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
Transferring Your China Trademarks: How to Move Them Safely and Strategically If your China trademarks are still owned by your China-based entity or by a company actively doing business in China, you’re exposed to significant legal and operational risks. These trademarks are valuable IP assets—but because they are registered in China, they remain subject to
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
Comprehensive guide on international trademark registration under the Madrid System. Learn eligibility, application steps, costs, and protection details. Start protecting your brand globally today.
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
