Jincheng Tongda & Neal
Firm overview:
Established in 1992, Jincheng Tongda & Neal is among the largest full-service law firms in China, with offices in all the major economic hubs in the country as well as agencies in Tokyo and Singapore. The firm maintains relationships with law firms in over 180 countries and regions worldwide to serve an international clientele.
JT&N has a technology-focused intellectual property practice, which covers patents, trademarks and trade secrets. The firm secures trademark registrations for clients and advises on issues surrounding trademark licensing. It is particularly known for its litigation work, and has acted in many cases selected by the highest courts as noteworthy.
Team overview:
JT&N’s team consists of over 500 partners and more than 1,000 lawyers. Many have practising qualifications in multiple jurisdictions including the US, Canada, the UK, Australia, Singapore, and Hong Kong.
Key matters:
- Cantol: Trademark registration following eight-year dispute
In May 2024, JT&N secured two trademark registrations with the China Trademark Office (CTO) for Peruvian company Cantol, which makes lock and safety products, following an eight-year dispute.
The dispute began in 2007 when Chinese company JH Company was alleged to have engaged in trademark squatting by registering Cantol’s ‘Cantol’ trademarks. On behalf of Cantol, JT&N filed applications to cancel two marks registered by JH Company on the grounds they had been registered “by improper means”. The marks were successfully invalidated.
The team initiated invalidation proceedings against four similar trademarks registered by JH Company, which resulted in favourable rulings, and filed oppositions against six other marks that had been granted preliminary approval which were ultimately refused.
JT&N employed a strategy of “successive trademark filings” which allowed Cantol to claim priority over similar trademark applications filed by third parties, and in May 2024 the CTO approved Cantol’s registrations.
Senior partners Linyan (Maria) Ma and Guohua (Annie) Wu led the team for JT&N.
Clients:
Cantol
