Trade Marks in Asia | Chang Tsi & Partners

Trademark

Chang Tsi & Partners assists clients across Asia with trademark filing strategies, registrability searches, prosecution, rights protection and renewals. We also advise on recordal and post-registration matters and work closely with local associates and IP authorities throughout the region. Our experience and knowledge of Asian trademark systems enable us to develop effective prosecution and protection strategies across multiple jurisdictions.

Frequently Asked Questions

	Protection of Well Known Trade marks	Madrid Registrations Enforceable	First to File Jurisdiction	Opposition Proceedings Possible	Non-use Period For Cancellation	Custom Recordals Possible
China	Yes	Yes	No	No	3 Years	Yes
Hong Kong	Yes	Yes	No	No	3 Years	Yes
Taiwan	Yes	Yes	No	No	3 Years	Yes
Macao	Yes	Yes	No	No	3 Years	Yes
Vietnam	Yes	Yes	No	No	3 Years	Yes
Singapore	Yes	Yes	No	No	3 Years	Yes
Japan	Yes	Yes	No	No	3 Years	Yes
Philippines	Yes	Yes	No	No	3 Years	Yes
South Korea	Yes	Yes	No	No	3 Years	Yes
Thailand	Yes	Yes	No	No	3 Years	Yes
United Arab Emirates	Yes	Yes	No	No	3 Years	Yes
India	Yes	Yes	No	No	3 Years	Yes
Pakistan	Yes	Yes	No	No	3 Years	Yes
Sri Lanka	Yes	Yes	No	No	3 Years	Yes
Kazakhstan	Yes	Yes	No	No	3 Years	Yes
Uzbekistan	Yes	Yes	No	No	3 Years	Yes
Iraq	Yes	Yes	No	No	3 Years	Yes
Iran	Yes	Yes	No	No	3 Years	Yes
North Korea	Yes	Yes	No	No	3 Years	Yes
Nepal	Yes	Yes	No	No	3 Years	Yes
Myanmar	Yes	Yes	No	No	3 Years	Yes
Mongolia	Yes	Yes	No	No	3 Years	Yes
Armenia	Yes	Yes	No	No	3 Years	Yes
Georgia	Yes	Yes	No	No	3 Years	Yes
Tajikistan	Yes	Yes	No	No	3 Years	Yes
Kyrgyzstan	Yes	Yes	No	No	3 Years	Yes
Republic of Maldives	Yes	Yes	No	No	3 Years	Yes
Azerbaijan	Yes	Yes	No	No	3 Years	Yes
Palestine	Yes	Yes	No	No	3 Years	Yes
Laos	Yes	Yes	No	No	3 Years	Yes
Brunei	Yes	Yes	No	No	3 Years	Yes
Cambodia	Yes	Yes	No	No	3 Years	Yes
Turkmenistan	Yes	Yes	No	No	3 Years	Yes
Yemen	Yes	Yes	No	No	3 Years	Yes
Jordan	Yes	Yes	No	No	3 Years	Yes
Saudi Arabia	Yes	Yes	No	No	3 Years	Yes
Qatar	Yes	Yes	No	No	3 Years	Yes
Kuwait	Yes	Yes	No	No	3 Years	Yes
Bahrain	Yes	Yes	No	No	3 Years	Yes
Syria	Yes	Yes	No	No	3 Years	Yes
Lebanon	Yes	Yes	No	No	3 Years	Yes
Israel	Yes	Yes	No	No	3 Years	Yes
Oman	Yes	Yes	No	No	3 Years	Yes
Afghanistan	Yes	Yes	No	No	3 Years	Yes
Malaysia	Yes	Yes	No	No	3 Years	Yes
Bangladesh	Yes	Yes	No	No	3 Years	Yes
Timor-Leste	Yes	Yes	No	No	3 Years	Yes
Cyprus	Yes	Yes	No	No	3 Years	Yes
Palestine	Yes	Yes	No	No	3 Years	Yes

FAQs

Q
Availability of electronic trademark searches in Asia?

A

China/Japan/Korea have sophisticated online databases. India's search is free but unreliable. Developing countries (Cambodia, Laos) still rely on manual searches. Most systems provide English interfaces.
Q
What trademark classification systems are used in Asian countries?

A

Most Asian countries adopt the Nice Classification system, with China, Japan and South Korea using the 11th edition. Some jurisdictions like India and Indonesia have additional sub-classifications. ASEAN members are working towards harmonizing their classification systems.
Q
What international trademark agreements apply in Asia?

A

Key agreements include the Madrid Protocol (accepted by China, Japan, Korea etc.) and TRIPS Agreement. Notable exceptions include Taiwan which isn't WIPO member but has its own multilateral agreements. Regional systems like ASEAN TM systems are developing.
Q
What types of trademarks are registrable in Asia?

A

Beyond conventional marks, China accepts sound marks, Japan allows position marks, while Singapore recognizes hologram marks. Non-traditional marks like color/scent marks face more challenges in developing Asian markets.

Q
Requirements for PCT national phase entry in Asia?

A

Standard documents: 1) PCT publication 2) International Search Report 3) Amendments (if any). China requires full Chinese translation within 30 months. Japan/Korea allow 30-month entry with English applications. India has strict biological material deposit requirements.

Q
Documents needed for design owner name changes in Asia?
A
- Certified copy of name change certificate (company registry extract for corporations).
- China requires official Chinese translation with notarization.
- India mandates Form 22 submission with supporting evidence.
- Japan/Korea processes are efficient (4-6 weeks) with bilingual forms.
- No government fees for name changes in Singapore and Malaysia.

Why Us

Our trademark practice has been recognized by international legal and IP publications including Chambers, The Legal 500 and World Trademark Review. We provide full-lifecycle trademark services covering domestic and international filing and maintenance, market monitoring, investigations, administrative enforcement, customs protection, infringement litigation, IP strategy, brand development, trademark licensing and IP due diligence.

Trademark Strategy & Portfolio Planning: We advise on overall trademark and brand protection strategies, including the development of internal brand management systems and procedures. Our services cover global trademark acquisition and maintenance strategies, brand protection planning, portfolio development, and global trademark protection and licensing strategies.

Searches, Clearance & Filing: We conduct trademark searches and clearance reviews and assist with trademark design and filing. Our team coordinates domestic and international applications to help clients build and maintain trademark portfolios across key markets.

Trademark Prosecution & Dispute Resolution: We represent clients in opposition, review, invalidation and cancellation proceedings, as well as trademark administrative litigation. We also handle renewals, amendments and other recordal matters and continuously monitor the status of clients’ trademark rights.

Enforcement & Anti-Counterfeiting: We protect and enforce trademark rights through court proceedings, oppositions and cancellations, company-name disputes, domain-name arbitration, online takedowns, advertising complaints, customs recordal and anti-counterfeiting actions. Our services also include market investigations and evidence collection, administrative enforcement and civil and criminal litigation across Greater China and Asia.

Licensing, Transactions & Commercialization: We advise on trademark transactions and commercialization, including trademark assignments and licensing, transaction documentation, IP due diligence in investments and M&A, and IP valuation. Our litigators also bring substantial experience in negotiation and settlement, helping clients pursue commercially practical and cost-effective solutions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Us

Our Team

Counsel | Trademark Agent

Counsel | Attorney at Law

Trademark Agent

Attorney at Law

Trademark Agent

Trademark Agent

Trademark Agent