China Pat Intellectual Property Office

Firm overview:

China Pat Intellectual Property Office is a 500-strong firm with offices in Hong Kong, Xi’an, Changsha, Wuhan and Shenzhen, and advisory desks across the globe. The firm’s name signifies its original focus on patents, but it has expanded in line with the IP needs of its fast-growing domestic clients which have become increasingly global and diverse.

China Pat’s services now encompass trademarks and copyright, with a “hybrid” model that integrates prosecution and litigation, technical and legal expertise, and PRC and international coverage. Cross-training between departments ensures lawyers have a more holistic view of their clients’ requirements, and a deep understanding of the IP issues involved. Recognition of the calibre of its trademark practice has grown and in 2024 it was awarded the top ‘5A’ ranking by the China Trademark Association. China Pat focuses on quality rather than quantity of trademark filings, and it has handled numerous complex cases for large clients.

The firm has a roughly even split between contentious and non-contentious trademark work, which comes from a significant base of China based-clients as well as businesses based abroad. China Pat has an enviable track record of success in trademark registry proceedings, and handles a significant amount of litigation in the courts.

Team overview:

China Pat has a team of more than 20 trademark and copyright attorneys, with diverse backgrounds resulting in a mix of technical and legal specialists. The firm values reliability and responsibility as well as educational background, which has contributed to strong relationships with clients and high retention rates even through in-house counsel changes.

Partner Jane Li focuses her practice on matters relating to trademarks, unfair competition and domain names. Li has registered trademarks for numerous well-known Chinese and international companies in more than 100 countries, and is also skilled in handling disputes. In 2023, a trademark invalidation case managed by Li and her team was recognised as one of the Top 10 Trademark Litigation Cases of the year by the Beijing Trademark Association.

Managing partner Kelly Yao is a patent and trademark attorney, with over three decades of experience in IP. In addition to her IP practice, Yao oversees corporate strategy, department coordination, contract reviews and daily management at the firm.

Another key member of the trademark team is partner Jing Xie, who is responsible for devising brand development and protection strategies for clients, and guiding them through trademark and copyright disputes. Xie has handled over 1,000 non-litigation trademark cases such as registrations, reviews and objections, as well as administrative litigation cases, and trademark infringement disputes.

Key matters:

• Win in second-instance administrative case involving trademark cancellations

This year, CPA successfully represented a client in a second-instance administrative case involving disputes over a trademark cancellation decision. The team persuaded the second-instance court that the disputed trademark was not in effective use, resulting in the reversal of the first-instance judgment and cancellation of the mark.