China Trademark Registration Service

China operates under a strict first-to-file trademark system. This means you only obtain exclusive rights by registering your trademark: unregistered marks have little to no protection. Whoever files first—regardless of prior use—tends to own the rights. For that reason, registering early is critical to prevent trademark hijacking, a common issue affecting foreign brands.

A registered trademark in China allows you to:

• Block copycats and counterfeiters
• Protect your brand name, logo, and overall product identity
• Strengthen your presence on major platforms such as Alibaba, Tmall, JD.com and Douyin
• Access customs enforcement to stop infringing imports and exports
• Increase your company’s long-term commercial value

All applications are filed before the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA). China is also a member of the Madrid Protocol, so you may obtain protection through international trademark registration via the Madrid System; you can learn more about this route in our trademark services through the Madrid System.

It’s also important to note that a Chinese trademark registration does not extend to Hong Kong, Macau or Taiwan. If you need protection in those territories, you should consider separate filings for trademark registration in Hong Kong, trademark registration in Macau and trademark registration in Taiwan.

Because trademark squatting is widespread in China, we strongly recommend filing your China trade mark registration as early as possible, even if you are only considering entering the Chinese market or manufacturing there. In many cases, it is also advisable to register a Chinese-character version of your brand to improve recognition and reduce the risk of third parties adopting a similar Chinese name.

To register a trademark in China, you will generally need:

• Scanned copy of a signed Power of Attorney. No notarization or legalization required.

Additional document required: for companies or other legal entities, a scanned copy of an official company registration document; for individuals, a scanned copy of a passport or national ID.

• The name or logo you want to register
• The applicant’s details

Your iGERENT consultant will confirm the exact requirements for your case and guide you through each step.

Most China trademark registrations take around 7 months in straightforward cases.

Timelines depend on:

• Examiner review
• Any objections or requests for clarification
• Whether oppositions are filed
• Complexity of the goods/services

Your dedicated consultant tracks all deadlines and updates you regularly so you never have to monitor CNIPA status pages yourself.

Once your application is accepted, CNIPA issues your certificate and your mark is valid for 10 years.

Renewals can be filed:

• Within the 12 months before expiry, or
• During a 6-month grace period (with late fees)

To simplify long-term portfolio management, we recommend our China Trademark Renewal Service.

Yes. China has an opposition system that allows right holders to oppose a newly published application within 3 months of its publication. Grounds usually include:

• Similarity to an existing registered trademark
• Bad-faith filing
• Conflict with earlier rights

iGERENT can assist with preparing and filing oppositions through our local counsel.

Use is not required to obtain registration. However:

• If the trademark is not used for three consecutive years, it may be cancelled for non-use.
• Use must be genuine commercial use in China.

If you register with iGERENT, your consultant will guide you on the documentation needed in case proof of use is ever required.

CNIPA recognizes 3D trade mark registration in China, allowing protection for distinctive product shapes or packaging when they function as a source identifier.

To be accepted, a 3D trademark must:

• Be distinctive (so consumers recognise it as indicating commercial origin)
• Not be functional
• Not simply result from the nature of the product
• Not derive its value merely from its shape

To register a 3D mark in China, applicants must provide clear visual representations, usually several views (typically six) from different angles. If the shape is not inherently distinctive, CNIPA may require evidence of acquired distinctiveness, such as proof that consumers associate the shape with your brand.

3D trademark applications are examined under the same legal framework as other trademarks, but with particular focus on distinctiveness, functionality and conflicts with earlier rights. Because they often demand additional strategy and supporting evidence, if you’re considering filing a 3D trademark in China, feel free to contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation so we can review your case and guide you on the best approach.