Most domain name scams in China begin with an email. A business owner sees an official-looking subject line and opens it, either out of worry or mere curiosity. Inside is an urgent-looking message that informs you that another company has registered your domain name, or that you are in danger of losing your domain name. […]

China’s reputation for its flagrant use of pirated software is well established throughout the world. According to a 2017 US News article, over 70 percent of computers in China run unlicensed versions of common software. This is the highest level of use of pirated software among large countries, with comparable rates for the U.S., Japan, […]

Intellectual Property and Branding in China’s Business Climate A common question in Chinese intellectual property (IP) law posed by many foreign businesses and counsels when they first begin operation in the PRC is the extent to which Chinese characters and colors are protected under Chinese IP law.  English is almost universally accepted as the language […]

China Law And Protecting Trademarks China is a “first registration ” jurisdiction when it comes to trademark protection, meaning that the first individual or corporate entity to register a trademark will generally take priority over subsequent applicants. This can give significant leverage to a “squatter” who applies for a trademark in the name of a […]

Many foreign businesses are reluctant to register their brand name into Chinese, assuming that the brand will be recognizable, distinctive, and protected by one trademark filing. In reality, it is critical to ensure that the trademark name is also registered in Chinese. To begin with, it is important to understand that if the trademark is […]