Trade mark applicants often encounter obstacles in the form of prior similar marks. Producing a consent letter from or coexistence agreement with the prior mark owner are possible ways forward to overcome this obstacle.

However, the position on consent / coexistence agreements in China and Hong Kong may not be the same. This means brand owners will have to be more careful when considering the trade mark filing strategies for their brands in the Greater China area.

To understand more about the consent letter / coexistence agreements in relation to the trade mark applications in China and Hong Kong, please read the latest article written by our Partner Valerie Suen, and Senior Associate Janice Yip.