On 22 December 2025 the Standing Committee of China’s National People’s Congress finally read the long-anticipated Trademark Law Revision Draft. the Standing Committee of China’s National People’s Congress The 84-article bill is not a cosmetic touch-up; it is a surgical re-design of how brands are born, policed and punished on the mainland. Expected to take effect on 1 November 2026 , it will touch every foreign company that manufactures, sells or licenses in the People’s Rep

On 3 December 2025, China’s National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) released the Guideline on the Protection of Foreign Geographical Indications in China (2025).This article distills that official guidance and combines it with frontline practitioner experience to provide overseas associations, government authorities, and exporters with a step-by-step roadmap for obtaining GI protection in China—from zero to certificate issuance. The original Chinese guideline ca

Foreign executives often ask: “Do we really need a Chinese company name before we even file the trademark?” The short answer is yes. In China’s first-to-file system, the characters you place on the enterprise registration form double as the default word mark squatters scan first. Skip that step, and you may spend two years and RMB 2 million reclaiming your own brand. Below is a field guide to picking, clearing, and locking down a Chinese name that sails through SAMR and CNIPA

How Foreigners Can Legally Buy and Transfer a Trademark in China？ China is the world’s largest e-commerce market—and owning a Chinese trademark is essential for brand protection, platform verification, customs protection, and stopping infringement. The good news? Foreign individuals and companies can easily purchase and transfer trademarks in China, even without a local entity. This guide walks you through what you can buy, how the process works, required documents, cost, tim

Intro: The Launch of CNIPA's New Trademark Filing Portal On 20 October 2025, China’s National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) officially launched its new online trademark filing portal. This marks the most significant system upgrade in over a decade. The revamp aims to enhance convenience, security, and overall user experience for online trademark services. It better meets the practical needs of applicants. The platform introduces a new user management system. Th

A European consumer goods company once held a valuable trademark in China—a brand it had spent years building online. After relocating its Shanghai office, the company forgot to update its address with the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA). Six months later, a local competitor filed a non-use cancellation. CNIPA mailed the official notice to the old address on record, as required by law. The letter never reached the company, no response was filed, an