IP Wars US vs China | The Battle for Global Tech & Trademark Power
In today’s global marketplace, creativity doesn’t stop at the border, but neither does infringement.
IP Wars US vs China
As more U.S.-based brands expand internationally, they’re running into a hard truth: China is now both a critical market and a legal minefield for intellectual property. From trademark squatting to counterfeit saturation, creatives and corporations alike are learning that protecting your IP domestically is only half the story.
The latest battleground?
Trademarks , particularly in fashion, tech, and design, where Chinese companies are rapidly filing marks in the U.S., while U.S. brands often fail to file in China until it’s too late. The result: blocked imports, lost revenue, and legal limbo.
According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, while China has made incremental progress in IP reform, enforcement remains selective and strategically political, especially when foreign interests are involved.
What creatives and brands need to know:
- “First-to-file” rules dominate China’s system. If you haven’t filed your trademark there, someone else can, and will.
- U.S. registration offers no protection abroad. You must file directly or use treaties like the Madrid Protocol.
- Counterfeit enforcement is often weak. Even with wins in court, policing knockoffs remains an uphill battle.
Planning to go global? Start with protection.
At Zamani Thomas Legal, we help clients expand with preemptive strategy, not post-crisis cleanup. That means international trademark filing plans, contract clauses for overseas production, and ongoing enforcement support.
Book a Creative Consult to safeguard your brand worldwide. And for resources built for cross-border creatives, visit The Creative Docket.