Introduction
China's IP system is sometimes
perceived by brand owners as opaque and intimidating. This
"China angst" is often furthered by the lack of
information available to many on the realities of trademark
enforcement and the stories from others highlighting the troubles
that can come with protecting your brand. However, the truth is
that the enforcement of trademark rights in China is absolutely
possible. In fact, the bulk of the negative China stories are
coming from those brand owners who were late to registering their
rights and fighting parties who have beaten them to the punch in
China's first-to-file system (a discussion we will save for
another time). Nevertheless, trademark owners do have a number of
enforcement options and can certainly join the long list of brand
owners who have found success in China's growing market. Here,
I aim to provide you with a lighted path through China's
seemingly hazy system, with a step by step outline of what should
be
