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Intellectual Property Lawyers Hong Kong and China

We live in a world where Intellectual Property rights have a unique value; it is imperative that Business Owners protect those rights. Backed by a team of experienced intellectual property lawyers in Hong Kong and China, OLN can provide you with practical legal advice to safeguard your intellectual property rights.

Intellectual property right is territorial in nature and is a broad topic that encompasses various types of original creations, such as copyright, patent and design. Complicating the matter further, the rules governing intellectual property in different countries vary. Therefore, you need professional lawyers who have a proven track record in dealing with local/regional/international intellectual property issues to help cope with these matters. Here at OLN, we understand the needs of businesses and individuals for professional legal advice and services related to intellectual property rights. Our intellectual property Hong Kong and China teams have the capacity and experience to offer an outstanding service.

The Intellectual Property team in OLN’s PRC office together with the Intellectual Property team in our Hong Kong office provide intellectual property management for brand owners and investors. With solid knowledge in China and Hong Kong Intellectual Property law, our Intellectual Property team is able to advise on diverse topics related to intellectual property law in Hong Kong and China and assist clients in protecting their trademarks, patents, designs and copyright.

OLN’s PRC team is also a qualified trademark agency which is appointed by the PRC government to handle trademark registration and prosecution directly in China and deal with the PRC examiners without a third party.


OLN provides a full range of services in connection with intellectual property matters including:

Trade Marks

  • Searching & pre-filing advice and strategy
  • Filing & Prosecuting trade mark applications in Hong Kong, China National and IR mark
  • Commencing/Defending trade mark opposition proceedings, trade mark invalidation or non-use revocation proceedings
  • Maintenance and Watching services
  • Advising and recordal of trade mark assignments, licenses, mergers, security interest recordals or customs related matters
  • Anti-counterfeiting administrative and court action

Patent & Design

  • Searches and patentability study
  • Drafting Patent Specifications and Claims, Providing Patent Filing Strategies and Professional Advice Services
  • Hong Kong and Chinese (PRC) Patent Filing (invention, utility model and industrial design)
  • Patent reexamination and invalidation
  • Patent customs recordal and prosecution
  • Comprehensive patent-related management consultation (portfolio and annuity management, patent strategy)
  • Patent licensing and technology transfer

Domain Name

  • Domain name registration
  • Domain name dispute resolution

Litigation/Enforcement

  • Enforcing IP rights through court action, administrative and judicial channels and by Customs protective measures
  • Negotiating for solutions of IP related disputes and arbitration representation
  • Advising on trade secret and anti-unfair competition issues

Copyright

  • Registration of copyright in China (PRC)
  • Negotiation and conclusion of copyright license and assignment contracts
  • Copyright infringement litigation and related legal matters
  • Copyright customs recordal and prosecution

Others

  • Portfolio reviews & management
  • Trademark, Patent, Design, Domain names renewals in Hong Kong and China
  • Collation and notarization of evidence in China
  • Watching services
  • Advising and assisting on the trade mark implications of business merger
  • Counseling on unfair competition and trade secrets protection
  • French, English and Chinese-speaking counseling

Key Clients

We constantly act for a number of national and international clients spanning across various industries, including:

  • Chelsea FC
  • Knight Frank
  • Grant Thornton
  • The Travelers Indemnity Company
  • The Hearst Corporation
  • Sony Music Entertainment
  • Sun Hung Kai & Co. Limited
  • Miramar Group
  • The Pavilions Hotels and Resorts
  • Revivo Hotels and Resorts 
  • Mærsk A/S 

Further client references are available on request


Memberships


Intellectual Property Law

Team Members

Evelyne S.M. Yeung

Senior Associate

Ken Masuyama

Registered Foreign Lawyer (Japan)

Laurent Eugene

Registered Foreign Lawyer (France)

Angel J. Luo

Registered Foreign Lawyer(PRC)

achievements

Awards & Recognitions

  • 2026
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  • 2025
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  • 2024
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  • 2023
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  • 2022
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  • 2021
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  • 2020
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  • 2019

ALB Asia IP Rankings (received by OLN IP Services, a member of Oldham, Li & Nie)

Intellectual Property – Tier 2

IP Stars from Managing IP

Trade mark prosecution – Recommended firm

The Legal 500 Asia Pacific

Intellectual Property – Tier 5

Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2026 - Leading firm

ALB Asia IP Rankings (received by OLN IP Services, a member of Oldham, Li & Nie)

Intellectual Property – Tier 2

Asialaw Profiles

Intellectual Property – Highly recommended

The Legal 500 Asia Pacific

Intellectual Property – Tier 5

IP Stars from Managing IP

Trusted Talent Firm

ALB Asia IP Rankings (received by OLN IP Services, a member of Oldham, Li & Nie)

Intellectual property (Copyright/Trademark) – Tier 1

ALB Asia IP Rankings (received by OLN IP Services, a member of Oldham, Li & Nie)

Intellectual property (Patents) – Tier 2

Asialaw Profiles

Intellectual Property – Highly recommended

Legal Media 360 Market Sentiment Index

Intellectual property (General) – Band 4
Intellectual property (Trademark enforcement and litigation) – Band 3
Intellectual property (Trademark prosecution) – Band 3

 

Legal Media 360 Ranked Firm

ALB Asia IP Rankings (received by OLN IP Services, a member of Oldham, Li & Nie)

Intellectual property (Copyright/Trademark) – Tier 1

ALB Asia IP Rankings (received by OLN IP Services, a member of Oldham, Li & Nie)

Intellectual property (Patents) – Tier 2

Asialaw

Intellectual Property – Recommended

Legal Media 360 Brand Sentiment Index

Intellectual property (General) – Band 4

World Trademark Review 1000

Prosecution and Strategy – Bronze Tier

World Trademark Review 1000

Enforcement and Litigation – Bronze Tier

The Legal 500 Asia Pacific (received by OLN IP Services, a member of Oldham, Li & Nie)

Intellectual Property – Tier 5

LegalMedia360 Ranked Law Firm Hong Kong

Asialaw

Intellectual Property – Recommended

ALB Asia IP Rankings (received by OLN IP Services, a member of Oldham, Li & Nie)

Intellectual property (Copyright/Trademark) – Tier 1

ALB Asia IP Rankings (received by OLN IP Services, a member of Oldham, Li & Nie)

Intellectual property (Patents) – Tier 2

The Legal 500 Asia Pacific (received by OLN IP Services, a member of Oldham, Li & Nie)

Intellectual Property – Tier 5

Asialaw

Intellectual Property – Recommended

The Legal 500 Asia Pacific

Intellectual Property – Tier 5

ALB Asia IP Rankings

Intellectual property (Trademarks & Copyright) – Tier 1

ALB Asia IP Rankings

Intellectual property (Patents) – Tier 2

The Legal 500 Asia Pacific

Intellectual Property – Tier 5

Asialaw

Intellectual Property – Highly Recommended

The Legal 500 Asia Pacific

Intellectual Property – Tier 5

TESTIMONIALS

What Our
Clients Say

LATEST FROM Intellectual Property Law

Articles & News

Intellectual Property Law

How do I register a trade mark in Hong Kong? +

Trade mark registration is governed by the Trade Marks Ordinance (Cap. 559). Applications are filed with the Intellectual Property Department. E-filing is available. OLN’s IP team handles the full process – from clearance searches and strategy to prosecution, opposition proceedings, and maintenance.

How do I register a trade mark in China? +

Applications are filed with the CNIPA. E-filing is available. OLN’s IP team handles the full process – from clearance searches and strategy to prosecution, opposition proceedings, and maintenance – and files directly in mainland China without requiring a third-party agent.

How long does a Hong Kong trade mark registration last? +

A registered trade mark is valid for 10 years from the date of application and is renewable indefinitely for further 10-year periods, unless the registration is cancelled by third -party. OLN provides trade mark watching and renewal services to ensure registrations remain in force.

How long does a China trade mark registration last? +

A registered trade mark is valid for 10 years from the date of application and is renewable indefinitely for further 10-year periods, unless the registration is cancelled by third -party. OLN provides trade mark watching and renewal services to ensure registrations remain in force.

Does my Hong Kong trade mark cover mainland China? +

No, trade mark rights are territorial. A Hong Kong registration provides no protection in mainland China. Separate registration with CNIPA is required. OLN’s Shanghai office is a CNIPA-licensed trade mark agency and files directly in China, providing seamless dual-jurisdiction IP protection.

What is an International (Madrid) trade mark and can I file one from Hong Kong? +

The Madrid System allows you to file a single international application to seek trade mark protection in 130+ member countries, but Hong Kong is not a member of Madrid Convention so International trade mark registration is not available in Hong Kong. OLN assists with international trade mark strategy, filing, and management of the resulting global portfolio.

How is copyright protected in Hong Kong? +

Copyright in Hong Kong arises automatically upon creation of a qualifying work – no registration is required. Protection is governed by the Copyright Ordinance (Cap. 528).

How is copyright protected in China? +

Registration is available and recommended in mainland China. There is a Copyright Protection Centre responsible for recordal of copyright.  OLN advises on copyright ownership, licensing, assignment, and infringement proceedings in both Hong Kong and China.

What is the difference between a patent, a trade mark, and a copyright? +

A patent protects a new invention or technical process and must be registered before disclosing to the public. A trade mark protects a brand name, logo, or slogan distinguishing goods or services; registration is strongly recommended. Copyright protects creative works (text, art, music, software) automatically on creation. All three can coexist and OLN advises on the optimal combination for each client.

How do I enforce my IP rights if someone is infringing in Hong Kong? +

Enforcement options include civil proceedings (injunction, damages, account of profits), administrative action through Customs (seizure at the border), and criminal complaints in serious counterfeiting cases. OLN advises on the most cost-effective enforcement strategy and has experience in both urgent injunctions and full trial proceedings.

How do I enforce my IP rights if someone is infringing in China? +

Enforcement options include civil proceedings (injunction, damages, account of profits), administrative action through administrative authority and Customs (seizure at the border), and criminal complaints (public police) in serious counterfeiting cases. OLN advises on the most cost-effective enforcement strategy and has experience in both urgent injunctions and full trial proceedings.

How do I enforce my IP rights if someone is infringing online? +

Filing a complaint with the platform service provider. Thereafter, the Complainant may claim the damages via civil proceedings (damages, account of profits). OLN advises on the most cost-effective enforcement strategy and has experience in both urgent injunctions and full trial proceedings.

How long does patent protection last in Hong Kong? +

A standard patent granted in Hong Kong has a maximum term of 20 years from the filing date, subject to payment of annuity. A short-term patent has a term of 8 years. OLN handles patent filing strategy, prosecution, portfolio management, and annuity management in both Hong Kong and China.

How long does patent protection last in China? +

A patent for invention granted in China has a maximum term of 20 years from the filing date, subject to payment of annuity. A utility model has a term of 10 years. OLN handles patent filing strategy, prosecution, portfolio management, and annuity management in both Hong Kong and China.

What is a trade secret and how is it protected in Hong Kong? +

A trade secret is confidential business information, such as a formula, process, customer list, or algorithm, that derives value from its secrecy. Unlike patents, trade secrets are not registered. Protection relies on contractual confidentiality obligations, restrictive covenants, and the law of breach of confidence. OLN advises on both preventive frameworks and litigation to restrain misuse.

How are website domain name disputes resolved in Hong Kong? +

Domain name disputes in Hong Kong are resolved under the .hk Dispute Resolution Policy (HKDRP), which follows the ICANN UDRP model. OLN advises on domain name registration strategy and acts in domain name dispute proceedings, including recovering domains registered in bad faith.