In June 2023, the Trademark Review and Adjudication Department (“TRAD”) under the China National Intellectual Property Administration (“CNIPA”) adopted internal rules permitting the suspension of …
Pendency for Standard PRC Trademark Prosecution Matters
Procedure Timeframe for Completion Trademark Office Official filing receipt for new application 1 month from application date (e-filings). 2 months (paper filings). Notices of amendment …
Chinese Language Trademarks
The use and registration of Chinese-language trademarks is an essential part of any marketing activity in Greater China. Chinese consumers – particularly in the PRC …
Prosecuting Trademarks in China: An Insider’s Guide for Foreign Brand Owners in 2019 (Part II – Appeals)
In our Insider’s Guide Part I, we shared best practice tips regarding prosecuting trademarks in China. In Part II we will discuss the appeals process, …
Prosecuting Trademarks in China: An Insider’s Guide for Foreign Brand Owners in 2019 (Part I)
This article is the first of two parts and is intended to provide outsiders with information on recent developments, tips and tricks that are vital …
Draft SIPO Provisions for Addressing Bad Faith Registration in China
On February 14, 2019, the State Intellectual Property Office of China (SIPO) – the parent organization of the Trademark Office (TMO) – published draft regulations …
Non-Use Cancellations in China – Offensive and Defensive Applications
This article addresses the topic of non-use cancellation (NUC) actions in China, focusing primarily on its offensive uses against third party and/or pirate marks on …
Best Practices in Protecting Retail Service Marks
The PRC Trade Mark Office (TMO) has had a longstanding policy prohibiting Class 35 service mark coverage for “retail services” and similar descriptions. This policy …
Benefits and Drawbacks of Using Madrid in China
In this article we look at benefits and drawbacks of using the Madrid system to extend international trade mark registrations (IRs) to, as compared with …
The Pitfalls of Unregistered Marks
Companies that decide to produce or sell products in mainland China without first having registered their trademarks do so at their own peril. Without a …
How to Register Trademarks in China
Companies large and small are filing more and more trademark applications in China to support product launches. But even companies without immediate plans to sell …
Support in Devising Chinese Brands
Process SIPS will first compile information on client’s priorities and “brand values” for the Chinese market, preferences of the client regarding the proposed Chinese mark …
