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30.03.2022 | China – Metaverse trademarks in Chinese

China – Metaverse trademarks in Chinese Yuan yuzhou (元宇宙) is the Chinese translation for Metaverse. Since the concept of metaverse become popular, there were already over 10 thousand new trademark applications in China for marks incorporating this term and the number is double in the last couple of months. So far, only very few of them were accepted for registration, many are under re-examination after the first refusal. !

28.02.2022 | Current News Reports Related to Trademarks in Taiwan

Current News Reports Related to Trademarks in Taiwan Recently, a news report in Taiwan pointed out that a trademark rejection notice issued by the China National Intellectual Property Administration was circulating on the Internet. The text briefly reads “The logo contains ‘Chunhua’. As “Hu Chunhua” is a member of the Political Bureau of the 19th Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Vice-premier and Party member of the State Council, use of this logo as a trademark may easily cause... MORE

28.02.2022 | Hague International Design System is fixed with the long missing piece of China.

Hague International Design System is fixed with the long missing piece of China. China joined the Hague International Design System in Feb 2022 and International Registration for Industrial Design will be available in China (excluding Hong Kong and Macau) commencing on 5 May 2022. In line with the Hague Design System, China Patent Law was amended in 2021 and extended the maximum protection term of a design registration filed in China on or after 1 June 2021 from 10 years... MORE

28.02.2022 | How to use ®TM

How to use ®TM There is no requirement in law to indicate that a trade mark is registered, while in case it is registered it is common practice to refer to the fact either by using the words “Registered Trade Mark” or the internationally recognized symbol ®. The advantage of indicating that the mark is registered is that it puts third parties on notice of the fact and makes it less likely that an infringer of the trade mark registration... MORE

29.01.2022 | China Cartier was awarded damages for RMB 6.1 million against trademark counterfeiters

China Cartier was awarded damages for RMB 6.1 million against trademark counterfeiters On 24 January 2022, Shanghai No. 3 Intermediate People’s Court upheld the ruling of a lower court and awarded RMB 6.1 million damages to Cartier against China trademark counterfeiters who are also sentenced to 2 years imprisonment and pay fine for RMB 200K. Hong Kong Landmark preliminary injunction restraining passing off in mainland China by a Hong Kong infringer. The Defendant was an ex-distributor of the Plaintiff (Child... MORE

29.01.2022 | Cancellation of Trade Mark Registration

Cancellation of Trade Mark Registration In Hong Kong, cancellation proceedings can be commenced either before the Registrar of Trade Marks or through the High Court. If proceedings are taken before the Registrar, the steps involved are similar to those relating to a trade mark opposition. Each side has the opportunity to submit evidence in support of their case, the matter then going to formal hearing before a senior Registrar of the Registry who will finally issue a written decision to... MORE

29.01.2022 | Can I not register the trademark receiving a trademark opposition statement?

Can I not register the trademark receiving a trademark opposition statement? When our meticulous trademark application was approved by the Intellectual Property Office, but we receive an official letter shortly after we received the certificate, informing us that the trademark has been challenged by others, and we are requested to reply within a specified period. At such moment, we would feel very helpless. According to the reviewing criteria in Taiwan, any person may apply to the Intellectual Property Office for... MORE

21.01.2022 | Cancellation of Trade Mark Registration

29.12.2021 | China and Hong Kong : Nice Classification 11th ed version 2022

China and Hong Kong : Nice Classification 11th ed version 2022 Nice Classification 11th ed version 2022 will become effective in China and Hong Kong on 1st January 2022, confirmed by China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) and the Intellectual Property Department of Hong Kong. The “similar goods and services table” used in China practice has been revised to adopt the changes.

29.12.2021 | The Advantages of Filing Hong Kong Trademark Opposition in the First Place

The Advantages of Filing Hong Kong Trademark Opposition in the First Place: Trademark Protection System The system for protecting trademark rights in Hong Kong is based on use of marks and registration of marks. While an entity is not required to register its trademark in order to protect it, it is always recommended to do so, so as to save the time and effort in enforcing and protecting the trademark rights. Trademark Opposition System On the other hand, it is... MORE