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ARTICLE · 26 OCTOBER 2026

China Domain Name And Trademark Scam Emails

Unsolicited emails from China warning that someone is registering your company name as a domain or trademark have circulated for over 20 years. Most are sales pitches or outright scams, though some identify genuine trademark applications with real deadlines. Understanding how to verify these claims yourself—and when to involve your own counsel—can save thousands of dollars and prevent serious intellectual property problems.

ChinaIntellectual Property

China Domain Name and Trademark Scam Emails: How to Recognize Them and What to Do

An email arrives from China warning that someone is about to register your company's name. Sometimes it comes from a supposed domain registrar claiming another business wants your name as a Chinese domain. Other times, a Chinese intellectual property firm says someone has applied to register your trademark and that you have only a short time to oppose it. Our China lawyers have dealt with hundreds of these emails over the past two decades. Most have been scams or sales solicitations, but some trademark warnings identify genuine applications with real deadlines. Either way, do not reply to the sender and do not pay it. Check the claim yourself or through your own lawyer.

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