China Inbound Legal Guides · Intellectual Property
Intellectual Property
China IP is create → own → register → commercialise → enforce. First-to-file and trade-secret hygiene are different jobs from a brand story.
Own, file, keep secret, or enforce — which IP job? Open the matching topic route or counsel — this hub does not decide the legal outcome on your facts.
A three-month opposition window or a non-use clock can close the brand file. This is an IP calendar, not a customs duty window and not a family-safety route.
Signature · Create → own → register → commercialise → enforce
IP is a lifecycle, not a logo file.
start → operate → change → exit
- OwnWho holds the right?Employee, vendor and China-first-to-file surprises.
- FileTrade mark / patent / copyrightDifferent clocks, different offices, different evidence.
- SecretKeep it a secretNNN, access logs and employee IP — or it is not a secret.
- EnforceWatch and actAdmin, civil, customs — pick a forum that matches the harm.
IP lifecycle
Which IP file controls the next step?
Start with the situation
Own, file, keep secret, or enforce — which IP job?
Each topic owns one bounded decision, then connects to deeper guides, local context or counsel. This hub does not duplicate long-form analysis.
Ownership & first-to-file
Who owns the right in China, and why filing order often beats overseas use.
Trademarks
Registration, classes, opposition and the brand file that first-to-file actually protects.
Patents & designs
Invention, utility model and design patents as a separate file from brands and secrets.
NNN & trade secrets
NNN packs, NDAs that fail in China, and the secrecy measures that make a secret enforceable.
Opposition & cancellation clocks
The three-month opposition window, invalidation and non-use cancellation — calendar first.
Enforcement & customs recordal
Admin, civil, criminal and customs recordal routes — not HS classification of the goods.
Common entry points
Already know what is happening?
Curated resources
Go deeper without losing the route.
Long-form analysis lives on canonical guides. This hub only points.
China IP launch-to-enforcement control room
National trademarks, patents, secrets and enforcement-route map.
China trademark first-to-file
Why filing order in China often beats overseas use.
NNN agreements for China manufacturing
A China-shaped pack before drawings go to a factory.
How to file a trademark opposition in China
The three-month clock and revision window.
China patents: invention, utility model and design
Patent types as a separate file from trademarks and secrets.
Beijing intellectual property lawyers
Local counsel layer when enforcement forum is material.
Local context
Add the city when the enforcement forum changes.
AIC/SAMR and court practice can differ after the national IP route is identified.
Open city and province guidesCounsel hand-off
Need IP counsel?
This hub organises filing, secrets and enforcement routes. It does not register rights, stop a squatter or bind CNIPA on your facts.
Find IP counsel