary, but

Illustration with the text "How to Protect the Value of your IP Portfolio," showing a shield, checkmark, briefcase, documents, and trademark and copyright symbols—key steps for monetizing your IP effectively.

Ten IP Monetization Mistakes That Quietly Destroy Global Trademark Portfolio Value

Ten IP Monetization Mistakes That Quietly Destroy Global Trademark Portfolio Value IP deals rarely fail because someone forgot to file a trademark. They fail because of small operational gaps that compound over time. The ten mistakes below directly erode valuation, licensing leverage, and your ability to survive diligence. Why IP Monetization Fails In Practice Deals

Orange graphic with the text "BEYOND CHINA: WHY YOU NEED A CENTRAL TRADEMARK HUB" next to a globe icon marked by location pins.

Beyond China and Why You Need a Central Trademark/IP Hub 

Beyond China and Why You Need a Central Trademark/IP Hub  What we’re seeing as companies diversify beyond China In recent years, a large chunk of our work has been helping long-term and new China clients shift manufacturing and supply chains to other parts of Asia, as well as to Latin America and Europe. As they

Infographic on China technology licensing, featuring a map of China with digital circuits, and icons for security, regulations, safety, and restricted cloud access.

China Technology Licensing: A Comprehensive Guide

Technology licensing lets you sell into China without a physical presence. Here is a 2025 playbook for diligence, export controls, IP protection, payment verification, and negotiating tactics that actually work.

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Why Your China Software IP Strategy Is Probably Wrong (And How to Fix It)

Why Your China Software IP Strategy Is Probably Wrong (And How to Fix It) It started as a routine partnership. A fast-growing American software company needed a trusted partner in Shenzhen to manufacture its new IoT device. Eighteen months into the relationship, an email arrived with a link to a demo at a major tech

Graphic explaining that both the trademark and the company name must be translated in a China trademark application, with icons representing each item.

China Trademark Company Names: What You Must Know Before Filing

China Trademark Company Names: What Foreign Brands Must Know Before Filing Why a Chinese Name is Required for Your Trademark Filing in China If you file a trademark in China, you must provide a Chinese-language version of your company name for the application. China’s trademark registry maintains official records in Chinese, so the applicant’s name

A poster about China trademark registration, featuring a registered trademark symbol, a Chinese flag, and the silhouette of a person in a hat. Text discusses stopping brand squatting.

China Trademark Registration: How to Stop Squatters from Stealing Your Brand

Longtime readers of this blog have heard us say it before: register your trademark in China. Yet, we continue to see brands putting it off — and paying the price later when someone else registers the trademark. Don’t Let a Chinese Squatter Steal Your Brand: The Ultimate Guide to China Trademark Registration Your brand is

A graphic with the text "Inside the Trademark Mills: How Foreign Filing Abuses Are Undermining the U.S. Trademark System," featuring factory and magnifying glass icons.

China Trademark Mills Abuse the U.S. Trademark System

Inside the Trademark Mills: How Foreign Filing Abuses Are Undermining the U.S. Trademark System Earlier today, I received an unsolicited email from a Chinese IP firm—or someone claiming to be one. It’s similar to other messages I’ve received over the years from so-called “firms.” It read as follows: We are __________ Intellectual Property Co., Ltd.,

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