28 November 2025
Most brands manufacturing in China still think “export-only” means they’re safe from trade mark problems.
That used to be true. It isn’t anymore.
Chinese courts now treat OEM manufacturing for export as trade mark use inside China — which means your goods can infringe someone else’s China trade mark even if they never hit the Chinese market.
If you don’t own your marks in China, you’re exposed to:
- seized goods
- factory raids
- blocked shipments
- infringement claims
- expensive “bad-faith squatter” battles
And yes — this happens to Australian SMEs all the time.
The fix is simple:
- Register your trade marks in China
- Lock down OEM contracts with real IP clauses
- Search before you manufacture
- Monitor squatters
- Plan ahead before problems hit the port
If you’re sourcing from China and want to know whether your brand is actually protected there, now’s the time to check — not when production stops or Customs steps in.
Need help clearing, filing, or enforcing trade marks in China?
IP Solved can walk you through it.
