China Trademark System Crash Course

I. Features of Chinese Trademark System:

1. Source of trademark rights

The Trademark Law of the People's Republic of China.

2. How do trademark rights arise?

By registration.

3. Bona fide intention to use the trademark

To apply for registration, the applicant does not need to prove actual use or bona fide intent to use the mark. However, malicious trademarks that are applied not because of the actual intention to use the marks shall be rejected.

4. Commercial use of the trademark

Commercial use is not required to obtain a registration of a trademark in China.

5. Nice Classification?

The CNIPA uses the Nice Classification.

6. "Class-wide" applications not allowed