Protecting a commercial trademark – the first steps to investing in China safely

If you are thinking about expanding your business to the Chinese market, or you have already started selling in this market, or exhibiting your products at trade fairs or to Chinese partners, it is crucial to protect your trademark from what are known as “intellectual property hijackers”.

Situations of people registering foreign trademarks illegally in China for improper use in their own businesses or for “resale” to other companies are widely known.

What strategy should entrepreneurs adopt in China to protect their trademarks from these abusive registrations?