1. Search and risk assessment. A clearance search takes one to three business days and identifies any identical or similar earlier marks.
2. Filing. The application is filed with the Trademark Office of the CNIPA, specifying the class or classes and the individual goods or services. Foreign applicants must file through a trademark agency lawfully established in China.
3. Formality examination. The Trademark Office checks that the application meets formal requirements.
4. Substantive examination. The examiner assesses distinctiveness, conflicts with earlier marks, and whether the mark contains signs prohibited from registration. The CNIPA may issue an examination opinion notice or a refusal notice at this stage.
5. Preliminary approval and publication. The mark is published for three months. During this window, prior rights holders and interested parties may oppose on relative grounds, and any party may oppose on absolute grounds. Absent a successful opposition, the mark proceeds to registration, and the Trademark Office issues the registration certificate.
