China is a first-to-file trademark jurisdiction: whoever registers first generally owns the mark, regardless of who used it first abroad — which is exactly why bad-faith squatting (恶意抢注) hits foreign brands hard. 中国实行商标注册在先原则：一般谁先注册谁拥有商标，与谁在境外先使用无关——这正是恶意抢注对外国品牌打击尤重的原因。 The single most important defensive step is … Bad-Faith Trademark Squatting in China: how foreign brands prevent and reclaim their marksRead more
商标 / Trademark
Trademark registration for foreign brands
China is a first-to-file jurisdiction: trademark rights are generally acquired by registration, not prior use, so file before any public launch, import, or e-commerce listing. 中国实行先申请原则：商标权一般通过注册取得而非通过使用，因此应在任何公开上市、进口或电商上架前提交申请。 Foreign applicants without a business domicile or habitual residence in China must appoint a … Trademark registration for foreign brandsRead more
Registering a Trademark in China for a Foreign Brand: CNIPA National Filing vs the Madrid Route (2026)
A foreign applicant without a business domicile in China must appoint a legally established Chinese trademark agency; only foreign nationals habitually resident in China may file directly.在中国无营业场所的外国申请人须委托依法设立的中国商标代理机构；仅经常居所在中国的外籍人士可自行办理。 China is first-to-file: filing both the Latin mark and a Chinese-character version early … Registering a Trademark in China for a Foreign Brand: CNIPA National Filing vs the Madrid Route (2026)Read more
Madrid Protocol and Trademark Licensing in China: Protecting Foreign Brands
Under the Madrid System, a foreign brand with a Chinese base mark can file one international application designating many members, instead of filing separately in each jurisdiction. 依马德里体系，在中国拥有基础商标的外国品牌可提交一件国际申请指定多个成员，无需在各法域分别申请。 The international application must be based on a China trademark that is … Madrid Protocol and Trademark Licensing in China: Protecting Foreign BrandsRead more
Enforcing Your Trademark in China: From Administrative Complaints to Well-Known Mark Protection
Administrative complaints to local IP offices are the fastest and cheapest first strike against infringement. 向地方知识产权局行政投诉，是对侵权最快、成本最低的第一击。 The 2027 Trademark Law extends cross-class well-known-mark protection to unregistered famous marks. 2027年《商标法》将驰名商标跨类保护扩展至未注册的驰名商标。 Punitive damages of one to five times apply for intentional and … Enforcing Your Trademark in China: From Administrative Complaints to Well-Known Mark ProtectionRead more
China’s fully revised Trademark Law (effective 1 January 2027): what foreign brand owners should do now
China’s Trademark Law has been fully revised for the first time since 1983, adopted on 26 June 2026 (Presidential Order No. 77) and effective 1 January 2027. 中国《商标法》自1983年施行以来首次全面修订，于2026年6月26日修订通过（主席令第七十七号），自2027年1月1日起施行。 The statute grows from 8 chapters / 73 articles to 9 chapters … China’s fully revised Trademark Law (effective 1 January 2027): what foreign brand owners should do nowRead more