This May 1, many trademark practitioners around the world will not only be celebrating May Day, but will also be welcoming the much-anticipated revisions to China’s trademark law. The revisions are intended to stream-line and modernize the registration process, as well as to prevent trademark squatting.
Highlights intended to stream-line the registration process include:
- Applicants no longer need to file separate applications for each class, but can instead file a single multi-class application covering their various goods and services.
- Electronic filings will now be possible, consistent with many other trademark offices around the world.
- Statutory time limits for reviewing applications will now be in place.
Opposition procedure will also be revised, with the intent to prevent vexatious litigation and add finality to decisions. Additional safeguards intended to prevent trademark squatting, including the principle of “good faith,” will be put in place.
More information on these revisions can be found in the publication titled “Modernization of China’s Trademark Law Regime,” authored by Squire Sanders’ attorney Nick Chan, in our Hong Kong office.
