INTA Delegation to China Supports Globalization of Chinese Brands

INTA CEO Etienne Sanz de Acedo recently led a delegation on a fruitful five-day visit to China. The trip marked significant strides in bolstering cooperation with the Chinese government, INTA members, and partner organizations in a joint effort to protect and advance intellectual property (IP) rights and the globalization of Chinese brands.

Fostering Global Expansion of Chinese Brands

Mr. Sanz de Acedo delivered a keynote speech at the Forum on Enterprise Trademark Brand Internationalization Strategy on March 25 in Shanghai, underscoring the increasing importance of brand building and IP protection in the globalization of Chinese brands. More than 100 brand owner representatives based in Shanghai’s Caohejing Hi-Tech Park gathered for an insightful discussion centering on how INTA can support brand owners’ ongoing efforts to go global.

Forging New Connections Through CCPIT Partnership

For the first time, INTA met with Chairman Ren Hongbin in Beijing and forged new connections with the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT). Constructive discussions set the stage for a more robust collaboration to support Chinese brands to go global and to raise awareness of international IP exchanges that fuel global trade.

Reaffirming a Strong Partnership Around Robust IP Protection with the Chinese Government

During meetings with the Shanghai High People’s Court and the Beijing IP Court, INTA reinforced its commitment to strong collaboration with the Chinese judiciary, which plays an increasingly important role in supporting a healthy business environment and affording equal protection to brand owners and consumers both in China and outside China.

Notably, the Shanghai High People’s Court has demonstrated resolve in advancing IP dispute resolution and international collaboration on IP jurisprudence, and in upholding the rigorous implementation of high awards for damages.

The Beijing IP Court, hearing the majority of administrative IP cases in China, takes a frontline role in facilitating the formality requirements and cracking down on bad-faith applications.

INTA also met with Deputy Commissioner Hu Wenhui of the China National IP Administration (CNIPA) in Beijing, reaffirming INTA’s close attention to recent amendments to the Chinese Trademark Law.

On the sidelines, INTA and the CNIPA cohosted a joint policy dialogue on INTA’s revised Trademark Examination Guidelines to delve into the pertinent issues involving consistency of trademark examination, absolute grounds examination, coexistence agreements, and afforded protections for nontraditional marks.

INTA CEO Hosts Town Hall at The LEGO Group and Pre–Annual Meeting Reception

Mr. Sanz de Acedo hosted a town hall at The LEGO Group and a pre–Annual Meeting reception at the Parkview Hotel in Shanghai. The town hall featured a lively and interactive discussion in which Mr. Sanz de Acedo shared highlights of the upcoming 2024 Annual Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, USA (May 18–22) and how brand professionals in China need to equip themselves for a more engaging dialogue and poised presence in the global arena.

INTA’s China Representative Office, based in Beijing, represents the Association’s members in China. Working in collaboration with staff at INTA’s headquarters in New York City, the China Representative Office leads the Association’s policy, membership, marketing, and communications initiatives in this jurisdiction. To learn more about INTA’s activities in China, please contact INTA China Representative Monica Su.

Although every effort has been made to verify the accuracy of this article, readers are urged to check independently on matters of specific concern or interest.

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