China Trademark Search & Registration Services

How can Woodburn help you?

We specialise in China trademark registration, providing comprehensive services, including international trademark registration in China through the Madrid System. Our expertise in China trademark laws ensures that businesses navigate the registration process smoothly.

Before proceeding with a trademark application, we conduct a thorough China trademark search to identify any potential conflicts. Our China Trademark Register search helps clients assess the availability of their desired mark and minimise risks. This strategic step ensures stronger trademarks in China that align with business goals.

From initial consultation to final approval, our team guides clients through every aspect of trademark registration in China, ensuring compliance with local regulations. Whether you need assistance with a trademark search in China or full registration support, we provide tailored solutions for brand protection in the Chinese market.

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How to register a Trademark in China

Registering a trademark in China involves several key steps to ensure compliance with Chinese laws and regulations.

Here's a general overview of the process:

China Trademark Search

Before filing a China trademark application, conduct a comprehensive trademark search to ensure your desired trademark is available for registration and doesn't infringe upon existing China trademarks. This search helps minimize the risk of rejection during the application process.

Identify Goods and Services

Determine the specific goods or services associated with your trademark. Trademarks in China are classified according to the Nice Classification system, so it's essential to accurately identify the classes relevant to your products or services.

Prepare application materials

Gather all necessary documents and information required for the application, including:

Clear representation of the trademark
Description of goods or services
Applicant information (individual or entity)
Power of attorney (if using a representative)

File the application

Submit the trademark application to the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA). Applications can be filed online through the CNIPA website or physically at one of its local offices. Pay the requisite filing fees upon submission.

Examination process

CNIPA will examine the application to ensure it meets all legal requirements. This includes assessing the distinctiveness of the trademark and verifying its eligibility for registration. The examination process typically takes several months.

Office Actions and Responses

If CNIPA raises objections or issues office actions during the examination process, respond promptly and appropriately. Address any concerns raised by CNIPA to increase the chances of successful registration.

Publication and Opposition

After passing examination, the trademark will be published in the Official Gazette for public review. Interested parties have the opportunity to file oppositions against the trademark within a specified period (usually three months).

Registration and Certificate Issuance

If no oppositions are filed or successfully overcome, CNIPA will issue a trademark registration certificate. This certificate serves as official confirmation of your trademark's registration rights in China.

Trademark maintenance

Maintain your China trademark registration by renewing it before the expiration date, typically every ten years.

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Case Studies: Trademarks in China

Case Study: Overcoming Trademark Obstacles in China's Business Landscape

Overview The client approached our team in Shanghai seeking assistance with trademark registration in China. The client had recognized the importance of expanding its market presence in China but encountered a significant challenge regarding their trademark. The Challenge The client informed us that they had delayed registering its trademark in China, leaving them vulnerable to infringement by competitors and/or hijackers. The delay had allowed another entity to register

Case Study: Overcoming Trademark Rejection in China with Industry Identity

Overview We encountered an unexpected obstacle during our design mark registration process in China. Despite facing a trademark rejection in China due to similarities with Warner Brothers' design mark, we remained undeterred in our marketing endeavors, leveraging the distinct identity and unique positioning in a different industry. The Challenge We aspired to secure trademark registration for our distinctive design mark. The trademark application faced rejection on the gr

Insights on Trademarks in China

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China's Trademark Rules Are Changing in 2026, But "First to File" Still Wins

If your business sells, manufactures, or even just posts online content that could plausibly reach China, someone else may already be able to register your brand name there before you do. China operates on a strict first-to-file trademark system: whoever files with the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) first generally owns the mark, regardless of where else in the world you've used it, for how long, or how well known it is. A trademark registered in

A Practical Guide for Foreign Companies: When Your Trademark Is Already Registered in China

Discovering that your trademark has already been registered in China is unsettling, particularly when the mark is central to your commercial identity. This situation is common for overseas businesses entering the Chinese market later than expected or without early intellectual property planning. China operates on a first to file system. Rights are generally awarded to the party that files first, rather than the party that used the mark first elsewhere. That framework creates

Protecting Your Intellectual Property: Trademark Registration in China

For companies entering or expanding within China, securing trademark protection is one of the most important early steps. China’s “first-to-file” system means that the first party to register a trademark—rather than the first to use it—typically gains legal ownership. This creates both an opportunity and a risk: well-prepared businesses can protect their brand quickly and effectively, while those who delay may face disputes, costly buybacks, or brand restrictions. Trademark r