Friday, October 26, 2012

Six Pointers On Trademarks in China


I am not fan of trademarks in intellectual property, but here is a curious article on getting a trade mark in China, which may be especially useful for a USA company pursuing a trademark in China.

Businesses on the mainland should stay vigilant to all the products they sell under the trademark because they would be held accountable if there are quality concerns even in just one of the products.

I had to think this through.  In USA a trademark originally was to distinguish one brand from another.  People buying Kodak knew exactly what they were getting.  Quality was assumed.  The trademark was to assist in helping the consumer select a product with a known quality level.  The state role was to assure nobody else used the trademark.

In China the state role seems to be to assure the trade mark holder maintains a quality level.  So it seems the concept of trade mark has been drafted in the Communist Party campaign on "clean business."

And why not?  the Chinese Communist Party has one of the best brands known to mankind, and very well known logo.  They jealously guard it, and for me when in China the seas part when I present any document stamped by the Communist Party (visa invitations, fair passes).


So, yes, trade marks that serve China's needs, trade marks "Chinese style."  There is a difference.

Feel free to forward this by email to three of your friends.


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