Frederic Rocafort Attorney

About Frederic

Fred leads Harris Sliwoski’s intellectual property team and oversees the firm’s international practice, with a special focus on cross-border IP matters.

With over a decade of international experience in China, Latin America, and beyond, Fred brings unparalleled insight into global intellectual property challenges. He is a trusted authority on brand protection and regularly serves as an expert witness in international IP litigation and arbitration cases. His clientele often operates in cutting-edge industries that test the limits of existing IP frameworks, including cannabis, psychedelics, and Web3 technologies.

Fred’s international expertise extends beyond IP law. He manages Harris Sliwoski’s Latin America desk, working closely with the firm’s Mexico-based lawyers to facilitate complex, multilingual negotiations, often involving Chinese-, English-, and Spanish-speaking parties. His fluency in all three languages is an invaluable asset in navigating the intricate dynamics of international IP and commercial disputes.

Fred’s global IP career began in Guangzhou, where he served as a U.S. diplomat, advocating for fair treatment of American businesses and stronger enforcement of intellectual property rights in China. In the private sector, he gained extensive experience as a foreign legal advisor at a Shanghai-based law firm and later joined one of the oldest American law firms in China, assisting foreign companies in navigating the nuances of the Chinese legal environment. Subsequently, Fred led the legal team at a Hong Kong-based brand protection consultancy, focusing on combating counterfeiting and securing R&D and manufacturing operations across Greater China, Southeast Asia, and Latin America.

Fred’s unique combination of legal, linguistic, and cultural fluency makes him a sought-after advisor for companies tackling international IP issues and navigating the complexities of cross-border enforcement and compliance.

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Advising Clients Around the World

In addition to his intellectual property expertise, Fred provides strategic legal counsel to clients engaged in international business operations. Leveraging his fluency in Spanish and Chinese, he skillfully handles complex cross-border matters across diverse industries and jurisdictions. His work spans the globe, from assisting clients with establishing companies in Mexico and exploring investment opportunities in Spain, to vetting business partners in India, negotiating manufacturing agreements with manufacturers in Vietnam, and resolving IP infringement issues on e-commerce platforms based in China.

Outside of his legal practice, Fred enjoys cheering on FC Barcelona, watching travel videos on YouTube, and of course spending time with his family.

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Fast Facts

Education

University of Notre Dame Law School (J.D.)
The Chinese University of Hong Kong (L.L.M., Chinese Business Law)
University of Michigan (B.A.)
London School of Economics (General Course)
Berkeley School of Law (Certificate in China IP)

Languages

Spanish (Native)
Chinese

Bar & Court Admissions

Florida (2002)
District of Columbia (2011)
Washington State (2012)
U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida (2021)

More About Frederic

The 2024 U.S. Election Is Over. What’s Next for YOUR International Business? , Harris Sliwoski webinar, Novermber 11, 2024.
Post-Election Cannabis Wrap – Smoke ’em if You’ve Got ’em, Harris Sliwoski webinar, November 7, 2024.
Protecting and Enforcing Trademarks and Copyrights in International Trade, Celesq®, May 2, 2024.
Guest Lecturer, Intellectual Property and Cannabis, Willamette University College of Law, March 18, 2024.
China Business Update 2024: Q1, Harris Sliwoski webinar, February 14, 2024.
Protecting Your IPR when Nearshoring to Mexico, Harris Sliwoski and GlobalAutoIndustry.com webinar series, December 6, 2023.
Forced Labor Series: Tackling the Intricacies of Forced Labor with Bob Kossick and Fred Rocafort, Simply Trade Podcast, October 24, 2023.
Episode #07, Six Days in Suez Podcast, October 24, 2023.
6th Annual Symposium On Global IP Strategic Planning, IP Monetization & Trade, Technoeconomics, October 2, 2023.
Southeast Asia IP Virtual Roadshow, USPTO, August 8, 2023.
Of Particular Import: Protecting Brands from Infringing Imports, Alt Legal Webinar, July 27, 2023.
U.S. Import and Export of Marijuana, Hemp, and Paraphernalia, Harris Sliwoski Webinar, July 25, 2023.
La piratería como una dolorosa realidad para LATAM, ASIPI Podcast, July 6, 2023.
Trademark Licensing in the Cannabis Industry: Legality, Disclosure, Diligence, and Key Provisions, Stafford CLE Webinar, March 28, 2023.
Roundtable: Trademarks and non-fungible tokens, United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), January 24, 2023.
Cannabis and International Trade Issues, NCBFAA webinar, December 1, 2022.
Three Things to Watch for in International Brand Protection for 2023, MarqVision, November 3, 2022.
Annual Symposium On Global IP Strategic Planning, IP Monetization, And Trade, Technoeconomics, October 3, 2022.
Trends and Topics in International Law, WSBA webinar, September 9, 2022.
Protecting Your Brand & Intellectual Property, KushCon Tampa, August 6, 2022.
The Cannabis Revolution, Florida State University, July 21, 2022.
Southeast Asia intellectual property roadshow, USPTO webinar, July 18, 2022.
Challenges of Sourcing 5 Key Industrial Components in Mexico, East West Associates webinar, June 28, 2022.
The Impact of Cannabis and Web3 Crossover: NFTs, DAOs, and Tokens, MyLawCLE, May 27, 2022.
Delta-8 and other Cannabinoids, Regulated or Not? Panel Discussion, and the Impact of Cannabis NFT’s and Web3 Crossover, MyLawCLE, April 22, 2022.
Committee Insights: Protecting Innovations in Cannabis Technology, National Cannabis Industry Association, April 19, 2022.
Guest Lecturer, Copyright Licensing in China and Related Issues, University of California Berkeley School of Law, March 30, 2022.
Guest Lecturer, Intellectual Property and Cannabis, Willamette University College of Law, March 28, 2022.
IP and Trademark Protection in the Global Marketplace, Global Auto Industry Audio Interview, March 19, 2022.
Cannabis: A Global New High – Africa Panel, Clifford Chance Webinar, December 8, 2021.
China Update, Florida State University, December 6, 2021
Doing Business in the U.S. Market, Chamber of Commerce of Madrid, Madrid, Spain, November 4, 2021.
UMass Law International Law Conference, October 8, 2021.
IP Monetization 2021 Around The World, Technoeconomics 4th Annual Symposium, September 27, 2021
Reconfiguring Global Supply Chain Footprint, East West Associates webinar, June 24, 2021.
Padrón Nacional de Usarios de Telefonía Móvil, American Chamber of Commerce Mexico, May 26, 2021.
Evolución económica de Taiwán, Universidad Anáhuac, March 18, 2021.
Protecting and enforcing intellectual property rights in Southeast Asia: what small businesses need to know, United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), March 4, 2021.
Counseling Your First Cannabis Client: Marijuana vs. Hemp, State vs. Feds, and Other Key Issues, Washington State Bar Association, February 2, 2021.
China Roundtable: IP Monetization and Trade, Technoeconomics 3rd Annual Symposium, September 28, 2020.
Navigating PPE Purchases from China, HB Conferences Webinar, April 23, 2020.
Guest Lecturer, Comparative IPR Law, California Western School of Law, March 5, 2020.
Effects of COVID-19 on Doing Business with China, WTC Utah Webinar, March 19, 2020.
Protección de la propiedad intelectual: Diferentes perspectivas, Universidad Anáhuac, May 7, 2020.
The New Era of Doing Business in the US, Madrid Chamber of Commerce, Madrid, Spain, November 7, 2019.
Important Tips for Protecting your IP from China, GlobalAuto Industry Audio Interview, October 7, 2019.
The Fight Against Counterfeiting: Views from the Frontlines, Florida State University, March 1, 2018…

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Cannabis: o que fazer depois da legalização?, jota.info, February 5, 2024.
Co-Host of The Legal Lunch Byte, Harris Sliwoski’s weekly Legal Talk Show.
Why and How to Protect your Intellectual Property Internationally, GlobalAutoIndustry.com, September 3, 2023.
Taste the injunction: unsweet ending for Skittles infringer – Trademark Lawyer Magazine , The Trademark Lawyer, July 20, 2023.
担心海外华人被变成“第五纵队”，中共新侨务立法努力引发西方关注 [Worried that overseas Chinese will be turned into the “fifth column”, the CCP’s new legislation on overseas Chinese affairs has attracted the attention of the West], VOA Chinese, April 29, 2023.
In China, Lawyers Don’t Need to Keep Your Secrets, The Diplomat, March 2, 2023.
One year on: TMA proceedings serve purpose but aren’t shoo-ins, Managing IP, January 20, 2023.
AD/CVD Proceedings Likely if Cannabis Made Legal to Import, Trade Lawyer Says, Trade Law Daily, December 2, 2022.
Navigating the haze of US cannabis TM law, World IP Review, November 18, 2022.
Weed Is Now Legal in Thailand. How Long Will the High Times Last?, The New York Times, November 10, 2022.
Joe Biden estaria usando a cannabis?, Poder360, October 14, 2022.
Taiwan’s foreign firms weigh future amid China risk, COVID curbs, Al Jazeera, August 19, 2022.
Lawmakers Should Clarify Drug Paraphernalia Import Provisions, Trade Law Daily, August 17, 2022.
Delta-8 THC: At The Nexus Of Legality, Lawsuits, Media Post, June 3, 2022.
Man Recounts Forced Labor Experience In China, NTD, May 10, 2022.
Hackers Are Stealing NFTs, and It’s Not As Easy as You Think, HackerNoon, March 14, 2022.
Solar Supply Chains Move Away from China, NTD, January 27, 2022.
Businesses Consider Leaving China for Mexico, NTD, January 6, 2022.
China Deploys Aircraft Near Taiwan, The Dispatch, October 5, 2021.
China’s pricey ultimatum, World News, July 29, 2021.
Cointreau, Mars Wrigley File Trademark Suits Against Cannabis/CBD Companies, Media Post, July 29, 2021.
How China Uses Forced Labor in Xinjiang, NTD, May 18, 2021.
USPTO Refusal To Register Cannabis TMs Hurts Public, Law360, May 3, 2021.
“The Morning Dispatch: China Provokes Taiwan With Airspace Incursion“, The Dispatch, April 12, 2021.
China Continues to Crack Down on Hong Kong and Uyghurs. Should the U.S. Boycott the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing? The Dispatch, March 12, 2021.
China awaits a new US ambassador as names circulate in Washington, South China Morning Post. February 24, 2021.
The Last Vaccine Hurdle, The Dispatch, December 4, 2020.
Wilbur Ross Remained on Chinese Joint Venture Board While Running U.S.-China Trade War, Foreign Policy, October 29, 2020.
‘‘You Work Like Animals’: Inside China’s Vast Prison Labor System, Epoch Times, September 2, 2020.
Xinjiang’s sprawling conglomerate may be biggest ever to face US sanctions, South China Morning Post, August 24, 2020.
‘It’s So Much Worse Than Anyone Expected.’ Why Hong Kong’s National Security Law Is Having Such a Chilling Effect, Time, July 23, 2020.
Security law, US sanctions complicate operations for HK fund firms, Ignites Asia, July 21, 2020.
China’s Crackdown on Hong Kong Is About Intimidation, The Dispatch, July 3, 2020.
Hong Kong’s National Security Law Has Left Lawyers Uneasy, Law360, June 9, 2020.
Sanctions, new tariffs? What it means for US to certify Hong Kong as not autonomous from China, The Straits Times, May 28, 2020.
How US small businesses are fighting counterfeiting in China, CNBC, October 6, 2019.
Is China the answer?, Caribbean Business, September 26, 2013…

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Lexology Legal Influencer Q1 2024 – Cross-border IP
Regular contributor to the award-winning China Law Blog, award-winning Canna Law Blog, and LexBlog.
Apostilles can now be used in China (pg. 35), International Law Quarterly, Winter 2024
China TODAY Adopts the Apostille Convention, Making Life Easier, LexBlog, November 7, 2023.
Regulation Takes A Great Leap Forward – (plus other contributions), Florida Bar International Law Quarterly, Fall 2023.
Taste the injunction: unsweet ending for Skittles infringer, Trademark Lawyer Magazine, July 20, 2023.
China proposes revision of country’s trademark law, Florida Bar International Law Quarterly, Spring 2023.
People’s Republic of China Revises Women’s Protection Law, Florida Bar International Law Quarterly, Winter 2023.
China’s amended Anti-Monopoly Law takes effect, International Law Quarterly, Fall 2022.
Counterfeit Corner, The Licensing Journal, September 2022.
Do Not Travel with Cannabis Products, selected as Best of Law Blogging, LexBlog, March 11, 2022
Trademark Licensing in the Cannabis Industry, Thomas Reuters Practical Law, (maintained)
USPTO Refusal To Register Cannabis TMs Hurts Public, Law360, May 3, 2021.*
*Selected as one of Law360’s top 2021 guest articles on cannabis…

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Successfully petitioned the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) to invalidate two competing trademark registrations, clearing the way for our client’s international registration to extend into China.
Represented a U.S. business in one of the first successful expungement proceedings under the United States’ Trademark Modernization Act, securing the registration of the client’s trademark.
Successfully advocated for a foreign company before U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to lift a Withhold Release Order (WRO) based on forced labor allegations, enabling the resumption of their imports.
Served as an expert witness on China trademark law in a Texas-based arbitration proceeding, providing crucial insights that influenced the outcome.
Successfully secured the registrations of hundreds of trademarks and copyrights across multiple jurisdictions worldwide, navigating complex international legal landscapes to protect our clients’ intellectual property rights.
Counseled clients on the transfer, acquisition, licensing, and disposal of brand names, ensuring legal compliance and strategic alignment with business goals.
Advised on and prepared international intellectual property licensing and assignment agreements, optimizing global business operations and revenue.
Advised clients on domain name disputes.
Helped our IP litigation team formulate effective dispute resolution strategies.

Hispanic National Bar Association
International Trademark Association
- Emerging Issues Committee (Cannabis Subcommittee)
Inter-American Association of Intellectual Property (ASIPI)
Washington State Bar Association
- International Practice Section (Executive Committee)
The Florida Bar
- International Law Section (Executive Council)…

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What Clients Have to Say About Frederic

Harris Sliwoski has been our first call in the legal industry for a long time now. Jonathan Bench and Fred Rocafort are always able to answer our questions and resolve our issues, and both are real experts in international business transactions and intellectual property law. They have developed smart and efficient strategies for our company that have brought great results. I would not hesitate to recommend this law firm to anyone doing international business.

– Rian Berry, Vice President of Product and Sourcing | Empire Managed Solutions LLC