First-to-file jurisdiction
China is a first-to-file jurisdiction — and the moment you disclose your brand or technology, a determined third party can file first.
The wrong assumption: “We'll register trademarks after we set up.”
The original owner can then be treated as the infringer in its own brand. The cost of a squatting dispute is orders of magnitude higher than the cost of timely filing.
The right approach: File trademarks (including the Chinese-character transliteration your customers will actually use) and key patents before any substantive business discussions.
We work in English and Chinese, on your timeline. Initial consultations are confidential and without obligation.