FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS

Chinese trademark clearance and filing are worth assessing even for export-only manufacturing. OEM infringement questions depend on the mark, goods, authorization and case facts; export-only status is not a blanket exemption. A registration can support a supply-chain strategy, but it does not replace clearance or appropriate manufacturing contracts.

If a Chinese name is used or commercially relevant, consider selecting, clearing and applying for it separately from the Latin-script mark. The appropriate scope depends on the brand, audience and business plans; filing does not guarantee approval.

A national application passes through examination, preliminary publication and registration. Under the law currently in force, substantive examination has a nine-month statutory period, subject to exclusions, and the opposition period is three months. Refusals and oppositions can extend the process. The revised law effective 1 January 2027 changes the opposition period to two months; confirm the applicable rules and transition arrangements.

The official fee is CNY 270 per class for an electronic application covering up to ten items, plus CNY 27 for each additional item. Professional fees depend on clearance and filing scope; later disputes may be charged separately. Set coverage against actual use, realistic expansion and budget.

Foreign applicants without a domicile or business establishment in China must file through a licensed Chinese trademark agency — which is one of the services we provide, acting for overseas brand owners and for foreign law firms on behalf of their clients.

China uses the Nice Classification and a national table of similar goods and services. Subclasses are a reference, not an absolute boundary: cross-group similarity and exceptions within a group are possible. Review the actual goods, table notes and business needs before choosing a specification.

Possible routes include opposition during the applicable publication period, invalidation on available legal grounds, non-use cancellation where eligible, and negotiated assignment. The current national opposition period is three months; the revised law effective 1 January 2027 changes it to two months. Check transition arrangements, evidence, timing and cost before choosing or combining procedures.

A registration may be challenged for three consecutive years of non-use without justification. The registrant can provide evidence of genuine use or a justified reason for non-use. Eligibility and the relevant period must be checked, particularly for Madrid designations of China. Keep dated evidence tied to the mark, goods or services, and relevant territory.

No. Our International Department manages filings and disputes across 200+ countries and regions through long-term foreign associate relationships — inbound work for overseas brands entering China, and outbound programs for Chinese companies expanding globally.

Send us the mark (word and/or logo), the goods or services, the countries that matter, and any deadline or official notice you have received. We usually respond within one business day with a first read and a recommended next step. Initial consultations are free.

Chinese and English throughout the firm. Filings, official communications, evidence, and reporting are handled bilingually; several team members work with foreign associates daily.

Yes. A large part of our practice is acting as China counsel for foreign law firms and IP agencies — clearance, filing, prosecution, disputes, and enforcement, reported in the format your firm and client expect.