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Hong Kong Trademark Applications Are Actually Very Simple: Fast-track Examination in as Little as One Week, with an 80% Success Rate
As the pandemic situation evolves, production capacity around the world is gradually being lost, and the supply of goods will rely more heavily on Chinese exports. Hong Kong, as a major export gateway, a world-renowned free port, a business-friendly jurisdiction, and a reliable IP protection system, has attracted many multinational companies and serves as an important springboard for many local enterprises going global.
The Hong Kong SAR enjoys a high degree of judicial autonomy, which differs greatly from the mainland legal system. A completely different legal system, high legal fees, and complex judicial processes have given many people the impression that legal costs in Hong Kong are high. However, compared with the complex judicial system, Hong Kong’s trademark system is extremely efficient, offering many advantages such as easy application, fast examination, and thorough protection. Most businesses can obtain trademark protection in Hong Kong at a very low cost.
On the other hand, as an important trade transshipment port, if you fail to obtain the necessary trademark registration in Hong Kong, you face the risk of goods being seized by customs on IP rights grounds, leading to heavy losses. Compared with the mainland trademark system, Hong Kong imposes stricter penalties for trademark infringement, and infringers must also bear high enforcement costs (including Hong Kong legal fees). Therefore, if you plan to or already carry out various business activities in Hong Kong, applying for Hong Kong trademark registration is essential. Otherwise, once faced with a lawsuit, you may suffer irreparable losses.
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Can Hong Kong Trademark Applications Be Filed in Chinese?
Yes! The official languages of the Hong Kong SAR include Chinese, so mainland Chinese applicants can choose Traditional Chinese as the application language. To facilitate applicants in selecting the goods and services to be claimed, the authorities also proactively provide a bilingual (Chinese and English) recommended list for applicants’ reference before filing (feel free to leave a message on this public account to request it). Moreover, even if you inadvertently use non-standard goods/service descriptions in your application, you can actively amend them during the examination process.
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If My Company Is Involved in Many Business Areas, Will Applying for a Trademark Be Very Expensive?
Not at all! Under the Hong Kong trademark application system, official fees are reduced for each additional class beyond the first. Furthermore, there is no limit on the number of goods/services that can be claimed. Unlike mainland China, where additional official fees apply when a trademark application exceeds 10 items, Hong Kong imposes no limit on the number of items!
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Do I Need to Provide a Lot of Supporting Documents for Hong Kong Trademark Registration?
No! When handling various types of Hong Kong trademark application matters, you do not need to provide a power of attorney, business license, or ID card, nor do you need to provide any other supporting documents (except in rare individual cases). So it’s very convenient!
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Does Hong Kong Also Require Trademark Examination? How Long Does Examination Take?
Examination is required, but it is very fast! File today, get a filing receipt/acknowledgment today. The examination period for a new trademark registration application is about 3 to 6 months. For some trademarks, you can receive an official notice of approval for publication within 1 to 2 weeks. In addition, if you need to handle a trademark assignment, the examination period is only 30 to 45 days.
Based on our experience handling Hong Kong trademark matters in 2019, considering the mandatory stages of a 3-month publication period and receiving the certificate 30 days after the publication period ends, the total period from filing to receiving the certificate is usually only about 6 months.
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Our firm has had an office in the Hong Kong SAR since 2010 and has handled thousands of Hong Kong trademark applications, as well as various complex refusal reviews, oppositions, cancellations, and other cases. Our clients include leading companies in various industries in China and many well-known foreign brands. We have a deep understanding and command of the Hong Kong trademark legal system.
If you have any questions regarding Hong Kong trademark applications or related matters, please follow us and leave a message.
Hotline: 400-997-5577