1. 商标必须向商标局申请注册吗？
商标并非必须向商标局申请注册，但法律、行政法规规定必须使用注册商标的商品，必须申请商标注册。经商标局核准注册的商标为注册商标，商标注册人享有商标专用权，受法律保护，根据《商标法》相关规定，自然人、法人或者其他组织在生产经营活动中，对其商品或者服务需要取得商标专用权的，应当向商标局申请商标注册；而非注册商标则无须向商标局申请注册，也不享有商标专用权。
2. 什么是商标注册优先权？如何主张商标注册优先权？
（1）《商标法》第二十五条规定，商标注册申请人自其商标在外国第一次提出商标注册申请之日起六个月内，又在中国就相同商品以同一商标提出商标注册申请的，依照该外国同中国签订的协议或者共同参加的国际条约，或者按照相互承认优先权的原则，可以享有优先权。依照前款要求优先权的，应当在提出商标注册申请的时候提出书面声明，并且在三个月内提交第一次提出的商标注册申请文件的副本；未提出书面声明或者逾期未提交商标注册申请文件副本的，视为未要求优先权。
（2）《商标法》第二十六条规定，商标在中国政府主办的或者承认的国际展览会展出的商品上首次使用的，自该商品展出之日起六个月内，该商标的注册申请人可以享有优先权。依照前款要求优先权的，应当在提出商标注册申请的时候提出书面声明，并且在三个月内提交展出其商品的展览会名称、在展出商品上使用该商标的证据、展出日期等证明文件；未提出书面声明或者逾期未提交证明文件的，视为未要求优先权。
3. 不在我国境内的外国人或外国企业如何在我国申请注册商标？
（1）《商标法》第十七条规定，外国人或者外国企业在中国申请商标注册的，应当按其所属国和中华人民共和国签订的协议或者共同参加的国际条约办理，或者按对等原则办理。《商标法》第十八条规定，外国人或者外国企业在中国申请商标注册和办理其他商标事宜的，应当委托依法设立的商标代理机构办理。
（2）商标法第二十一条规定的商标国际注册，是指根据《商标国际注册马德里协定》（以下简称马德里协定）、《商标国际注册马德里协定有关议定书》（以下简称马德里议定书）及《商标国际注册马德里协定及该协定有关议定书的共同实施细则》的规定办理的马德里商标国际注册。不在我国境内的外国人或外国企业也可通过商标国际注册指定中国的领土延伸以使得其商标获得在中国境内的商标专用权。
4. 什么情况下商标申请会被驳回？当商标申请被驳回后有哪些救济途径？
通常在以下情形下，商标注册申请可能会被驳回：
同他人在同一种商品或者类似商品上已经注册的或者初步审定的商标相同或者近似的；
不以使用为目的的恶意商标注册申请。
属于商标法规定的禁止使用的商标标志，例如：
（1） 同中华人民共和国的国家名称、国旗、国徽、国歌、军旗、军徽、军歌、勋章等相同或者近似的，以及同中央国家机关的名称、标志、所在地特定地点的名称或者标志性建筑物的名称、图形相同的；
（2） 同外国的国家名称、国旗、国徽、军旗等相同或者近似的，但经该国政府同意的除外；
（3） 同政府间国际组织的名称、旗帜、徽记等相同或者近似的，但经该组织同意或者不易误导公众的除外；
（4） 与表明实施控制、予以保证的官方标志、检验印记相同或者近似的，但经授权的除外；
（5） 同“红十字”、“红新月”的名称、标志相同或者近似的；
（6） 带有民族歧视性的；
（7） 带有欺骗性，容易使公众对商品的质量等特点或者产地产生误认的；
（8） 有害于社会主义道德风尚或者有其他不良影响的。县级以上行政区划的地名或者公众知晓的外国地名，不得作为商标。但是，地名具有其他含义或者作为集体商标、证明商标组成部分的除外。
属于商标法规定的禁止注册的商标标志，例如：
（1） 仅有本商品的通用名称、图形、型号的；
（2） 仅直接表示商品的质量、主要原料、功能、用途、重量、数量及其他特点的；
（3） 其他缺乏显著特征的。前款所列标志经过使用取得显著特征，并便于识别的，可以作为商标注册。
以三维标志申请注册商标的，仅由商品自身的性质产生的形状、为获得技术效果而需有的商品形状或者使商品具有实质性价值的形状，不得注册。
商标代理机构除对其代理服务申请商标注册外，不得申请注册其他商标。
当商标申请被驳回后，可以自收到通知之日起十五日内向商标评审委员会申请复审进行救济，对复审决定仍不服的还可以提起行政诉讼。也可以针对驳回原因，对商标标志进行更改重新提出注册申请。
5. 当发现他人申请注册的商标与自己的注册商标相同或近似，我们可以采取哪些途径阻止他人的商标注册申请？
当发现他人申请注册的商标与自己的注册商标相同或近似，根据不同情形可采取如下措施。
（1）对于处于审查中的商标申请，可进行监测；如其通过初审进入异议公告期，可以在公告期内向商标局提出异议；
（2）对于已经注册的商标，可以向请求商标评审委员会宣告该注册商标无效；
（3）对于已经注册满三年的商标，如调查后发现注册后连续三年未投入使用，可以向商标局撤销申请该注册商标。
6. 哪些情况下可以申请宣告他人已经注册的商标无效？
依据《商标法》的规定，在如下情形下，可以申请宣告他人已经注册的商标无效：
（1）违反《商标法》第四条的规定，属于不以使用为目的的恶意商标注册申请；
（2）违反《商标法》第十条的规定，属于禁止注册、或者禁止使用的商标标志；
（3）违反《商标法》第十一、十二条的规定，商标标识不具备显著性；
（4）违反《商标法》第四十四条的规定，以欺骗手段或者其他不正当手段取得注册的；
（5）违反《商标法》第十九条第四款的规定，商标代理机构除对其代理服务申请商标注册外，申请注册的其他商标；
（6）违反《商标法》第十三条第二、三款的规定，就相同或者类似商品申请注册的商标是复制、摹仿或者翻译他人未在中国注册的驰名商标，容易导致混淆的；就不相同或者不相类似商品申请注册的商标是复制、摹仿或者翻译他人已经在中国注册的驰名商标，误导公众，致使该驰名商标注册人的利益可能受到损害的；
（7）违反《商标法》第十五条的规定，经授权，代理人或者代表人以自己的名义将被代理人或者被代表人的商标进行注册的；就同一种商品或者类似商品申请注册的商标与他人在先使用的未注册商标相同或者近似，申请人与该他人具有前款规定以外的合同、业务往来关系或者其他关系而明知该他人商标存在的；
（8）违反《商标法》第十六条第一款的规定，商标中有商品的地理标志，而该商品并非来源于该标志所标示的地区，误导公众的（但是，已经善意取得注册的继续有效）；
（9）违反《商标法》第三十条的规定，申请注册的商标，不符合《商标法》有关规定或者同他人在同一种商品或者类似商品上已经注册的或者初步审定的商标相同或者近似的；
（10）违反《商标法》第三十一条，申请注册的商标晚于他人在同一种商品或者类似商品上的相同或者近似的商标申请的；或虽同一天申请，但使用在后的；
（11）违反《商标法》第三十二条的规定，申请商标注册损害他人现有的在先权利，或者以不正当手段抢先注册他人已经使用并有一定影响的商标的。
7. 如果有两个申请人向商标局在同一类别上申请同一个商标，应该如何处理？
根据《商标法》第三十一条的规定，两个或者两个以上的商标注册申请人，在同一种商品或者类似商品上，以相同或者近似的商标申请注册的，初步审定并公告申请在先的商标；同一天申请的，初步审定并公告使用在先的商标，驳回其他人的申请，不予公告。
根据《商标法实施条例》第十九条的规定，两个或者两个以上的申请人，在同一种商品或者类似商品上，分别以相同或者近似的商标在同一天申请注册的，各申请人应当自收到商标局通知之日起30日内提交其申请注册前在先使用该商标的证据。同日使用或者均未使用的，各申请人可以自收到商标局通知之日起30日内自行协商，并将书面协议报送商标局；不愿协商或者协商不成的，商标局通知各申请人以抽签的方式确定一个申请人，驳回其他人的注册申请。商标局已经通知但申请人未参加抽签的，视为放弃申请，商标局应当书面通知未参加抽签的申请人。
简而言之，若不考虑在先障碍商标及其他因素，当两个申请人向商标局在同一类别上申请同一个商标时，申请在先的申请人将获得核准注册，申请在后的将被驳回；若申请日相同的，使用在先的申请人将获得核准注册，使用在后的将被驳回；若都未使用的，两个申请人将在商标局的主导下抽签决定谁是在先申请人。
8. 我应当向哪一个机构申请著作权登记？
（1）中国版权保护中心
中国版权保护中心是我国唯一的综合性的国家级版权公共服务机构，负责国内，港、澳、台地区及海外作品著作权登记。
因此，全国各省、直辖市、自治区及国外的作者或其他著作权人均可到中国版权保护中心申请作品著作权登记。
（2）各省、直辖市、自治区版权局或新闻出版局
根据国家版权局发布的《作品自愿登记试行办法》第3条规定，各省、自治区、直辖市版权局负责本辖区的作者或其他著作权人的作品登记工作。
因此，若您是中国大陆的企业或个人，除可以向中国版权保护中心申请登记以外，您还可以向您所在省、自治区、直辖市的版权局或新闻出版局申请著作权登记。若您是外国的企业或个人，您可以向中国版权保护中心申请登记。
9. 哪些作品可以申请著作权登记？
根据我国《著作权法》第3条及《著作权法实施条例》第4条的规定，下列作品可以申请著作权登记：
(1)文字作品，是指小说、诗词、散文、论文等以文字形式表现的作品；
(2)口述作品，是指即兴的演说、授课、法庭辩论等以口头语言形式表现的作品；
(3)音乐作品，是指歌曲、交响乐等能够演唱或者演奏的带词或者不带词的作品；
(4)戏剧作品，是指话剧、歌剧、地方戏等供舞台演出的作品；
(5)曲艺作品，是指相声、快书、大鼓、评书等以说唱为主要形式表演的作品；
(6)舞蹈作品，是指通过连续的动作、姿势、表情等表现思想、情感的作品；
(7)杂技艺术作品，是指杂技、魔术、马戏等通过形体动作和技巧表现的作品；
(8)美术作品，是指绘画、书法、雕塑等以线条、色彩或者其他方式构成的有审美意义的平面或者立体的造型艺术作品；
(9)建筑作品，是指以建筑物或者构筑物形式表现的有审美意义的作品；
(10)摄影作品，是指借助器械在感光材料或者其他介质上记录客观物体形象的艺术作品；
(11)电影作品和以类似摄制电影的方法创作的作品，是指摄制在一定介质上，由一系列有伴音或者无伴音的画面组成，并且借助适当装置放映或者以其他方式传播的作品；
(12)图形作品，是指为施工、生产绘制的工程设计图、产品设计图，以及反映地理现象、说明事物原理或者结构的地图、示意图等作品；
(13)模型作品，是指为展示、试验或者观测等用途，根据物体的形状和结构，按照一定比例制成的立体作品；
（14）计算机软件。
我们提醒您注意，每个登记机关能够登记的作品类型会略有差异，中国版权保护中心登记的作品类型是最全面的，比如计算机软件，权利人只能向中国版权保护中心申请登记。
但是，有些作品不可以申请著作权登记，比如：
(1)不受著作权法保护的作品；
(2) 超过著作权保护期限的作品；
(3)依法禁止出版、传播的作品。
10.申请著作权登记需要提交哪些材料？是什么流程？
除计算机软件作品外，申请作品著作权登记需要提交的材料：
（1）作品著作权登记申请表；
（2）申请人身份证明文件：
（3）权利归属证明文件；
（4）作品的样本；
（5）作品说明书。
申请计算机软件著作权登记需要提交以下材料：
（1）软件著作权登记申请表；
（2）软件的鉴别材料。
软件的鉴别材料包括程序和文档的鉴别材料。程序和文档的鉴别材料应当由源程序和任何一种文档前、后各连续30页组成。整个程序和文档不到60页的，应当提交整个源程序和文档。除特定情况外，程序每页不少于50行，文档每页不少于30行。
（3）相关的证明文件。
证明文件包括：
（1）自然人、法人或者其他组织的身份证明；
（2）有著作权归属书面合同或者项目任务书的，应当提交合同或者项目任务书；
（3）经原软件著作权人许可，在原有软件上开发的软件，应当提交原著作权人的许可证明；
（4）权利继承人、受让人或者承受人，提交权利继承、受让或者承受的证明。
著作权登记，申请审批流程分为受理、审查、登记三个阶段。
11.申请专利应当提交哪些文件？是什么流程？
申请专利应当提交的文件：
（1）申请发明专利的，申请文件应当包括：发明专利请求书、说明书摘要（必要时应当提交摘要附图）、权利要求书、说明书（必要时应当提交说明书附图）。
涉及氨基酸或者核苷酸序列的发明专利申请，说明书中应当包括该序列表，把该序列表作为说明书的一个单独部分提交，并单独编写页码，同时还应提交符合规定的记载有该序列表的计算机可读形式的副本。
依赖遗传资源完成的发明创造申请专利的，申请人应当在请求书中对遗传资源的来源予以说明，并填写遗传资源来源披露登记表，写明该遗传资源的直接来源和原始来源。申请人无法说明原始来源的，应当陈述理由。
（2）申请实用新型专利的，申请文件应当包括：实用新型专利请求书、说明书摘要及其摘要附图、权利要求书、说明书、说明书附图。
（3）申请外观设计专利的，申请文件应当包括：外观设计专利请求书、图片或者照片（要求保护色彩的，应当提交彩色图片或者照片）以及对该外观设计的简要说明。
（4）申请人委托专利代理机构向专利局申请专利和办理其他专利事务的，应当提交委托书。
12.申请商标应当提交哪些文件？是什么流程？
（1）国内自然人
国内自然人自行办理商标注册申请时应当提交以下文件：按照规定填写打印的《商标注册申请书》并由申请人签字、商标图样、个体工商户营业执照复印件、身份证复印件。
农村承包经营户可以以其承包合同签约人的名义提出商标注册申请，商品和服务范围以其自营的农副产品为限，申请时应提交承包合同复印件。
委托商标代理机构办理的，申请人还应提交委托商标代理机构办理商标注册事宜的授权委托书。
（2）国内法人或者其他组织
国内法人或者其他组织自行办理商标注册申请时应当提交以下文件：按照规定填写打印的《商标注册申请书》并加盖申请人公章、商标图样、身份证明文件复印件。
申请人为国内法人或其他组织的，应当使用标注统一社会信用代码的身份证明文件。企业一般应提交营业执照，非企业可以提交《事业单位法人证书》《社会团体法人登记证书》《民办非企业单位登记证书》《基金会法人登记证书》《律师事务所执业许可证》等身份证明文件。期刊证、办学许可证、卫生许可证等不能作为申请人身份证明文件。
委托商标代理机构办理的，申请人还应提交委托商标代理机构办理商标注册事宜的授权委托书。
（3）外国人
外国人办理商标申请事宜应委托依法设立的商标代理机构办理，在中国有经常居所的外国人可以自行办理。自行办理商标注册申请应提交以下文件：按照规定填写打印的《商标注册申请书》并由申请人签字、商标图样、申请人的身份证明文件复印件、公安部门颁发的《外国人永久居留证》或有效期一年以上《外国人居留许可》的复印件。
委托商标代理机构办理的，申请人还应提交委托商标代理机构办理商标注册事宜的授权委托书。
（4）外国公司
在中国没有营业所的外国公司在中国申请商标注册和办理其他商标事宜的，应当委托依法设立的商标代理机构办理，并提交以下文件：委托商标代理机构办理商标注册事宜的授权委托书、按照规定填写打印的《商标注册申请书》并加盖申请人公章、商标图样、本国有关的登记证件及其他证明文件。
外国公司在中国依法设立的独资分公司为中国公司，并非其在中国的营业所。
（5）港澳台居民
港澳台居民办理商标申请事宜应委托依法设立的商标代理机构办理，持有在有效期（一年以上）内的《港澳居民来往内地通行证》《台湾居民来往大陆通行证》或《港澳台居民居住证》的港澳台居民可以自行办理。办理商标注册申请应提交以下文件：按照规定填写打印的《商标注册申请书》并由申请人签字、商标图样、申请人的身份证明文件复印件、通行证或居住证复印件。
委托商标代理机构办理的，申请人还应提交委托商标代理机构办理商标注册事宜的授权委托书。
（6）港澳台公司
在大陆没有营业所的香港、澳门和台湾地区的公司在大陆申请商标注册和办理其他商标事宜的，应当委托依法设立的商标代理机构办理，并提交以下文件：委托商标代理机构办理商标注册事宜的授权委托书、按照规定填写打印的《商标注册申请书》并加盖申请人公章、商标图样、主体资格及其他证明文件。
香港、澳门和台湾地区公司在大陆依法设立的独资分公司为大陆公司，并非其在大陆的营业所。
13.不在我国境内的外国人或外国企业在我国如何申请专利？
（1）向中国国家知识产权局申请
不在中国境内的外国人或外国企业，符合下列三种情况之一的，可以根据中国《专利法》申请专利：
A. 申请人所属国同我国签订有相互给予对方国民以专利保护的协议；
B. 申请人所属国是《保护工业产权巴黎公约》成员国或者世界贸易组织成员；
C. 申请人所属国依互惠原则给外国人以专利保护。
在中国没有经常居所或者营业所的外国人、外国企业或者外国其他组织在中国申请专利和办理其他专利事务的，应当委托依法设立的专利代理机构办理。
（2）PCT国际申请
PCT，即《专利合作条约》（PATENTCOOPERATION TREATY），是在专利领域进行合作的国际性条约，在申请人就同一发明创造向多个国家或地区申请专利时，可以减少申请人和各个专利局的重复劳动。《专利合作条约》于1970年6月在华盛顿签订，1978年1月生效，同年6月实施，只对巴黎公约成员国开放。中国于1994年1月1日加入PCT，中国国家知识产权局同时作为受理局、国际检索单位和国际初步审查单位。
PCT国际申请包括国际阶段和国家阶段，前者包括提出国际申请、国际检索、国际公布和国际初步审查，后者为指定国家的专利审查程序。
向受理局提出PCT国际申请并指定希望获得中国的发明专利或者实用新型专利保护的，在完成国际阶段的程序后，应当向中国国家知识产权局专利局办理进入中国国家阶段的手续，从而启动国家阶段的程序。国家阶段程序包括：在专利合作条约允许的限度内进行的初步审查、国家公布，参考国际检索和国际初步审查结果进行的实质审查、授权或驳回，以及可能发生的其他程序。
14.如何确定专利申请日？
国务院专利行政部门收到专利申请文件之日为申请日。如果申请文件是邮寄的，以寄出的邮戳日为申请日。
照专利合作条约已确定国际申请日并指定中国的国际申请，视为向国务院专利行政部门提出的专利申请，该国际申请日视为在中国的申请日。
1. Must a trademark be registered with the Trademark Office?
A trademark is not necessarily required to be registered with theTrademark Office, but for a commodity required to bear a registered trademarkby laws and administrative regulations, trademark registration must be appliedfor. Trademarks registered upon verification and approval of the TrademarkOffice are registered trademarks. A trademark registrant shall be entitled tothe exclusive right to use the registered trademark, and such right shall beprotected by law. In accordance with relevant provisions of the Trademark Law,any natural person, legal person or other organization that needs to obtain theexclusive right to use a trademark for its goods or services during productionand business operations shall apply for trademark registration with theTrademark Office; a non-registered trademark does not have to be registeredwith the Trademark Office, and no exclusive right is enjoyed to use thetrademark.
2. What is the priority right of trademark registration?How can the priority right of trademark registration be claimed?
(1) Asstated in Article 25 of the Trademark Law, if an applicant applies, withinsix months of the date of the applicant’s first application for registration ofits trademark in a foreign country, for registration in China of the sametrademark to be used on the same goods, the applicant may be entitled to thepriority right pursuant to an agreement entered into between the foreigncountry and China, or an international treaty to which both countries haveacceded, or in accordance with the principle of mutual recognition of priorityright. In claiming a priority right according to provisions of the precedingparagraph, the applicant shall declare the claim in writing when filing thetrademark registration application and shall submit, within three months, a duplicatecopy of the application documents that were submitted in its first applicationfor registration of the trademark. Failure to make the written declaration orto submit, within the time limit, a duplicate copy of the application documentsfor registration of the trademark shall be deemed as failure to claim thepriority right.
(2) As stated in Article 26 ofthe Trademark Law, where a trademark is first used at an internationalexhibition sponsored or recognized by the Chinese government, the applicant forthe registration of that trademark may be entitled to the priority right withinsix months of the date of exhibition of the goods. To claim a priority rightpursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the claimant shall makea written declaration when the application for trademark registration is filed,and shall submit, within three months, the supporting documents showing thename of the exhibition where the claimant’s goods were exhibited, evidencingthe use of the trademark on the exhibited goods, and indicating the date ofexhibition, etc. Failure to submit the written declaration or to submit thesupporting documents within the time limit shall be deemed as failure to claimthe priority right.
3. How can a foreigner or foreign enterprise outside the territory of Chinaapply for trademark registration in China?
(1) As set out in Article 17of the Trademark Law, any foreigner or foreign enterprise applying fortrademark registration in China shall handle the relevant procedures inaccordance with the agreements entered into between the applicant’s country andthe People’s Republic of China or international treaties to which bothcountries have acceded, or in accordance with the principle of reciprocity. Asset forth in Article 18 of the Trademark Law, a foreign individual orenterprise shall entrust a duly established trademark agency to act as itsagent for applying for trademark registration and handling othertrademark-related matters in China.
(2)International trademark registration under Article 21 of the Trademark Lawrefers to such international trademark registration asapplied for in Madrid in accordance with the Madrid Agreement ConcerningInternational Registration of Marks (“Madrid Agreement”), the Protocol Relating to the Madrid Agreement ConcerningInternational Registration of Marks (“Madrid Protocol”) and the Regulations forthe Implementation of the Madrid Agreement Concerning InternationalRegistration of Marks and the Protocol Relating Thereto. Foreigners or foreignenterprises outside the territory of China may also designate the prolongationof the territory of China through international registration of trademarks, sothat they can gain the exclusive right to use their trademarks in the territoryof China.
4. Under what circumstances will trademark registration applications berejected? What remedies can be sought after a trademarkregistration application is rejected?
As a rule, an application forthe registration of a trademark maybe rejected, if:
The trademark is identicalor similar to another person’s trademark that has been registered orpreliminarily approved for use on the same or similar goods;
The application is made in badfaith and not for the purpose of use.
The sign of the trademark isone that shall not be used under the Trademark Law, such as:
(1) Those identical with or similar to the state name, national flag, nationalemblem, national anthem, military flag, army emblem, army songs or medals ofthe People’s Republic of China; and those identical with the names or central state organs, the names of the specific locationsthat are the domiciles of the Central State organs, or the names or designs oflandmark buildings;
(2) Those identical or similar to the State names, national flags, nationalemblems or military flags of any foreign countries, except with the consent ofthe governments of such countries;
(3) Those identical or similar to the names, flags or emblems of internationalinter-governmental organizations, except with the consent of the organizationsconcerned or except where the likelihood of misleading the public is slim;
(4) Those identical or similar to official signs or hallmarks indicatingcontrol or warranty, except as otherwise authorized;
(5) Those identical or similar to the name or sign or mark representing “RedCross” or “Red Crescent”;
(6) Those with a nature of national discrimination;
(7) Those that are deceptive and are likely to cause public confusion in termsof the quality and other characteristics or place of production of relevantgoods; and
(8) Those detrimental to socialist morality and custom or having other illeffects. Names of administrative divisions at or above the country level andforeign place names that are known to the public shall not be used astrademarks, unless any such name has other meanings or is an integral part of acollective or certification mark.
The trademark is a sign thatshall not be registered as trademark under the Trademark Law, such as:
(1) Those consisting only of generic names, devices, or model numbers of thegoods concerned;
(2) Those consisting only of a direct representation of the quality, primaryraw materials, functions, intended purposes, weight, quantity, or othercharacteristics of the goods concerned;
(3) Those otherwise lacking distinctive features. Thesigns mentioned in the preceding paragraph may be registered as trademark afterthey have acquired distinctiveness and become easily distinguishable throughuse.
With respect to athree-dimensional mark as the subject matter under a trademark registrationapplication, registration of that mark shall be prohibited if its shape onlyrepresents the nature of the product, or its shape is required for achieving atechnological result, or its shape adds substantial value to the product.
A trademark agency shallnot apply for registration of trademarks other than the trademark for itsagency services.
Where a trademark registrationapplication is rejected, the trademark registration applicant may apply forreview to the Trademark Review and Adjudication Boardwithin 15 days upon receipt of the notice, may file an administrative suit ifrefuses to accept the review decision as final, and may also adjust thetrademark sign to the reasons for the rejection and reapply for theregistration thereof.
5. How can we, if find the trademarks of which others apply for registrationare identical or similar to our registered trademarks, prevent them from makingsuch applications?
We, if find the trademarks of which others applyfor registration are identical or similar to our registered trademarks, cantake the following measures as the case may be:
(1) For a trademarkregistration application under review, we can monitor it; if it has passed thefirst review and is in the objection announcement period,we can raise an objection to the Trademark Office in the period;
(2) For a registeredtrademark, we can request the Trademark Review and Adjudication Board todeclare the registered trademark invalid; or
(3) For a trademark that havebeen registered for three years, we, if find upon investigation that thetrademark hasn’t been in use for three consecutive years after itsregistration, can apply to the Trademark Office for cancellation of theregistered trademark.
6. Under what circumstances can declaring a registered trademarkof another person invalid beapplied for?
As stated in the TrademarkLaw, declaring a registered trademark of another personinvalid may be applied for, under the following circumstances:
(1) In violation of Article 4of the Trademark Law, the application for registration of the trademark is madein bad faith and not for the purpose of use.
(2) The sign of the trademarkshall not be registered or used under Article 10 of the Trademark Law;
In violation of Articles 11and 12 of the Trademark Law, the sign of the trademark has no distinctivefeatures;
(4) In violation of Article 44of the Trademark Law, registration of the trademark is obtained by deceptive orother improper means;
(5) In violation of Article19.4 of the Trademark Law, registration of the trademark is applied for by atrademark agency other than for its trademark registration application agencyservice;
(6) In violation of Articles13.2 and 13.3 of the Trademark Law, the trademark is a reproduction, imitation,or translation of another person’s well-known trademark not registered in Chinaon the same or similar goods, and consequentially is likely to createconfusion, or is a reproduction, imitation; the trademark is a translation ofanother person’s well-known trademark registered in China on different ordissimilar goods, consequentially misleading the public and causing damage tothe interests of the registrant for the well-known trademark;
(7) Inviolation of Article 15 of the Trademark Law, the trademark is a trademarkof one of the principals of an agent or representative and registered by theagent or representative in its own name with authorization; the trademark, ofwhich registration is applied for on the same or similar goods, is identical orsimilar to an unregistered trademark already used by another person, and theapplicant clearly knows the existence of the trademark of such another persondue to contractual, business or other relationships with the latter other thanthose prescribed in the preceding paragraph;
(8) In violation of Article 16.1of the Trademark Law, the trademark contains a geographical indication ofgoods, and the goods are not from the region indicated therein, thus misleadingthe public (however, registrations obtained in a bona fide manner shall remainvalid);
(9) In violation of Article 30of the Trademark Law, the trademark for which aregistration application is filed fails to comply with the relevantprovisions of the Law or is identical or similar to another person’s trademarkthat has been registered or preliminarily approved for use on the same orsimilar goods;
(10) In violation of Article31 of the Trademark Law, the application for registration of the trademarkunder registration application is filed later than another person’s applicationfor registration of the same or a similar trademark for use on the same orsimilar goods; if the applications are filed on the same day, the trademark isused later;
(11) In violation of Article32 of the Trademark Law, the application for registration of the trademarkprejudices any pre-existing right of others, or the trademark, of whichregistration is forestalled through any improper means, is already used byanother person and has produced a certain influence.
7. If two applicants apply to the Trademark Office for the registration of asame trademark in a same class, what should be done with it?
As provided in Article 31 ofthe Trademark Law, if two or more applicants apply for registration of the sametrademark or a similar trademark for use on the same or similar goods, thetrademark application that is filed first shall be preliminarily approved,accompanied by a publication thereon. If the applications are filed on the sameday, the trademark that is used first shall be preliminarily approved,accompanied by a publication thereon, and the application(s) of the otherapplicant(s) shall be rejected and no publication shall be made.
As stipulated in Article19 of the Regulations for the Implementation of the Trademark Law, where two ormore applicants respectively apply for the registration of identical or similartrademarks used on the identical or similar goods on the same day, eachapplicant shall, within thirty days from the date of receipt of thenotification of the Trademark Office, submit a proof of its prior use of themark in respect of which it has applied for the registration. Where theapplicants used the mark for the first time on the same day or where none ofthem has used the mark, they shall try to resolve the matter throughconsultation, and submit a written agreement to the Trademark Office withinthirty days from the date of receipt of the notification from the TrademarkOffice; where the applicant are reluctant to resolve the matter throughconsultation or an agreement is not reached, the Trademark Office shall notifythe applicants that one applicant will be singled out by lot, and reject theregistration applications filed by the other applicants. Where the TrademarkOffice notified an applicant, but the applicant does not show up and draw itslot, its application shall be deemed to have been abandoned, and the TrademarkOffice shall notify in writing the applicant who has failed to show up and drawits lot.
In short, irrespective ofprior obstacle trademarks and others, when two applicants apply to the TrademarkOffice for the registration of a same trademark in a same class, the registration application of the prior applicant will beapproved, while the registration application of the later applicant will berejected; if the applications are filed on the same day, the registrationapplication of the applicant first using the trademark will be approved, whilethe registration application of the applicant using the trademark later will berejected; if neither of the applicants have used the trademark, the priorapplicant will be determined by drawing lots under the auspices of theTrademark Office.
8. Which institution should I apply to for copyright registration?
(1) Copyright ProtectionCenter of China (CPCC)
The CPCC is the onlyintegrated national copyright public service institution in China responsiblefor copyright registration of works from China’s mainland,Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, and overseas.
Accordingly, authors or othercopyright owners in all provinces, municipalities andautonomous regions of China and overseas can apply to the CPCC forcopyright registration of their works.
(2) Copyright Office orAdministration of Press and Publication of each province, municipality orautonomous region of China
As stipulated in Article 3 ofthe Proposed Regulations for Voluntary Registration of Works issued by theNational Copyright Administration of the People’s Republic of China, theCopyright Office or Administration of Press and Publication of each province,municipality or autonomous region of China shall be responsible forregistration of works of authors or other copyright owners in its own jurisdiction.
Accordingly, if you are anenterprise or individual in China’s mainland, you can apply for copyrightregistration to the CPCC or the Copyright Office or Administrations of Pressand Publication of the province, municipality or autonomous region where youare; if you are a foreign enterprise or individual, you can apply for copyrightregistration to the CPCC.
9. What are the works of which copyright registration may be applied for?
As per Article 3 of theCopyright Law and Article 4 of the Regulations for the Implementation of theCopyright Law of China, copyright registration of the following works may beapplied for:
(1) Written works refer toworks expressed in written form, such as novels, poems, essays and theses;
(2) Oral works refer to worksexpressed in form of spoken language, such as impromptu speeches, lectures andcourt debates;
(3) Musical works refer tosuch works as songs and symphonic works, with or without accompanying words,which can be sung or performed;
(4) Dramatic works refer tosuch works as dramas, operas and local traditional operas for stageperformance;
(5) Qu yi works refer to suchworks as xiang sheng (cross talk), kuai shu (clapper talk), da gu (balladsinging with drum accompaniment) and ping shu (story telling based on novels),which are mainly performed by recitation or singing, or by both;
(6) Choreographic works referto works in which ideas and feelings are or can be expressed through successivebody movements, gestures, facial movements, etc;
(7) Acrobatic works refer toworks expressed through body movements and skills, such as acrobatics, magicand circus;
(8) Works of fine arts referto two- or three-dimensional works of the plastic arts created in lines, colorsor other media which impart aesthetic effect, such as paintings, works ofcalligraphy and sculptures;
(9) Works of architecturerefer to works with aesthetic effect which are expressed in form of buildingsor structures;
(10) Photographic works referto artistic works created by recording images of objects on light-sensitive orother materials with the aid of devices;
(11) Cinematographic works andworks created by a process analogous to cinematography refer to works which arerecorded on some material, consisting of a series of images, with or withoutaccompanying sound, and which can be projected with the aid of suitable devicesor communicated by other means;
(12) Graphic works refer tosuch works as drawings of engineering designs and product designs for thepurpose of actual construction and manufacturing, and as maps and sketchesshowing geographical phenomena and demonstrating the fundamentals or thestructure of a thing or an object;
(13) Model works refer tothree-dimensional works made on the basis of the shape and structure of anobject to a certain scale, for the purpose of display, test, observation orothers; and
(14) Computer software.
Please note that there isslight difference in the types of works that each registration authority canregister, and the types of works that the CPCC can register are the mostcomprehensive. Take computer software for example, copyright owners can applyfor registration thereof only to the CPCC .
However, copyrightregistration of some works may not be applied for, such as:
(1) Works that are not protected by the Copyright Law;
(2) Works for which the term ofcopyright protection has expired; and
(3) Works that shall not bepublished or disseminated according to law.
10. What materials are required to be submitted toapply for copyright registration? What is the process?
Materials required to besubmitted to apply for copyright registration of works except computersoftware:
(1) Formof application for copyright registration of works;
(2) Identity documents ofapplicant;
(3) Right ownershipcertification documents;
(4) Samples of works; and
(5) Description of works.
Materials required to besubmitted to apply for copyright registration of computer software:
(1) Form of application forcopyright registration of computer software;
(2) Softwareidentification materials;
Software identificationmaterials include program and document identification materials, which shall becomposed of the first and last consecutive 30 pages of both the source programand any kind of document. The program or document that consists of no more than60 pages shall be submitted in its entirety. Except in exceptional circumstances,there shall be no less than 50 lines on each page of the program, and no lessthan 30 lines on each page of a document.
(3) Relevant certificationdocuments.
Certification documentsinclude:
(1) Identity documents ofnatural person, legal person or other organizations;
(2) Written contracts forcopyright ownership or project task statements (if any);
(3) Certification forlicensing of the copyright owner of the originalsoftware (for software (if any) developed based on the original software withthe licensing of the copyright owner thereof); and
(4) Certification for rightinheritance, transfer or succession (for right inheritor, transferee orsuccessor (if any)).
Copyright registration application approval processconsists of three stages: acceptance, review and registration.
11. What documents shall besubmitted for patent application? What is the process?
Documents that shall be submitted for patentapplication:
(1) For invention patent application, application documentsshall include a written invention patent request, a written description (when necessary, pictures shall be attached thereto) andthe abstract thereof (when necessary, pictures shall be attached thereto), anda written claim.
For invention patentapplication involving amino acid or nucleotide sequence, the description shallinclude the sequence table, which shall be submitted as a separate part of thedescription and separately paginated, and a required machine-readable form ofcopy recording the sequence table shall also be submitted.
With regard to aninvention-creation accomplished by relying on genetic resources, the applicantshall describe the the source of the genetic resources in the written request,and fill in the form of registration of disclosure of source of geneticresources, indicating the direct and original source ofthe genetic resources. The applicant, if can not indicate the originalsource, shall state the reasons therefor.
(2) For utility model patentapplication, application documents shall include a written utility model patentrequest, a written description and pictures attached thereto, the abstract ofthe written description and pictures attached thereto, and a written claim.
(3) For design patentapplication, application documents shall include a written request, pictures orphotos (which shall be color ones, if the protection of color is requested),and a brief description of the design patent.
(4) If the applicantappoints a patent agency to apply to the Patent Office for patent and deal withother patent matters, the letter of appointment shall be submitted.
12. What documents shall be submitted for trademarkapplication? What is the process?
(1) Chinese natural person
A natural person in China, when applies fortrademark registration, shall submit the following documents: the Trademark Registration Application completed and printedas required and signed by the applicant, specimen trademark, the photocopy ofindividual business license, and the photocopy of ID card.
A lease-holding farm household may make a trademarkregistration application in the name of contracting parties to its contracts,goods and services are limited to its self-operated agricultural and sidelineproducts, and photocopies of contractsshall be submitted upon application.
The applicant, if appoints a trademark agency todeal with trademark registration for it, shall submit the agency's power ofattorney therefor.
(2) Chinese legal person or other organization
A legal person or other organization in China, whenapplies for trademark registration by itself, shall submit the followingdocuments: the Trademark Registration Applicationcompleted and printed as required and bearing the official seal of theapplicant, specimen trademark, photocopies of identity documents.
The applicant that is a legal person or otherorganization in China shall use an identity document indicating its unifiedsocial credit code. An enterprise generally shall submit its business license,while a non-enterprise unit may submit its Public Institution Legal PersonCertificate, Social Organization Legal Person Registration Certificate, PrivateNon-enterprise Unit Registration Certificate, Foundation Legal PersonRegistration Certificate, Law Firm Practicing License and other identitydocuments. The periodical license, license for running a school, health licenseor others may not be used as the applicant’s identity document.
The applicant, if appoints a trademark agency todeal with trademark registration for it, shall submit the agency's power ofattorney therefor.
(3) Foreigner
A foreigner shall appoint a legally establishedtrademark agency to deal with trademark registration application in China for it,while a foreigner with habitual residences in China maydeal with the same by itself, in which case the following documents shallbe submitted: the Trademark Registration Application completed and printed asrequired and signed by the applicant, specimen trademark, photocopies ofidentity documents of the applicant, the photocopy of such Foreign PermanentResident ID Card or Foreigner’s Residence Permit valid for more than one yearas issued by the public security authorities of China.
The applicant, if appoints a trademark agency todeal with trademark registration for it, shall submit the agency's power ofattorney therefor.
(4) Foreign company
A foreign company without place of business inChina shall appoint a legally established trademark agency to deal withtrademark registration application and other trademark matters in China for it,and submit the following documents: the power of attorney for appointing atrademark agency to handle trademark registration matters, the TrademarkRegistration Application completed and printed as required and bearing theofficial seal of the applicant, specimen trademark, registration certificatesrelated to the applicant’s home country and other certification documents.
The solely-invested branch legally established by aforeign company in China is a Chinese company and not its place of business inChina.
(5) Hong Kong, Macao or Taiwan resident
A Hong Kong, Macao or Taiwan Resident shall appointa legally established trademark agency to deal with trademark registrationapplication in China’s mainland for it, while a Hong Kong, Macao or TaiwanResident with a Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents,Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents or Residence Permit for Hong Kong,Macao or Taiwan Residents that is valid (for more than one year) may deal withthe same by itself, in which case the following documents shall be submitted:the Trademark Registration Application completed and printed as required andsigned by the applicant, specimen trademark, photocopies of identity documentsof the applicant, the photocopy of the travel or residence permit.
The applicant, if appoints a trademark agency todeal with trademark registration for it, shall submit the agency's power ofattorney therefor.
(6) Hong Kong, Macao or Taiwan company
A Hong Kong, Macao or Taiwan company without placeof business in China’s mainland shall appoint a legally established trademarkagency to deal with trademark registration application and other trademarkmatters in China for it, and submit the following documents: the power ofattorney for appointing a trademark agency to handle trademark registrationmatters, the Trademark Registration Application completed and printed asrequired and bearing the official seal of the applicant, specimen trademark,subject qualification and other certification documents.
The solely-invested branch legally established by aHong Kong, Macao or Taiwan company in China’s mainland is a company of China’smainland and not its place of business in China’s mainland.
13. How can the foreigners or foreign enterprises notwithin the territory of China apply for a patent in China?
(1)Apply with the StateIntellectual Property Office
The foreigners or foreignenterprises not within the territory of China may apply for a patent accordingto the Patent Law of China, subject to one of the following three cases.
A. The countryto which the applicant belongs signs an agreement with China regardingproviding patent protection for the citizens of the other country mutually;
B. The countryto which the applicant belongs is a member of the Paris Convention for theProtection of Industrial Property or a member of the World Trade Organization;
C. The countryto which the applicant belongs will provide the foreigners with patentprotection on the principle of reciprocity.
If a foreigner, a foreignenterprise or other foreign organization without a regular residence or businesssite in China intends to apply for a patent for handler other patent-relatedmatters in China, he or it shall entrust a legally established patent agencywith the application and such matters.
(2)PCT internationalapplication
PCT, short for the PATENTCOOPERATION TREATY, is an international treaty regarding cooperation in thepatent area, according to which rehandling duplication of labor can be reducedfor the applicant and the patent offices, when the applicant applies for apatent in multiple nations or regions with respect to the same invention. ThePatent Cooperation Treaty was entered into in June 1970 in Washington, tookeffect in January 1978, and was implemented in June of 1978, which is open tothe members of the Paris Convention only. China joined in PCT on January 1,1994, with the State Intellectual Property Office acting as the receivingoffice, the international search unit and the international preliminaryexamination unit at the same time.
PCT internationalapplication includes the international stage and the national stage. The formerincludes international application, international search, internationalpublication and international preliminary examination, while the latter refersto the patent examination procedure of a specific nation.
Where the applicantraises PCT international application with the receiving office and specifiesits hope of getting protection for the invention patent or the utility modelinvention of China, it shall, upon completion of procedures of the internationalstage, go through the formalities of entering into national stage of China withthe patent office of the State Intellectual Property Office, so as to launchthe procedure of the national stage. The procedure of the national stageincludes preliminary examination conducted within the permissible limit of thePatent Cooperation Treaty, national publication, substantive examination,authorization or rejection with reference to results of international searchand international preliminary examination, and other possible procedures.
14. How to determine the date of patent application?
The date when the patentadministration department under the State Council receives the patentapplication documents is the date of application. If the application documentsare delivered by post, the date of postmark is the date of application.
As to the internationalapplication whose date of international application is determined and China isthe specific nation pursuant to the Patent Cooperation Treaty, such applicationwill be deemed as the patent application raised with the patent administrationdepartment under the State Council, and such date of international applicationwill be deemed as the date of patent application in China.
