From May 2 to 6, 2026, the International Trademark Association (INTA) Annual Meeting opened in London, the United Kingdom. As a prestigious annual gathering that commands global attention within the intellectual property community, this year's INTA Annual Meeting convened over 10,000 professionals worldwide from the fields of trademarks, brands, patents, law, and innovation.
A highlight of the event was the "China Case Law Update" seminar, a benchmark session of the INTA Annual Meeting, which was successfully held on May 4 at the ExCeL London International Exhibition Centre. Dong Xiaomeng, an attorney at Han Kun Law Offices, was invited as a featured speaker. Alongside several Chinese intellectual property experts, she delivered to a global audience insightful interpretations of cutting-edge developments in China's trademark protection system.
Ms. Dong centered her analysis on "Misleading Signs, Geographical Names, and Lack of Distinctiveness." Through a systematic review of recent administrative reviews and judicial precedents, she explored the boundaries of absolute grounds examination and new standards for the determination of distinctiveness. She pointed out that courts emphasize the overall perception of a trademark in case-specific examinations, the length of text does not equate to a lack of distinctiveness, and color schemes and layout designs may also possess inherent distinctiveness.
Ms. Dong's presentation not only showcased Han Kun's profound experience in trademark administrative litigation and the handling of complex cases but also provided practical recommendations of significant reference value for multinational brands regarding their registration strategies in the Chinese market.
Han Kun's Intellectual Property Team is primarily dedicated to both litigation and non-litigation services related to intellectual property. With extensive experience, the IP team excels in managing complex disputes across its offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Wuhan. The IP team comprises nearly 200 members, including numerous seasoned litigators, former senior judges, and former patent examiners. Possessing rich experience in patent, trademark, copyright, and antitrust litigation, the IP team has handled cases spanning courts and adjudicative bodies nationwide, including the Supreme People's Court, various local people's courts, the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA), and multiple arbitration institutions.
