A Strategic Approach to Global IP Protection While tidying up my inbox, I stumbled upon an old email I had sent to a Spanish client who had engaged our law firm to safeguard their IP across the globe. The below comes from our initial email, mapping out what we proposed we do to protect this
Our China Trademark Opposition and Invalidation Victories Our law firm just got some good news in the form of several favorable decisions on China trademark opposition and invalidation proceedings. This in itself was good news, but we were also pleased to see China’s Trademark Office (TMO) and Trademark Review and Adjudication Board (TRAB) give critical
The Rise of China Distribution Agreements My law firm’s China lawyers have recently seen an uptick in China distribution agreements for foreign companies seeking to sell their products and services in China. This surge is driven by growing concerns over the risks that come with having a foreign presence in China, including geopolitical tensions, and
China Copyright Protections China copyrights without registration Copyright stands out from other intellectual property rights for the protections it enjoys without registration, including in China. For trademarks, the only pathway to protection for an unregistered mark in China is by meeting the narrow definition of a “well-known trademark.” By contrast, even works created outside of
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
Introduction to NNN Agreements and Our Pioneering Role Our law firm was among the first to emphasize the importance of securing a China-centric NNN Agreement before sharing confidential information with Chinese manufacturers. We have consistently emphasized the value of NNN Agreements in the decades since. See, e.g., China NNN Agreements and China NNN Agreements Up
You registered your trademark in China, meaning congratulations are in order for having taken this critical step to protect your intellectual property. Now, how do you leverage your trademark registration for maximum effect? Here are some tips: 1. Record Your Trademark with China Customs Recording your registered trademark with China Customs is an important safeguard
Protecting Your Brand Name as Manufacturing Leaves China The recent decade-low in China’s manufacturing exports has pushed many Chinese factories into survival mode, leading to an escalation in trademark theft incidents as they seek new revenue channels. The ongoing trade skirmishes between China and economic powerhouses like the United States and the European Union have
Beware the China Mutual NDA 1. A China Mutual NDA Will Not Help YOU Should I Sign a Mutual NDA With a China factory? Our international manufacturing lawyers get this question once a week, which is up from maybe once a year only a few years ago. Our usual answer is no, because these agreements
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
