Vivien Chan and Ann Xu of Vivien Chan & Co explain how brand owners can benefit from the changes introduced by the CNIPA including reducing bad faith filings
April 14 2021
Trademark squatting is a perennial headache for existing foreign companies and those trying to enter the Chinese market. In China, squatters may not just be local competitors but also syndicates operating as a giant profit-making machine, and they are upping their game as the Chinese government and brand owners have both increased their efforts in defending legitimate trademark rights.
While tackling trademark squatters may seem daunting, a well-devised strategy would go a long way in acting in both offence and defense against bad faith trademark squatting in China. In this article, recent trends in curbing bad faith filings are explored and practical tips on combatting squatters are considered.
April 14 2021
While foreign language marks have been increasingly recognised in the Chinese market, local consumers will still likely use Chinese language marks to refer to foreign brands. Therefore, devising suitable Chinese language marks and securing registration for the same shall always be a priority for players in the Chinese market.
This article explains the importance of registering Chinese language marks, ways to devise your Chinese language marks, and tips on obtaining registration and maintaining the same.
Why register Chinese language marks?
The importance of registering Chinese language marks is manifested in three main ways.
Marketing convenience
Localisation of foreign brand names is necessary. The official language of China is Chinese with the official dialect being Putonghua/Mandarin. The consumers in China, being Chinese-speaking consumers, will inevitably use Chinese to refer to foreign brands, as Chinese brand names remain easier to r