About us

We help companies, start-ups, entrepreneurs protect their vital asset: brand name. Intellectual property is important for success in China; we can trademark your brand or patent in China, the world’s biggest market. We work with experienced, English speaking, and most importantly trustworthy qualified attorneys. Why? Because we got sick and tired of hearing hardworking honest entrepreneurs and businesses falling prey to trademark squatting (theft). We are here to serve and protect.

How it all started

 

 

It was back in 2017 at the Marriot in Shanghai late in the evening, when we had just finished clinking our champagne flutes celebrating our successful contract with a local manufacturer when we heard a commotion at the other side of the swanky bar between a local Chinese businessman and a foreigner (Italian businessman). All of a sudden all hell broke loose; the Italian guy had the Chinese guy by the scruff of his neck. The police came and the Italian was arrested without any witness statement or investigation. Later, we heard from another European businessman the Italian was a victim of squatting.

Squatting, what the hell is that? You may be thinking. It’s when someone trademarks your brand behind your back to extract large amounts of money to sell it back to you so you can sell your products/services. In the Italian guy’s case it was his own supplier, which happens frequently in China. Poor guy, either forgot or never even considered to trademark his brand (dummy!) therefore he couldn’t export his products out of China due to trademark infringement, nor could he sell his goods in China. In other words the Italian got himself in a pickle.  Turned out this happens to a lot of aspiring entrepreneurs and not just to start-ups or small and medium businesses, but big established companies were also victim of this disgusting practise such as Air Jordan, Tesla, Apple, Ralph Lauren etc.

His own supplier kept his products hostage for a ransom. Crazy right? Unfortunately, this happens frequently to entrepreneurs in China who are not familiar with the law and custom of intellectual property in China.

In case you're wondering what happened to the Italian guy, well, I heard it through the grapevine that he had no choice but to pay a astronomical fee to his own supplier to buy back his own brand name in order to get his products exported out of China. Wait, I’m confused…why the hell would his own supplier do that? Isn’t it bad for business? Well, yeah, but in China it’s different. Why? Because you’re a dumb laowei! (Foreigner) that’s why. In other worlds the supplier knew that his own client would eventually pay because the supplier had done this numerous times before, and will continue to do it to new clients. Everyone in China has got skin in the game with squatting. When I mean everybody, I mean everybody. Even the university international students you see at western universities. Yeah, them too. Oh, boy do I have a lot to tell you….

Have I told you about Air Jordan, Tesla, and Coca Cola etc? They all had to pay hefty sums to buy back their own brand name. What makes you think you are any different?

You see, China operates a first to file system in regards to trademark. In order words anyone can trademark your brand without your knowing. The early bird catches the worm. There are companies outside China right now who are completely oblivious to the fact that their company name or brand name has already been trademarked by some random person in China and is waiting for the company to expand to China so they can extort large amounts of money to sell the rights back to them. It’s nothing personal, it’s business just like Michael Corleone would say.

Our Advice:

Do NOT be a victim of trademark squatting (theft). Be smart and protect your brand. See our services. See how we can help you. Or send us a message using our contact page.

If you are planning on doing business in China, like working with a supplier or planning on selling products or services in China through distribution, or online e-commerce or exporting to China then a trademark is critically needed. Otherwise you may just end up like the Italian guy, the sucker!