Trademark Registration in China
Whether you sell to China or manufacture in China, your brand is exposed. A registered trademark protects your products, your packaging, and your reputation across the entire supply chain. China is one of the world’s largest and fastest‑growing markets, and its trademark system operates on a strict first‑to‑file rule.
This means the first person to file the trademark owns it, regardless of who created the brand. For businesses expanding into China, this creates both a risk and an opportunity. If you don’t file early, someone else can. If you do file early, you secure powerful, long‑term protection in a market of 1.4 billion consumers.
Our China trademark application service starts at
US$580
It includes government fee for one class and our service fee for the trademark registration.
How to start?
The company can submit an application with the China Trade Mark Office directly or file the application through the World Intellectual Property Organization.
How fast does it take?
The duration of application is about 12 to 18 months and its registration validity last a period of 10 years. Companies may want to submit the renewal application 6 months before the expiry.
Have more questions?
Trademark Case Study in China
MUJI Japan
Many famous companies have lost trademark disputes in China. A recent example is that the original MUJI (Japanese company in 1990) had to compensate the Chinese company MUJI (Beijing company in 2015) for trademark infringement. Due to the difference of culture, legal systems and practice, it is important for companies to register its intellectual property in China as early as possible.
Hermes France
Another example is the French luxury group, Hermes, has lost its trademark infringement lawsuit to a Guangdong China cased clothing company, Dafeng Garment Factory. While Hermes has registered its English name back in 1977, they never registered its Chinese name as a trademark. In 1995, Dafeng Garment Factory applied the Chinese pronounced name “爱玛仕” of Hermes for its clothing products. The application had passed the board’s preliminary review and was then announced to the public. In 1997, Hermes appealed to the board, claiming that the name is remarkably similar to their Chinese name “爱马仕”. The two names share the same pinyin spelling, Ai Ma Sh. However, the trademark board rejected Hermes’ appeal in 2001.
Procedure in China
If a trademark is successfully registered in the Mainland of China, does it mean the trademark is also protected in the Hong Kong?
No. Registering a trademark in the Mainland of China and in Hong Kong is a separate system of protection and registration. Having a registered trademark in Mainland of China does not automatically protect your mark in Hong Kong. It also does not cover elsewhere in the world. You can apply for the registration of a trademark in each separate jurisdiction.
If you want to protect your rights in China, feel free to contact our specialist at info@getstarted.hk
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