About the Course
Introduction
This CLE webinar will guide IP counsel on the most significant Chinese trademark litigation cases from the past year and examine key changes that are reshaping how brands protect their rights in China.
Description
As the global trade landscape continues to shift amid ongoing U.S.–China tensions and increasing tariffs, safeguarding intellectual property has never been more urgent.
With many companies now rerouting their supply chains across Asia or reassessing their China-based operations, understanding the practical value of a trademark registration—and how it translates into real-world enforcement power—is essential. In today's climate, a registration is more than a piece of paper (the trademark certificate); it is a critical tool for brand protection in cross-border business, ensuring the integrity of supply chain to market entry, especially in regions where enforcement practices and judicial protections can vary widely.
In recent years, several Chinese government offices jointly issued a series of opinions signaling a substantial transformation in China's intellectual property (IP) policy. The new framework aims to encourage innovation and strengthen protections by tackling bad-faith registrations, fostering fair competition, increasing transparency, and aligning more closely with international IP norms.
Listen as our panel analyzes these developments through the lens of enforcement. The panel will explore top trademark infringement cases in the prior year, including precedent-setting damage awards, judicial interpretations, and strategic lessons for brand owners. Special attention will be given to how U.S. companies can adapt to the evolving enforcement landscape in the era of geopolitical uncertainty and protectionism.
Presented By
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Ms. Hsiao advises companies on trademark, copyright, and cross-border commercial matters throughout Asia — including China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia — as well as in key enforcement regions from South America to the UAE and beyond. Her practice spans portfolio strategy, market entry planning, online brand protection, high-stakes disputes, and coordinated multinational enforcement, anticounterfeiting program and fraud/criminal actions. Ms. Hsiao has pursued matters through every level of China’s system, securing more than 1000 opposition, invalidation, and nonuse wins, and works closely with U.S. and European authorities on counterfeit seizures, arbitration, and product recalls. A dedicated advocate against counterfeits, she has participated in numerous raids across Mainland China, Asia, Europe, Middle East and beyond. In 2022, she was appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce to the USPTO Trademark Public Advisory Committee (TPAC), and in 2025 she was selected to serve as Chair, advising on policy and strategic direction for the U.S. trademark system. Additionally, Ms. Hsiao was chosen by the former Deputy Secretary-General of the China Trademark Association as the only Western attorney to contribute to China’s first trademark textbook for international audiences.
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This 90-minute webinar is eligible in most states for 1.5 CLE credits.
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Date + Time
- event
Wednesday, June 18, 2025
- schedule
1:00 p.m. ET./10:00 a.m. PT
I. Recent changes and emerging trends in enforcement
A. How recent policy changes impact trademark enforcement in China
B. Navigating key enforcement mechanisms:
C. eCommerce takedowns (Alibaba, AliExpress, Taobao, WeChat, Weibo, Dianping), administrative raid actions, customs recordals, criminal and civil enforcement
D. Strategic venue selection: What courts are most favorable to foreign brands—and why?
E. Trends in judicial rulings and the evolving trademark enforcement climate
II. Review of top trademark litigation cases
A. Which case resulted in the highest trademark damages ever awarded to an American brand—and why did the court issue such a significant judgment?
B. Which case led to a five time punitive damages award—and what tipped the scale?
C. Which case successfully combined claims of trademark and design patent infringement—and why was this dual protection strategy effective?
D. Which case pierced the corporate veil in a trademark infringement lawsuit and why it's important?
E. Which case recognized a mark as "well-known" during trademark litigation and what's the strategy to obtain such coveted recognition?
F. Which case involving Kung Fu Panda became a landmark decision—and why does it offer particular insight for brand enforcements in China?
III. Additional Strategic insights
A. What are the key distinctions between Western (U.S.) and Eastern (Chinese/Asian) trademark systems—and how do these differences impact enforcement across Asia?
B. What are the most common enforcement pitfalls foreign brands encounter in China and other Asian jurisdictions?
C. What essential considerations should brand owners keep in mind when seeking to protect trademarks internationally?
The panel will review these and other key issues:
- Key system differences between trademark laws in China and the U.S. that lead to practical impacts on business operations
- Considerations for a brand owner before manufacturing and advertising in Asia
- Courts more favorable to foreign brands
- Key changes impacting trademark enforcement in China
