A: Any sign that can distinguish your goods and services, including words, designs, letters, numbers, three-dimensional shapes, and color combinations, may be registered. We assist in evaluating the distinctiveness and registrability of your mark before submission.
A: You will obtain exclusive rights to the trademark nationwide for the approved goods or services. This supports e-commerce entry, distribution channel applications, brand authorization, customs recordals, and enforcement against infringement.
A: It depends on your legal entity status. According to Chinese Trademark Law, foreign individuals or enterprises without a permanent residence or place of business in China must appoint a legally registered trademark agency. We provide end-to-end foreign representation and handle all statutory procedures on your behalf.
A: In straightforward cases, the total process from submission to obtaining the e-certificate takes approximately 6 to 7 months. The main milestones include:
Application Date: Obtaining the filing number to establish your priority date.
Approx. 1 Month: Receipt of the official Notice of Acceptance (formality check).
Approx. 3 Months: Substantive examination results.
Following 3 Months: Publication period (Opposition window).
Upon Publication Expiry: Certificate issuance if no opposition is filed.
A: Yes, and we offer unlimited searches as a core part of our service. With over 50 million registered trademarks in China, filing blindly carries high risks. Our workflow includes understanding your needs, performing high-precision searches, and providing a comprehensive risk analysis and advisory report.
A: It depends on your business scope and goals. A single application covers only one class. Our experts will help you balance cost and coverage by assessing your current products and recommending defensive classes for future 3-5 year expansion plans.
A: We operate entirely in-house. From initial consultation to filing and post-registration management, you deal directly with a dedicated IP professional. This eliminates third-party intermediaries, ensures the highest level of data confidentiality, and allows for quick responses.
A: Absolutely. Safeguarding your data is our professional baseline. Before official submission, all application details are handled solely by our internal team. We ensure no external exposure that could lead to preemptive squatting.
A: Frankly, no reputable agency can offer a 100% guarantee. The final decision rests with CNIPA examiners based on the Trademark Law. The risks include examiner objections (such as lack of distinctiveness or prior conflicting marks) and third-party oppositions. We add value by using strict pre-screening strategies to minimize risks and provide professional defense if needed.
A: If a refusal occurs, we will conduct an in-depth analysis of the examiner's grounds (whether absolute or relative). We assess the chances of success and provide you with a clear, pragmatic strategy for a Review and Refusal procedure, though it requires a separate service agreement and billing.
A: If a third party opposes the mark during the 3-month publication period, we will analyze the opposition claims, evaluate your chances of success in defense, and provide strategic support to protect your rights, which is subject to a separate fee and agreement.
A: You can use ™, but not ®. The ™ symbol indicates that the sign is being used as a trademark. The ® symbol should only be used after the certificate is issued; otherwise, it constitutes an offense under Chinese law. We advise using ™ during the examination if the search risk is low, and waiting for approval for large-scale marketing.
A: The registration is valid for 10 years from the date of registration. It can be renewed indefinitely every 10 years. We will proactively remind you of upcoming deadlines and handle the renewal process on your behalf.
A: The main risk is non-use cancellation (known as "撤三"). Any third party can petition to cancel a trademark if it has not been used in the Chinese market for 3 consecutive years. We will provide practical guidance on how to preserve usage evidence (e.g., contracts, invoices, and advertisements) to protect your registration.
A: We offer full life-cycle IP management, including:
Trademark Monitoring and Oppositions: Tracking newly filed conflicting marks.
Trademark Changes, Assignments, and Renewals: Ensuring administrative compliance.
Copyright Registration: Building a multi-layered protection network alongside trademarks.
