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
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.
International Trademarks Good. International Patents Bad. The title to this post is a gross oversimplification meant to prove a point or, more accurately, disprove a myth. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve had companies swoon over the idea of spending big money to secure a patent and pooh-pooh my suggestion to spend small
When it comes to China, you should register the brands you use, protect against squatters, and register in multiple classes.
Imagine you want to register “Big Dork” as a trademark in China, only to have it rejected because someone else already owns “Big Work.” Absurd? Welcome to the peculiar world of Chinese trademark law, where the trademark office and courts often reach dramatically different conclusions about what constitutes a “confusingly similar” mark. To make things
Managing Intellectual Property Rights in the U.S. Customs Regulatory Environment For companies that import products into the United States, U.S. Customs plays a critical role in enforcing intellectual property (IP) rights by ensuring that counterfeit goods and infringing products do not enter the country. This post explores how IP holders can navigate the U.S. Customs
Safeguarding Your Intellectual Property Against an Increasingly Aggresive China The global landscape is shifting, and so are the challenges of protecting intellectual property (IP). Imagine this: you’re a business owner who’s invested years, maybe decades, creating a groundbreaking product or brand, only to find it at risk due to geopolitical tensions and unethical practices. Sound
Grey Market Goods and China In this post we take a closer look at grey market goods and China. First, we will consider what grey market goods are and why brands get so worked up about them and then we will look at how China regulates grey market goods. 1. What are grey market goods,
You Need a China Brand Protection Strategy China’s position as a global manufacturing hub makes it a fertile ground for counterfeit goods, and China leads the world in counterfeiting, by far. To protect your intellectual property (IP) effectively in China, a strategic approach is essential. This guide will walk you through the key steps—from trademark
In Penn State Vintage Trademarks: Protecting the Future via the Past I reecently wrote a blog post that discussed a recent case in the United States, where Penn State University successfully defended its vintage sports logos against unauthorized use, highlighting the significance of safeguarding historic/vintage trademarks. Trademark protection for retro and vintage designshas also long
