Tips About Trademark Applicant's Name / Address Changes

In China, the applicant can repeat register the same or similar trademark on the same or similar goods or services, unless there are a large number of trademark applications that clearly exceed a reasonable business scope and are suspected of malicious application without intention to use (in violation of Article 4 of China Trademark Law). However, we often encounter a type of trademark refusal where the applicant finds in the refusal notification that their own prior identical or similar trademark, for which they applied, is preventing the registration of their later applied trademark. The reason for this is that the applicant has changed their name or address based on business needs. The re-submitted trademark application uses a new name or address, but the applicant did not promptly make changes to the trademarks registered under the old name or address with the National Intellectual Property Administration, PRC ("CNIPA"). Therefore, the trademarks applied for