On 24 October 2025, inCompass IP had the pleasure of partnering with Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton to host a joint seminar titled “Brand Protection Strategies in China, Hong Kong & US”.

Conducted in a hybrid format at INNO2 Multi-Function Room 1 in Hong Kong Science Park and streamed simultaneously via webinar, the session brought together brand owners, in-house counsel, business executives, and intellectual property practitioners seeking actionable guidance on managing cross-border trade mark portfolios.

Safeguarding Brands in a Dynamic Global Market

In today’s digital and borderless economy, building brand equity requires vigilance across multiple jurisdictions with vastly different legal foundations. Companies expanding from Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area into Western markets—or international enterprises entering China—face distinct procedural, evidential, and enforcement standards.

The seminar examined the interplay between the trade mark regimes of Mainland China, Hong Kong, and the United States, providing comparative strategies designed to mitigate commercial risk and prevent rights degradation.

Panel Insights and Key Discussion Areas

The session was moderated by Peggy Cheung, Consultant at inCompass IP, and featured comprehensive presentations and practical discussions led by experienced brand protection lawyers from both firms:

• Wendy Cheng, Partner, Kilpatrick

• YeWon Min, Counsel, Kilpatrick

• Janette Sham, Chief Trade Mark Counsel, inCompass IP

Drawing on extensive experience managing global trade mark portfolios and handling high-stakes disputes, the panel explored several core themes:

• Comparative Trademark Systems: Analysing the operational differences across China, Hong Kong, and the US—contrasting first-to-file requirements against use-based regimes, examining distinct examination standards, and navigating cross-border filing strategies.

• Domain Name and Online Dispute Resolution: Addressing bad-faith domain registrations, cybersquatting, and the effective use of administrative dispute mechanisms such as UDRP and CNDRP to safeguard brand identity online.

• Best Practices and Common Pitfalls: Highlighting the essential “do’s and don’ts” of brand protection, including proactive trademark clearance searching, effective monitoring against squatters, avoiding non-use cancellation vulnerability, and coordinating early enforcement measures.

The formal presentations were followed by an interactive Q&A session, addressing practical inquiries from attendees both in the room at Hong Kong Science Park and joining remotely via the webinar platform.

Supporting Brand Innovation from Hong Kong Science Park

Headquartered in the Hong Kong Science Park, inCompass IP is dedicated to helping businesses, start-ups, and established enterprises build and protect their intangible assets. Collaborating with leading international counsel like Kilpatrick reinforces our ongoing mission to provide client-centric, commercially focused intellectual property solutions that support international growth.

We thank Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton, our esteemed panel, and all our in-person and online attendees for their active participation in making this seminar a resounding success.

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For tailored advice on brand protection, international trade mark registration strategies, or domain dispute resolution across Hong Kong, China, the US, or internationally, please feel free to contact the inCompass IP team.