China Trade Mark Wars

Battles over trade marks in China are regular occurrences and, with the US-China trade war ongoing, US President Donald Trump has long accused China of unfair trading practices and intellectual property theft.

Brand hijacking

Being a first-to-file jurisdiction, there is a real risk of brand hijacking in China. This is where unscrupulous organisations or individuals register your brand before you, which then acts as a barrier to entry if your business is looking to enter the Chinese market.

However, from 1 November 2019, China will see tighter laws on bad faith trade mark registrations, that may or may not change Trump’s views.

Tidman Comment

Until then, if your business already trades in China or is looking to enter the Chinese market, we can help you protect against your brands being hijacked and becoming a trade barrier. To secure your trade mark in China, contact us through our website, email us at [email protected] or call us on 0131 557 6450.

Tidman Legal is a firm of intellectual property specialists based in Edinburgh, Scotland.