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Chinese Market

International

Why Register a Trademark in China

Defend against bad faith registration
Protect against counterfeit goods and services
Establish legal remedies in case of trademark infringement

It is a requirement for e-commerce sites and distributor
Ability to sell your product in China
Manufacture goods in China
Provides future brand protection

Services We Provide

Conduct comprehensive trademark search with the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA)

Assist in translating your TM name to Chinese

Prepare and file trademark applications

File trademark renewals

File patents licences with free monitoring

File copyright registration applications

Provide product ID with a barcode

Intellectual Property Roadmap

Steps to register your trademark in China

1. Preform a trademark search

A comprehensive search must be complete in Chinese to ensure your Chinese mark is not already registered.

2. Filing

Register in Chinese, Roman characters will not completely protect against infringement

Complete application as outlined by the CNIPA.

3. Formal Examination

CNIPA verifies that the trademark file is complete, and all corresponding fees have been paid.

4. Substantial Examination

Examiner verifies that absolute grounds and relative grounds have been met. Once the trademark has passed this examination, the trademark in preliminarily approved for registration.

5. Publication in Trademark Gazette

Approved applications will be published in the Trademark Gazette. This will give others a chance to oppose your application.

Publication must remain advertised for 3 months.

6. Registration

If there is no opposition to your application, or if the opposition is rejected the CNIPA will send you a trademark certificate.

7. Renewals

To maintain your registration you will need to pay a renewal fee every 10 years.

FAQ

Answers to your frequently asked questions

Questions about Chinese Market

1. As a foreign applicant, do I need to appoint a professional representative in China?

Yes. If a foreign applicant, enterprise or organization does not have a residential or business address in China, they must appoint a legally established patent agent to represent them in the patent prosecution procedure in China.

2. What is the trademark subclass classification system in China?

One of the more distinctive aspects of China’s trademark system is its unique interpretation of the Nice Classification system. China divides each Nice class into subclasses and treats each subclass as a discrete unit. A trademark registration gives the owner rights in the covered subclasses, but virtually no rights in any other subclasses.

3. Are Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macao different in terms of IP protection?

Yes, in terms of IP laws, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan are separate jurisdictions, and must be filed as such.

4. Should I register my original trademark or its Chinese translation?

You can register a trademark in China in different languages and versions. It is highly recommended to register your trademark in three versions: in original language (Latin letters), in Chinese characters, and the symbol or logo. Please note that different versions of the same trademark are all considered separate applications.

5. How to adapt a trademark for the Chinese mark?

This can be done in a few different ways:

Transliteration – Transliteration is an approach by which the corresponding Chinese character is selected to form the Chinese trademark according to the pronunciation of the foreign trademark. Most Chinese trademarks designed in this way do not have specific meanings

Literally – A literal translation works when the trade mark has a distinctive meaning,

Adaptation – Some foreign trademarks have no practical meanings but are translated into Chinese characters or phrases with practical meanings according to their features, and the translations are creative, imaginative and impressive.