News

17th Feb 2021

Spruson & Ferguson awarded multiple rankings in WTR 1000

Spruson & Ferguson has once again been highly recommended in the 2020 edition of the World Trademark Review 1000 (WTR). 

Spruson & Ferguson has once again been highly recommended in the 2020 edition of the World Trademark Review 1000...

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3rd Feb 2021

China update: advantages of selecting the European Patent Office as International Searching Authority for PCT applications

The Chinese National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) has established a two-year pilot cooperation with the European Patent Office (EPO) for patent applications filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). With...

The Chinese National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) has established a two-year pilot cooperation with the European Patent Office (EPO)...

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20th Oct 2020

China update: patent law changes become effective 1 June, 2021 – Patent Term Extensions and Patent Linkage systems established

On October 17th, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of the People’s Republic of China passed the 4th amendment with revisions to most recent draft for reform...

On October 17th, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of the People’s Republic of China passed the...

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18th Aug 2020

China Classification

Foreign brand owners can file trade mark applications in China as national applications or International Registrations (IRs) under the Madrid Protocol. There are pros and cons to each route and brand...

Foreign brand owners can file trade mark applications in China as national applications or International Registrations (IRs) under the Madrid...

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11th Aug 2020

Facebook loses “FACEBOOK” trade mark in China

On 20 March 2020, the China National Intellectual Property Administration (“CNIPA”) issued decisions to invalidate two of Facebook’s trade mark registrations in Class 42. This marks a huge setback...

On 20 March 2020, the China National Intellectual Property Administration (“CNIPA”) issued decisions to invalidate two of Facebook’s trade...

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6th Aug 2020

Another New Balance victory over New Barlun: a shot in the arm for foreign businesses

One month after the Beijing High Court handed down a landmark case which ruled in favor of New Balance over New Barlun, New Balance claimed another victory over New...

One month after the Beijing High Court handed down a landmark case which ruled in favor of New Balance...

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6th Aug 2020

China’s Supreme Court denies trade mark infringement claim based on reverse confusion against Michael Kors

The American fashion brand, Michael Kors, is not unknown in China. China, the second largest economy, is one of the fastest moving markets for fashion, with an increasingly ‘digital...

The American fashion brand, Michael Kors, is not unknown in China. China, the second largest economy, is one of...

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6th Aug 2020

Hong Kong trade mark law update

Implementation of the international registration system under Madrid Protocol The Trade Marks (Amendment) Ordinance 2020 (the Amendment Ordinance) was gazetted on 19 June 2020, providing a basis in Hong Kong...

Implementation of the international registration system under Madrid Protocol The Trade Marks (Amendment) Ordinance 2020 (the Amendment Ordinance) was gazetted...

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6th Aug 2020

Beijing High People’s Court rules “鹅厂” (‘Penguin Factory’) established connection with Tencent

On 18 May 2020, the Beijing High People’s Court, handed down its judgment on the administrative litigation concerning the invalidation filed by Tencent Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. against the...

On 18 May 2020, the Beijing High People’s Court, handed down its judgment on the administrative litigation concerning the...

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21st Jul 2020

China update: eagerly awaited new patent law amendment draft now available for discussion

Changes to the China patent law have been eagerly awaited following several announcements mentioning reform. An "Amendment to the Patent Law of the People's Republic of China (Second...

Changes to the China patent law have been eagerly awaited following several announcements mentioning reform. An "Amendment to...

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23rd Jun 2020

Spruson & Ferguson receives recognition from MIP IP Stars 2020 for Patents across the Asia-Pacific

We are pleased to announce that Spruson & Ferguson has received multiple recognition in the Managing IP rankings this year, including being named a top tier firm for Patent Prosecution...

We are pleased to announce that Spruson & Ferguson has received multiple recognition in the Managing IP rankings this year,...

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26th May 2020

Switching stances: China policies to focus strongly on patent quality

On March 5, the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) issued key points for its goals in 2020, which were reiterated in a recent May newsletter. One of the...

On March 5, the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) issued key points for its goals in 2020, which...

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