Registering a trademark in China is not just about choosing a word or a logo. The Chinese legal system recognizes several distinct types of trademarks, each requiring careful review and proper filing. Understanding these variations is essential to effectively secure your intangible assets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It refers to a name, a word, or a set of characters \u2014 either Latin or Chinese. The Chinese version of your trademark must be carefully chosen (see Article 5), both for its meaning and its pronunciation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u661f\u5df4\u514b\u201d (Xingbake) for Starbucks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These are graphic elements, logos, pictograms, etc. Widely used in the luxury and food industries. A simple variation in color or shape may justify a separate filing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It combines text and image in a single mark. Caution: registering only a combined version does not separately protect the word and the logo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A distinctive physical shape of the product, such as the Coca-Cola bottle or candy packaging. Rare, but legally recognized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Introduced more recently, it covers a jingle, melody, or distinctive sound associated with a product or brand (e.g., the MGM lion\u2019s roar).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Each type of trademark is subject to specific legal criteria and examination procedures. Failing to differentiate them can lead to a rejected application or incomplete protection. Moreover, Chinese counterfeiters often exploit the interplay between form, sound, and visuals to register imitations without directly infringing a Western registration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\ud83d\udc49 At China Brand Office, we advise you on choosing the right type of trademark based on your business, market, and visual assets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n