Frequently Asked Questions

Trademark squatters are individuals or companies who file for a trademark that is in use by another company in bad faith.

Regular searches through trademark Gazettes can uncover any trademarks attempting to earn registration that may pose a threat to your brand.

Regularly searching through sites such as Alibaba and Baidu can help you discover any damaging activity to your brand. Some firms also offer trademark watch services and will alert you of any suspicious activity.

Private investigators can be hired to discover and collect evidence on companies selling counterfeits of your brand which can be turned in to the State Administration of Industry and Commerce (SAIC) as evidence towards a complaint or file a claim with the People’s Court.

By registering your goods with the General Administration of Customs (GAC) you can be made aware of any counterfeit goods that pass through Chinese borders and take swift action.

To register with the GAC, an applicant must include their name, personal information, contact information, the information and a representation of the goods, a list of priority products covered by the trademark for heightened protection and a photo to identify those product(s).

A GAC registration lasts for 10 years.

The GAC will monitor imports and exports and alert you if any goods that are identical or similar to yours reach the borders.

One trademark registration with the Chinese customs covers up to 30 items.

Registrants should not just look out for identical or similar names but also be aware of their Chinese translations and identical or similar goods or services.

For the best level of protection, a trademark should be monitored every month, aligning with the publication of weekly Gazettes from the Trademark Office.