China IP Desk — Trademark & Patent Protection for European Brands

The China trap most brands miss

China is first-to-file. Waiting is a risk.

What "first-to-file" really means

The first party to file a trademark in China owns it — not the first to use it.
If you haven't registered, a local party can register your brand and legally block you.
They may then demand a payoff, or stop your goods at the border.
Undoing a squatting registration is slow and costly — prevention is far cheaper.

Real-world case

A well-known international sports brand lost control of its Chinese name after a local company registered it first. Years of litigation and a costly settlement followed. Don't let it be you.

Supplier risk

European brands manufacturing in China often discover their own OEM factory filed the trademark under its own name. A 10-minute search could have prevented it.

E-commerce takedowns

Without a Chinese registration, you cannot remove counterfeit listings on Taobao, 1688 or Alibaba. Registration = the weapon.

What we do

Full China IP services, end to end

From a quick search to enforcement on the ground — one local team, no middlemen.

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Trademark Search & Filing

Availability search, class strategy and CNIPA filing for trademarks in China — including the UK, now a separate registration post-Brexit. Official CNIPA fees included.

€450 1st class · €400 each further

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Oppositions & Disputes

Defend against squatters, file oppositions and invalidation actions through CNIPA's administrative channels.

from €1000 / action

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Patent & Copyright

Chinese invention, utility-model and design patent filings, plus copyright recordal for software and creative works.

from €450 design · €2,500+ invention

All prices are all-inclusive (official CNIPA fees included) and indicative. A fixed quote is provided before any work begins.

Meet your China IP desk

Huang Chenglong (黄诚隆) · Certified China Trademark Agent · CTA Level II

A certified trademark agent in China's national Trademark Talent Pool (cert. B2333007323, verifiable at cip.org.cn). I help European businesses register, defend and enforce their IP in China — directly, without the middleman markup European firms add when they outsource the same work.

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Direct, not double-billed. European firms outsource China work and mark it up 2–3x. Come to me directly.

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On the ground. Filings, responses and hearings handled in China via CNIPA — no layers of forwarding.

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English, fast. Timezone-aligned with Europe: your end of day is my morning. Replies within 24h.

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Transparent. Fixed quotes, official fees shown separately, no surprises.

Free China Brand Check

We'll search the CNIPA database for your brand and tell you, in plain English, what we find — within one business day.

✓ Is your brand already registered?
✓ Has it been squatted by someone else?
✓ Which classes do you need?
✓ A no-obligation recommended next step

Request your check

No commitment. We only use your details to send your result.

Questions

Frequently asked

Do I need a Chinese trademark if I only sell in Europe?

If you manufacture in China, source there, or plan to enter the Chinese market, yes. A local party can register your brand in China and then block your imports or demand payment. Prevention is far cheaper than litigation.

How long does a China trademark registration take?

Roughly 8–12 months if there are no oppositions. We'll give you a realistic timeline after the preliminary search.

How much does it cost?

Our service fees start around €450 per class, plus official CNIPA fees which we show separately. You get a fixed quote before any work begins — no hidden charges.

Do you work with European law firms?

Yes. We act as the "China desk" for several European IP firms on a white-label basis, handling filings, oppositions and enforcement locally. Get in touch to discuss a partnership.

How do we communicate?

In English, via email or video call. We're timezone-aligned with Europe and typically respond within 24 hours.