China’s trademark laws define trademark registration as the legal process for obtaining exclusive rights to use a trademark. Trademark registration is available to individuals, legal entities, and organizations. Trademarks that receive approval are designated as registered trademarks, and their exclusive rights receive legal protection. The exclusive rights to a trademark are limited to the approved classified goods and services. Trademarks, service marks, collective marks, and certification marks can all be registered in China. Current law requires registering a trademark before selling goods in the market.
Only registered trademarks will have exclusive rights to the trademark and therefore protection. China has adopted a policy of strongly encouraging registration, based on the analysis that it would be in the country’s best interest. However, the ease of registration in recent years has garnered controversy over trademark squatting.
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