Golden Gate Lawyers

Firm overview:

Beijing-based firm GoldenGate Lawyers offers advice in connection with commercial legal matters and IP protection, as well as disputes. The firm is particularly adept at managing complex commercial arbitration cases and IP infringement lawsuits.

GoldenGate is known for having a strong trademark practice. Services include advising on strategies for trademark protection, managing trademark portfolios, prosecution, and counsel on trademark-related issues in commercial transactions such as licensing and franchising.

The team also has significant experience in undertaking trademark opposition procedures, pursuing judicial review of administrative decisions, and enforcing trademark rights on behalf of clients.

Team overview:

Managing partner Tim Meng is known for his arbitration expertise, and has been frequently called upon to act as a judge in various Chinese and international simulated commercial arbitration competitions. Meng’s work highlights include representing Ritz-Carlton as a plaintiff in a trademark infringement case in Shanghai, which was recognised by the PRC Supreme Court as one of the top 10 IP court cases in 2008.

Founding partner Linda Zhao is an acclaimed trademark lawyer with numerous recognitions for her trademark and copyright work. Zhao has acted as chief outside counsel for large, listed companies, providing overall branding strategy, and represented numerous clients in well-known trademark recognition cases.

Another key member of the team is Bruce Fu, who focuses on all aspects of trademark proceedings including prosecution, oppositions, cancellations, refusal reviews, and invalidation actions. Fu has handled hundreds of trademark applications for well-known Chinese companies in more than 40 countries and regions.

He also has substantial expertise in enforcing trademark rights in China, and has represented clients that include a globally recognised luxury hotel brand, a US outdoor company, and a famous Japanese cartoon maker. In 2024, Fu was selected as a ‘Senior Expert’ by the China Trademark Association in its Trademark Talent Pool.

Key matters:

• Goodwood Estate: Trademark opposition case

GoldenGate Lawyers represented Goodwood Estate in opposing a trademark registration for ‘Good Wood’ filed by Daqing Lubricant Company.

The China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) ruled that Daqing had filed the trademark application without authorisation and infringed on a prior right held by Goodwood Estate. Registration of the mark was denied. The case was selected by the CNIPA as a 2024 “Model Intellectual Property Case”.

Clients:

Goodwood Estate