Pirates in the Middle Kingdom: My Adventures as an IP Lawyer in China

The Inaugural HKU Lecture in Intellectual Property

Date: October 8, 2015 (Thursday)

Time: 6:30pm-7:30pm

Venue: Academic Conference Room, 11/F, Cheng Yu Tung Tower, HKU

Speaker: Mr. Tan Loke-Khoon, Partner and Head of Intellectual Property Practice Group, Hong Kong/China Regional (Asia) IP Practice Group Leader, Baker & McKenzie

Abstract:
China has taken steps to develop a comprehensive intellectual property regime and has acceded to most international intellectual property conventions. A flux of rules and regulations have been implemented, however, the application and enforcement of these has often been unclear.
This lecture will provide a comprehensive analysis of trademark law in the PRC and will go beyond merely stating the relevant law. Rather, it will elaborate upon how the law complies with international treaties, such as TRIPS, and the practicalities of registration, use and enforcement of trademarks in China. It will examine the most important aspects of the PRC trademark regime and will serve as a useful reference on the procedures and pitfalls related to Chinese trademark law.

About the speaker:
Mr. Tan is a partner and head of the IP Group in Hong Kong and China. He is a member of the IP Global Steering Committee and also heads the Asia Pacific Region IP Group. He also co-leads the Firm’s Luxury and Fashion Industry Practice and works extensively with global brands in this field in several jurisdictions.
Mr. Tan’s practice focuses specially on intellectual property law in the People’s Republic of China, with particular emphasis on the structuring of intellectual property rights and anti-counterfeiting planning in the area of trademarks, patents, copyright, trade names, computer software, passing-off, unfair competition, designs, labeling laws, food, drug and health regulations, consumer, media and advertising laws. With the new economy, his practice also encompasses domain name, Internet, social media and technology laws. He also has extensive experience representing major brands and leading corporations in various industries, including luxury and fashion, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, alcohol and liquor etc.
Mr. Tan is the author of “Trademark Law in the People’s Republic of China” (Oxford University Press, First Published 1998), “Pirates in the Middle Kingdom: The Art of Trademark War” (Sweet & Maxwell, 2004), “Pirates in the Middle Kingdom: The Ensuing Trademark Battle” (Sweet & Maxwell, 2008), and “Chapter 20: Intellectual Property and Domain Name Arbitration” (Arbitration in Hong Kong A Practical Guide/2011 Second Edition). He is also the contributing author of “Managing Business Disputes in Today’s China Duelling with Dragons” (Kluwer Law International, 2007). He writes regularly for many IP publications and is working on the third edition of “Pirates in the Middle Kingdom” (Sweet & Maxwell).