Trademark Registration in China
Secure Your Brand Rights in China
China operates under a first-to-file trademark regime with no common-law trademark rights. For foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs), this means that prior use in your home jurisdiction confers no automatic protection in China.
For foreign businesses entering China, trademark protection is not optional—it is a necessity. China operates on a “first-to-file” system, meaning registration determines ownership.
Our team helps you navigate every stage of the trademark lifecycle, from clearance searches to enforcement against infringers. We provide comprehensive trademark counsel that bridges your global brand strategy with the procedural and enforcement realities of the Chinese market.
- Trademark Searches, Registrability Assessment
- Trademark Registration, Prosecution
- Trademark Renewal, Maintenance
- Trademark Opposition, Invalidation
- Anti‑Counterfeiting
01
What Kind of Trademark Services We Provide
Trademark Search & Registrability Assessment
Before filing, we conduct comprehensive searches to evaluate the likelihood of successful registration.
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Similarity Searches |
Search the Chinese Trademark Office (CNIPA) database for identical or confusingly similar prior registrations. |
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Common Law & Unregistered Marks |
Identify unregistered marks that may block your application based on prior use. |
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Distinctiveness Analysis |
Advise whether your mark is inherently distinctive or descriptive, and suggest modifications if needed. |
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Class & Goods Selection |
Help you select the appropriate Nice Classification classes and specific goods/services to maximize protection. |
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Risk Report |
Provide a detailed opinion on refusal risks and potential opposition from third parties. |
02
What Kind of Trademark Services We Provide
Trademark Registration & Prosecution
We manage the entire registration process, ensuring timely and compliant filings.
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Application Preparation |
Draft the application, including the mark representation (standard character or stylized). |
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Filing & Formalities |
File electronically with CNIPA and handle all office actions, including responses to preliminary refusals. |
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Expedited Review |
Where available, request accelerated examination for well‑known marks or urgent business needs. |
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Publication & Opposition |
Monitor the publication period (3 months) and respond to any third‑party oppositions. |
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Registration Certificate |
Obtain and deliver the electronic registration certificate, valid for 10 years from registration date. |
03
What Kind of Trademark Services We Provide
Trademark Renewal & Maintenance
In China, the validity period of the trademark certificate is 10 years. A registered trademark requires active maintenance to remain in force.
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Renewal Reminders |
Proactively notify you 12 months before expiry to initiate renewal. |
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Renewal Filing |
Prepare and submit renewal applications (6‑month grace period available with surcharge). |
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Change of Name/Address |
Record any changes in the trademark owner’s legal name or address with CNIPA. |
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Assignment & Licensing Recordal |
Register trademark assignments or licensing agreements to perfect your rights against third parties. |
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Use Evidence Collection |
Advise on maintaining proper use evidence to defend against non‑use cancellation actions. |
04
What Kind of Trademark Services We Provide
Trademark Opposition, Invalidation & Anti‑Counterfeiting
We protect your rights by challenging conflicting third‑party applications or invalidating registered marks.
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Notice of Opposition |
File oppositions within the 3‑month publication period against applications that conflict with your prior rights. |
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Invalidation Actions |
Seek invalidation of a registration that was granted contrary to absolute or relative grounds. |
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Administrative Appeal |
Represent you before the CNIPA’s Trademark Review and Adjudication Board and subsequently before the Beijing Intellectual Property Court. |
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Border Protection: Customs Recordal |
China Customs can proactively detain suspected counterfeit goods if your trademark is recorded with the General Administration of Customs (GACC). |
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Anti‑Counterfeiting & Enforcement |
When infringement occurs, we act swiftly using both administrative and judicial measures. |
Secure your trademark rights in China before someone else does. Contact us for a complimentary initial trademark search and strategy session.
