I. General Overview

Area: 9.6 million square kilometers.
Population: 1.41 billion (2023). The People's Republic of China (PRC), abbreviated as "China", was founded on October 1, 1949. China is located in eastern Asia and on the west coast of the Pacific Ocean. China borders 14 countries by land, including Russia, India, and Vietnam, with a land border of approximately 22,000 kilometers. China also shares sea borders with Japan, the Philippines, and other countries, with a mainland coastline of 18,000 kilometers.
The main economic data for 2023 are as follows:
GDP: $ 18.74 trillion
GDP growth rate: 5 %.
Currency: Renminbi (RMB).

II. Treaty Membership
1. Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property (Paris Convention)
Accession: 1985

2. Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) (PCT)
Accession: 1994

3. Madrid Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Marks (Madrid Agreement)
Accession: 1989

4. Protocol Relating to the Madrid Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Marks (Madrid Protocol)
Accession: 1995

5. Hague Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Industrial Designs (Hague Agreement)
Accession: 2022

III. Trademark Application Procedure and Required Documents
1. Trademark Registrable Elements and Types
Elements that can be registered as trademarks in China include: words, graphics, letters, numbers, color combinations, three-dimensional signs, sounds, etc.
The types of trademarks that can be registered in China include: trademarks, service marks, collective trademarks, and certification trademarks.

2. Filing Routes
1) National filing (direct filing)
2) Madrid International Registration

3. Required Documents
⦁ Power of attorney (POA);
⦁ Applicant's name, address and nationality;
⦁ List of goods and/or services;
⦁ Clear representation of the mark;
⦁ Copy of certificate of incorporation (if applicable);
⦁ If priority is claimed, a certified copy of the priority document needs to be submitted.

4. Application Procedure and Timeline
Filing: the 12th edition of the Nice Classification is adopted; multiple-class applications are possible; the principle of first-to-file is followed; applications will be accepted approximately one week after submission.
Examination: formal examination and substantive examination; 7-8 months
Publication/Opposition: the opposition period is 3 months
Registration: About 12 months from filing to registration (if smooth)

5.Protection Period and Renewal
The validity period is 10 years from the date of registration. It can be renewed 12 months before the expiration date with a grace period of 6 months. Each renewal is valid for 10 years.

6.Assignment
Allowed for both pending and registered trademarks. An assignment application form and identification documents of both parties are required, and the processing period is approximately 4 months.

7.Chang of Name/Address
Allowed for both pending and registered trademarks. A change application form, proof of change, identity documents, and the original trademark certificate are requried, and the processing period is about 1 month.

8.Cancellation
Non-use Cancellation: If a trademark has not been used for three consecutive years, any organization or individual may file a cancellation request for the unused trademark.

IV. Trademark application statistics *:
A: Statistics on total trademark applications:
2021: -
2022: -
2023: -
B: Statistics of trademark applications from China:
2021: -
2022: -
2023: -