China IPR SME Helpdesk

Europe’s wineries are well positioned to capitalise on the growth of China’s wine industry. For example, Chinese consumers rely on European imports for 65% of its foreign wine trade. Despite the opportunities in the Chinese market, EU companies need to be aware of the presence of fake wines and...

Are you interested in how you can protect your Intellectual Property rights in China? The China IP SME Helpdesk has published factsheets that provide a quick overview of relevant intellectual property information for the regions that fall within the geographical scope of the China IP SME Helpdesk -...

The China IPR SME Helpdesk has published a guide to inform small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) of protecting their intellectual property (IP) rights in China. The new publication, titled Guide to using contracts to protect your intellectual property rights in China, addresses the importance of...

In 2014, China’s iOS app downloads surged with a 30% increase in quarterly downloads. This rapid growth, stimulated by the release of the iPhone 6 and heavy investment in Apple’s retail presence in the country, has pushed China to the top spot for app downloads worldwide. Asia is leading a mobile...

In 2011, China surpassed the US as the world’s largest consumer market for the food and beverage (F&B) industry. Chinese demand for imported food and beverage products has since continued to rise, with around 60% of Chinese consumers preferring foreign brands. This increased demand serves as an...

In China, innovative technology used in consumer products can be protected under invention or design patents. Despite this, businesses illegally use innovations in knock-off products, particularly when patents are still pending. It is therefore beneficial to think about ways to convince potential...

China’s intellectual property rights (IPR) protection system is expanding and improving, but it remains vastly different from the European system. To be successful in China, businesses must take preventative measures to protect their IPR rights. Obtaining valid IPR rights in China is a minimum first...

The fashion industry encompasses the design, manufacturing, distribution, retailing, marketing and promotion of clothing, footwear, and accessories, and is worth billions of Euros every year. While the fashion industry was initially developed in Europe and the United States, today fashion is an...

For companies considering moving into international markets, trade fairs are a key channel to introduce their product to the new market, expand visibility and customer base, and seek partners for manufacturing, distribution, and retail. For many European SMEs, exhibiting at a major trade fair in...

In 2011, the residents of Kunming, a city in the Southwest region of China, were delighted to find out that an IKEA shop had been established there. In actuality, the store is an enormous, multi-level copycat shop that sells modern IKEA-like furniture and even copies the distinctive blue and yellow...

Creative industry goods are valuable not only for their designs, but often their trademarks too, and businesses should be aware that intellectual property rights (IPR) infringement can target either or both of these types of intangible assets. In actual cases of infringement, however, enforcement...

Trade secrets are a valuable and highly useful form of intellectual property right (IPR). As the name suggests however, trade secrets are a non-registrable form of intellectual property; they only enjoy legal protection if they are not disclosed publically. It is, therefore, crucial to prevent your...