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This is a critical distinction that surprises many business owners.",[],{"_key":1330,"_type":856,"children":1331,"markDefs":1336,"style":885},"k187",[1332],{"_key":1333,"_type":860,"marks":1334,"text":1335},"k186",[],"If you have been trading under a particular brand name for five years but have never registered it as a trademark, anyone can file a trademark application for that same name today and acquire priority over you — even though you have been using it longer. 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A registered trademark holder can rely on the registration itself as evidence of ownership — they do not need to prove years of use and reputation before taking action.",[],{"_key":1418,"_type":856,"children":1419,"markDefs":1424,"style":1053},"k231",[1420],{"_key":1421,"_type":860,"marks":1422,"text":1423},"k230",[959],"What’s The Cross-Border Risk?",[],{"_key":1426,"_type":856,"children":1427,"markDefs":1432,"style":885},"k235",[1428],{"_key":1429,"_type":860,"marks":1430,"text":1431},"k234",[],"If your business operates across the border into Mainland China or other markets, the absence of trademark registrations in those jurisdictions creates an additional layer of risk. Mainland China also operates on a first-to-file basis, and there is a well-documented history of third parties registering Hong Kong brands in Mainland China before the original brand owner — a practice known colloquially as \"trademark squatting.\" Once this occurs, the original brand owner cannot use the name in Mainland China without a licence from the squatter, or must engage in expensive legal proceedings to challenge the registration.",[],{"_key":1434,"_type":856,"children":1435,"markDefs":1440,"style":962},"k239",[1436],{"_key":1437,"_type":860,"marks":1438,"text":1439},"k238",[959],"Understanding the Nice Classification System",[],{"_key":1442,"_type":856,"children":1443,"markDefs":1464,"style":885},"k251",[1444,1448,1452,1456,1460],{"_key":1445,"_type":860,"marks":1446,"text":1447},"k246",[],"When filing a trademark application in Hong Kong, you must specify the ",{"_key":1449,"_type":860,"marks":1450,"text":1451},"k247",[959],"classes of goods or services",{"_key":1453,"_type":860,"marks":1454,"text":1455},"k248",[]," for which the trademark is to be protected. Hong Kong adopts the ",{"_key":1457,"_type":860,"marks":1458,"text":1459},"k249",[959],"Nice International Classification of Goods and Services",{"_key":1461,"_type":860,"marks":1462,"text":1463},"k250",[]," (尼斯分類), administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), which divides all goods and services into 45 classes:",[],{"_key":1466,"_type":856,"children":1467,"level":986,"listItem":987,"markDefs":1476,"style":885},"k257",[1468,1472],{"_key":1469,"_type":860,"marks":1470,"text":1471},"k255",[959],"Classes 1–34:",{"_key":1473,"_type":860,"marks":1474,"text":1475},"k256",[]," Goods",[],{"_key":1478,"_type":856,"children":1479,"level":986,"listItem":987,"markDefs":1488,"style":885},"k263",[1480,1484],{"_key":1481,"_type":860,"marks":1482,"text":1483},"k261",[959],"Classes 35–45:",{"_key":1485,"_type":860,"marks":1486,"text":1487},"k262",[]," Services",[],{"_key":1490,"_type":856,"children":1491,"markDefs":1504,"style":885},"k271",[1492,1496,1500],{"_key":1493,"_type":860,"marks":1494,"text":1495},"k268",[],"The 2026 edition of the Nice Classification (the 12th edition as updated) came into effect on 1 January 2026. 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The goal is to identify the classes that genuinely reflect your business activities and protect those, without over-filing in classes where you have no realistic intention to operate.",[],{"_key":1514,"_type":856,"children":1515,"markDefs":1520,"style":1053},"k279",[1516],{"_key":1517,"_type":860,"marks":1518,"text":1519},"k278",[959],"Full Class Reference Table for Hong Kong Businesses",[],{"_key":1522,"_type":856,"children":1523,"markDefs":1532,"style":885},"k285",[1524,1528],{"_key":1525,"_type":860,"marks":1526,"text":1527},"k283",[],"The following table covers the top 10 most relevant Classification categories, with particular emphasis on the classes most commonly relevant to Hong Kong SMEs:",{"_key":1529,"_type":860,"marks":1530,"text":1531},"k284",[959],"Top 10 Classes Most Relevant to Hong Kong Businesses",[],{"_key":1534,"_type":1128,"columnHeaders":1535,"hasColumnTitles":129,"hasRowTitles":142,"rows":1545},"k286",[1536,1539,1542],{"_key":1537,"_type":1132,"cellIndex":1133,"title":1538},"k287","Industry Type",{"_key":1540,"_type":1132,"cellIndex":986,"title":1541},"k288","Recommended Class(es)",{"_key":1543,"_type":1132,"cellIndex":1140,"title":1544},"k289","Class Description",[1546,1582,1618,1654,1690,1726,1762,1798,1834,1870],{"_key":1547,"_type":1149,"cells":1548},"k290",[1549,1560,1571],{"_key":1550,"_type":1153,"content":1551},"k291",[1552],{"_key":1553,"_type":856,"children":1554,"markDefs":1559,"style":885},"k392",[1555],{"_key":1556,"_type":860,"marks":1557,"text":1558},"k391",[],"Restaurant \u002F Food & Beverage",[],{"_key":1561,"_type":1153,"content":1562},"k294",[1563],{"_key":1564,"_type":856,"children":1565,"markDefs":1570,"style":885},"k395",[1566],{"_key":1567,"_type":860,"marks":1568,"text":1569},"k394",[],"Class 30 + Class 43",[],{"_key":1572,"_type":1153,"content":1573},"k297",[1574],{"_key":1575,"_type":856,"children":1576,"markDefs":1581,"style":885},"k398",[1577],{"_key":1578,"_type":860,"marks":1579,"text":1580},"k397",[],"Class 30: Food products (sauces, condiments, packaged foods, coffee, tea). 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Even if registration is not completed for several months, your rights as the registered owner will ultimately date back to this filing date.",[],{"_key":2817,"_type":856,"children":2818,"markDefs":2823,"style":1053},"k947",[2819],{"_key":2820,"_type":860,"marks":2821,"text":2822},"k946",[959],"Stage 3: Formalities Examination",[],{"_key":2825,"_type":856,"children":2826,"markDefs":2831,"style":885},"k951",[2827],{"_key":2828,"_type":860,"marks":2829,"text":2830},"k950",[],"Following filing, the Trade Marks Registry first conducts a formalities examination to verify that the application is complete and in the prescribed format. 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This initiates a three-month opposition period during which any third party may file a Notice of Opposition against the application.",[],{"_key":2997,"_type":856,"children":2998,"markDefs":3003,"style":885},"k1037",[2999],{"_key":3000,"_type":860,"marks":3001,"text":3002},"k1036",[],"A third party typically opposes on the basis that the proposed mark is confusingly similar to their own registered or unregistered mark, or that registration would be contrary to the Ordinance. If an opposition is filed:",[],{"_key":3005,"_type":856,"children":3006,"level":986,"listItem":987,"markDefs":3019,"style":885},"k1045",[3007,3011,3015],{"_key":3008,"_type":860,"marks":3009,"text":3010},"k1042",[],"The applicant receives a copy of the Notice of Opposition and must file a ",{"_key":3012,"_type":860,"marks":3013,"text":3014},"k1043",[959],"Counter-statement",{"_key":3016,"_type":860,"marks":3017,"text":3018},"k1044",[]," within two months to contest the opposition",[],{"_key":3021,"_type":856,"children":3022,"level":986,"listItem":987,"markDefs":3027,"style":885},"k1049",[3023],{"_key":3024,"_type":860,"marks":3025,"text":3026},"k1048",[],"Failure to file a counter-statement results in the application being deemed abandoned",[],{"_key":3029,"_type":856,"children":3030,"level":986,"listItem":987,"markDefs":3035,"style":885},"k1053",[3031],{"_key":3032,"_type":860,"marks":3033,"text":3034},"k1052",[],"If a counter-statement is filed, the matter proceeds to a hearing before the IPD or, if the parties agree, may be settled by negotiation",[],{"_key":3037,"_type":856,"children":3038,"markDefs":3043,"style":885},"k1057",[3039],{"_key":3040,"_type":860,"marks":3041,"text":3042},"k1056",[],"If no opposition is filed within three months of publication, or if any opposition is resolved in the applicant's favour, the application proceeds to registration.",[],{"_key":3045,"_type":856,"children":3046,"markDefs":3051,"style":1053},"k1061",[3047],{"_key":3048,"_type":860,"marks":3049,"text":3050},"k1060",[959],"Stage 6: Registration and Certificate Issuance",[],{"_key":3053,"_type":856,"children":3054,"markDefs":3067,"style":885},"k1069",[3055,3059,3063],{"_key":3056,"_type":860,"marks":3057,"text":3058},"k1066",[],"On successful completion of all stages, the Trade Marks Registry registers the trademark and issues a ",{"_key":3060,"_type":860,"marks":3061,"text":3062},"k1067",[959],"Certificate of Registration",{"_key":3064,"_type":860,"marks":3065,"text":3066},"k1068",[]," to the applicant. The trademark details are entered in the official Register of Trade Marks and are publicly accessible.",[],{"_key":3069,"_type":856,"children":3070,"markDefs":3079,"style":885},"k1075",[3071,3075],{"_key":3072,"_type":860,"marks":3073,"text":3074},"k1073",[959],"The legal effect of registration dates back to the filing date, not the certificate issuance date.",{"_key":3076,"_type":860,"marks":3077,"text":3078},"k1074",[]," This means your exclusive rights as the registered owner extend back to the moment you filed the application, providing retrospective protection for the period during which the application was being processed.",[],{"_key":3081,"_type":856,"children":3082,"markDefs":3087,"style":885},"k1079",[3083],{"_key":3084,"_type":860,"marks":3085,"text":3086},"k1078",[],"Once the certificate is received, you are entitled to use the ® symbol in connection with your registered mark in the registered classes.",[],{"_key":3089,"_type":856,"children":3090,"markDefs":3095,"style":962},"k1083",[3091],{"_key":3092,"_type":860,"marks":3093,"text":3094},"k1082",[959],"Trademark Renewal: Maintaining Your Registration",[],{"_key":3097,"_type":856,"children":3098,"markDefs":3103,"style":1053},"k1087",[3099],{"_key":3100,"_type":860,"marks":3101,"text":3102},"k1086",[959],"Validity Period and Renewal Cycle",[],{"_key":3105,"_type":856,"children":3106,"markDefs":3119,"style":885},"k1095",[3107,3111,3115],{"_key":3108,"_type":860,"marks":3109,"text":3110},"k1092",[],"A registered trademark is valid for ",{"_key":3112,"_type":860,"marks":3113,"text":3114},"k1093",[959],"10 years",{"_key":3116,"_type":860,"marks":3117,"text":3118},"k1094",[]," from the application filing date. It may be renewed indefinitely for successive 10-year periods, provided the renewal fee is paid. There is no maximum duration — a trademark can remain in force permanently as long as it continues to be renewed and used.",[],{"_key":3121,"_type":856,"children":3122,"markDefs":3127,"style":885},"k1099",[3123],{"_key":3124,"_type":860,"marks":3125,"text":3126},"k1098",[],"This is a significant advantage of trademark protection compared to other intellectual property rights such as patents, which have a maximum protection period.",[],{"_key":3129,"_type":856,"children":3130,"markDefs":3135,"style":1053},"k1103",[3131],{"_key":3132,"_type":860,"marks":3133,"text":3134},"k1102",[959],"When to Renew",[],{"_key":3137,"_type":856,"children":3138,"markDefs":3143,"style":885},"k1107",[3139],{"_key":3140,"_type":860,"marks":3141,"text":3142},"k1106",[],"Renewal applications may be submitted at any time during the final six months before the expiry date. The IPD sends a reminder notice to the registered owner's address, but reliance on this reminder alone is not recommended — if the notice is not received, the obligation to renew remains.",[],{"_key":3145,"_type":856,"children":3146,"markDefs":3159,"style":885},"k1115",[3147,3151,3155],{"_key":3148,"_type":860,"marks":3149,"text":3150},"k1112",[],"If the renewal deadline is missed, the IPD provides a ",{"_key":3152,"_type":860,"marks":3153,"text":3154},"k1113",[959],"grace period of six months",{"_key":3156,"_type":860,"marks":3157,"text":3158},"k1114",[]," after the expiry date during which the trademark may still be renewed upon payment of the standard renewal fee plus an additional surcharge. If the grace period passes without renewal, the trademark lapses and is removed from the register. A lapsed trademark cannot be revived through renewal — it must be re-applied for as a new application, which means losing the original priority date.",[],{"_key":3161,"_type":856,"children":3162,"markDefs":3171,"style":885},"k1121",[3163,3167],{"_key":3164,"_type":860,"marks":3165,"text":3166},"k1119",[959],"Best practice:",{"_key":3168,"_type":860,"marks":3169,"text":3170},"k1120",[]," Diarise the renewal deadline 12 months before it falls due, and initiate the renewal process at least six months before expiry. If a trademark agent manages your portfolio, confirm that they have an active reminder system in place.",[],{"_key":3173,"_type":856,"children":3174,"markDefs":3179,"style":1053},"k1125",[3175],{"_key":3176,"_type":860,"marks":3177,"text":3178},"k1124",[959],"Renewal Fees",[],{"_key":3181,"_type":856,"children":3182,"markDefs":3187,"style":962},"k1129",[3183],{"_key":3184,"_type":860,"marks":3185,"text":3186},"k1128",[959],"The Non-Use Cancellation Risk",[],{"_key":3189,"_type":856,"children":3190,"markDefs":3203,"style":885},"k1137",[3191,3195,3199],{"_key":3192,"_type":860,"marks":3193,"text":3194},"k1134",[],"Registration alone does not guarantee permanent protection. Under the Trade Marks Ordinance, if a registered trademark has not been ",{"_key":3196,"_type":860,"marks":3197,"text":3198},"k1135",[959],"genuinely used in Hong Kong",{"_key":3200,"_type":860,"marks":3201,"text":3202},"k1136",[]," for a continuous period of three years, any third party may apply to the IPD to have the trademark cancelled on grounds of non-use.",[],{"_key":3205,"_type":856,"children":3206,"markDefs":3211,"style":885},"k1141",[3207],{"_key":3208,"_type":860,"marks":3209,"text":3210},"k1140",[],"\"Genuine use\" means actual commercial use of the mark in Hong Kong in connection with the goods or services for which it is registered — not merely cosmetic or token use designed to preserve the registration. The use must be in the registered classes and in the Hong Kong market specifically.",[],{"_key":3213,"_type":856,"children":3214,"markDefs":3219,"style":1053},"k1145",[3215],{"_key":3216,"_type":860,"marks":3217,"text":3218},"k1144",[959],"Maintaining Evidence of Use",[],{"_key":3221,"_type":856,"children":3222,"markDefs":3227,"style":885},"k1149",[3223],{"_key":3224,"_type":860,"marks":3225,"text":3226},"k1148",[],"To protect against a non-use cancellation challenge, trademark owners should maintain a systematic record of the trademark's commercial use. Supporting evidence may include:",[],{"_key":3229,"_type":856,"children":3230,"level":986,"listItem":987,"markDefs":3235,"style":885},"k1153",[3231],{"_key":3232,"_type":860,"marks":3233,"text":3234},"k1152",[],"Product packaging and labels bearing the trademark",[],{"_key":3237,"_type":856,"children":3238,"level":986,"listItem":987,"markDefs":3243,"style":885},"k1157",[3239],{"_key":3240,"_type":860,"marks":3241,"text":3242},"k1156",[],"Invoices and sales records showing the trademark has been applied to goods sold or services rendered in Hong Kong",[],{"_key":3245,"_type":856,"children":3246,"level":986,"listItem":987,"markDefs":3251,"style":885},"k1161",[3247],{"_key":3248,"_type":860,"marks":3249,"text":3250},"k1160",[],"Marketing materials, brochures, and advertisements bearing the trademark",[],{"_key":3253,"_type":856,"children":3254,"level":986,"listItem":987,"markDefs":3259,"style":885},"k1165",[3255],{"_key":3256,"_type":860,"marks":3257,"text":3258},"k1164",[],"Social media posts and website screenshots showing the trademark in active use",[],{"_key":3261,"_type":856,"children":3262,"level":986,"listItem":987,"markDefs":3267,"style":885},"k1169",[3263],{"_key":3264,"_type":860,"marks":3265,"text":3266},"k1168",[],"Trade show participation, press coverage, or media appearances featuring the trademark",[],{"_key":3269,"_type":856,"children":3270,"markDefs":3275,"style":885},"k1173",[3271],{"_key":3272,"_type":860,"marks":3273,"text":3274},"k1172",[],"For businesses with multiple registered marks across different classes, a periodic use audit — ideally annual — helps identify any classes in which use has lapsed. If genuine use has ceased in a particular class, voluntary abandonment of that class at renewal may be preferable to maintaining a registration that is vulnerable to cancellation by a third party.",[],{"_key":3277,"_type":856,"children":3278,"markDefs":3283,"style":962},"k1177",[3279],{"_key":3280,"_type":860,"marks":3281,"text":3282},"k1176",[959],"International Trademark Protection: Beyond Hong Kong",[],{"_key":3285,"_type":856,"children":3286,"markDefs":3299,"style":885},"k1185",[3287,3291,3295],{"_key":3288,"_type":860,"marks":3289,"text":3290},"k1182",[],"A Hong Kong trademark registration provides protection ",{"_key":3292,"_type":860,"marks":3293,"text":3294},"k1183",[959],"only within the Hong Kong SAR",{"_key":3296,"_type":860,"marks":3297,"text":3298},"k1184",[],". If your business operates or plans to expand into other markets, separate trademark applications are required in each jurisdiction.",[],{"_key":3301,"_type":856,"children":3302,"level":986,"listItem":987,"markDefs":3307,"style":885},"k1189",[3303],{"_key":3304,"_type":860,"marks":3305,"text":3306},"k1188",[959],"Mainland China",[],{"_key":3309,"_type":856,"children":3310,"markDefs":3323,"style":885},"k1197",[3311,3315,3319],{"_key":3312,"_type":860,"marks":3313,"text":3314},"k1194",[],"Mainland China operates its own trademark registration system, administered by the ",{"_key":3316,"_type":860,"marks":3317,"text":3318},"k1195",[959],"China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA)",{"_key":3320,"_type":860,"marks":3321,"text":3322},"k1196",[],". A Hong Kong trademark registration provides no protection in Mainland China, and vice versa. Given the known risk of trademark squatting — third parties registering Hong Kong brands in Mainland China before the original brand owner — businesses with any Mainland exposure should prioritise CNIPA registration early.",[],{"_key":3325,"_type":856,"children":3326,"level":986,"listItem":987,"markDefs":3331,"style":885},"k1201",[3327],{"_key":3328,"_type":860,"marks":3329,"text":3330},"k1200",[959],"The Madrid System",[],{"_key":3333,"_type":856,"children":3334,"markDefs":3347,"style":885},"k1209",[3335,3339,3343],{"_key":3336,"_type":860,"marks":3337,"text":3338},"k1206",[],"For businesses seeking trademark protection across multiple jurisdictions simultaneously, the ",{"_key":3340,"_type":860,"marks":3341,"text":3342},"k1207",[959],"Madrid System",{"_key":3344,"_type":860,"marks":3345,"text":3346},"k1208",[],"administered by WIPO provides a cost-effective mechanism to file a single international application designating multiple member countries. An applicant with a home-country base registration (which could be the Hong Kong registration) can file a Madrid System application covering over 130 member territories through a single application. For a complete overview of the Madrid System, the WIPO website at wipo.int\u002Fmadrid provides official guidance.",[],{"_key":3349,"_type":856,"children":3350,"markDefs":3355,"style":962},"k1213",[3351],{"_key":3352,"_type":860,"marks":3353,"text":3354},"k1212",[959],"Aspire: The Business Account That Grows With Your Brand",[],{"_key":3357,"_type":856,"children":3358,"markDefs":3363,"style":885},"k1217",[3359],{"_key":3360,"_type":860,"marks":3361,"text":3362},"k1216",[],"Building a brand in Hong Kong means investing in its protection — and managing the financial side of that investment efficiently. Aspire gives Hong Kong SMEs the business account infrastructure to handle trademark fees, IP agent payments, and all other business expenditures without the friction of traditional banking.",[],{"_key":3365,"_type":856,"children":3366,"markDefs":3375,"style":885},"k1223",[3367,3371],{"_key":3368,"_type":860,"marks":3369,"text":3370},"k1221",[959],"One account for everything.",{"_key":3372,"_type":860,"marks":3373,"text":3374},"k1222",[]," Open fully digitally — approved in as little as one business day. Send and receive in 40+ currencies across 130+ countries, with FX spreads from 0.18% — up to 3x cheaper than a traditional bank wire. Whether paying a local trademark agent, settling IPD fees online, or managing international payments to IP advisers overseas, Aspire handles all payment types from a single platform.",[],{"_key":3377,"_type":856,"children":3378,"markDefs":3405,"style":885},"k1239",[3379,3383,3387,3392,3396,3401],{"_key":3380,"_type":860,"marks":3381,"text":3382},"k1233",[959],"Full financial visibility.",{"_key":3384,"_type":860,"marks":3385,"text":3386},"k1234",[]," Every transaction syncs automatically with ",{"_key":3388,"_type":860,"marks":3389,"text":3391},"k1235",[3390],"k1226","Xero",{"_key":3393,"_type":860,"marks":3394,"text":3395},"k1236",[]," and ",{"_key":3397,"_type":860,"marks":3398,"text":3400},"k1237",[3399],"k1229","QuickBooks",{"_key":3402,"_type":860,"marks":3403,"text":3404},"k1238",[]," — keeping your IP investment costs categorised, tracked, and audit-ready alongside all other business expenses.",[3406,3408],{"_key":3390,"_type":881,"externalUrl":3407,"linkType":359},"https:\u002F\u002Faspireapp.com\u002Fhk\u002Fblog\u002Fxero-tutorial",{"_key":3399,"_type":881,"externalUrl":3409,"linkType":359},"https:\u002F\u002Faspireapp.com\u002Fhk\u002Fblog\u002Fquickbook-online-tutorial",{"_key":3411,"_type":856,"children":3412,"markDefs":3421,"style":885},"k1245",[3413,3417],{"_key":3414,"_type":860,"marks":3415,"text":3416},"k1243",[959],"1.2% unlimited cashback on eligible business spend.",{"_key":3418,"_type":860,"marks":3419,"text":3420},"k1244",[]," Marketing, SaaS, professional fees — every eligible transaction on your Aspire corporate card earns 1.2% cashback with no cap. Plus over USD 500,000 in partner rewards including Google Workspace and Slack.",[],{"_key":3423,"_type":856,"children":3424,"markDefs":3429,"style":885},"k1249",[3425],{"_key":3426,"_type":860,"marks":3427,"text":3428},"k1248",[959],"Open your Aspire business account free. Approved in as little as one business day.",[],{"_key":3431,"_type":856,"children":3432,"markDefs":3436,"style":962},"k1253",[3433],{"_key":3434,"_type":860,"marks":3435,"text":14},"k1252",[959],[],{"_key":3438,"_type":856,"children":3439,"markDefs":3444,"style":1053},"k1257",[3440],{"_key":3441,"_type":860,"marks":3442,"text":3443},"k1256",[],"Is a company name the same as a trademark?",[],{"_key":3446,"_type":856,"children":3447,"markDefs":3452,"style":885},"k1261",[3448],{"_key":3449,"_type":860,"marks":3450,"text":3451},"k1260",[],"No. These are entirely separate registration systems. A company name registered with the Companies Registry, or a business name registered with the Inland Revenue Department, does not give you any trademark rights over that name. A third party can validly apply to register the same name as a trademark and, if successful, could require you to stop using it commercially. Trademark registration with the IPD is the only mechanism that grants statutory exclusive rights to use a name or logo in connection with your goods or services.",[],{"_key":3454,"_type":856,"children":3455,"markDefs":3460,"style":1053},"k1265",[3456],{"_key":3457,"_type":860,"marks":3458,"text":3459},"k1264",[],"Can I file a trademark application myself without using an agent?",[],{"_key":3462,"_type":856,"children":3463,"markDefs":3468,"style":885},"k1269",[3464],{"_key":3465,"_type":860,"marks":3466,"text":3467},"k1268",[],"Yes. The IPD accepts direct applications from individuals and companies without requiring representation by a registered trademark agent. However, the substantive examination process involves legal judgments about distinctiveness, similarity to existing marks, and appropriate class selection that can be difficult to navigate without professional knowledge. Self-filed applications have a higher rate of objection and refusal than professionally filed ones. For straightforward single-class applications with clear marks, self-filing is viable. For complex or multi-class applications, professional advice is generally cost-effective.",[],{"_key":3470,"_type":856,"children":3471,"markDefs":3476,"style":1053},"k1273",[3472],{"_key":3473,"_type":860,"marks":3474,"text":3475},"k1272",[],"Does my Hong Kong trademark protect me in Mainland China?",[],{"_key":3478,"_type":856,"children":3479,"markDefs":3484,"style":885},"k1277",[3480],{"_key":3481,"_type":860,"marks":3482,"text":3483},"k1276",[],"No. Hong Kong and Mainland China are separate trademark jurisdictions. A Hong Kong trademark registration has no legal effect in Mainland China, and a Mainland Chinese registration has no effect in Hong Kong. If your business operates or plans to operate in Mainland China, you must file a separate application with the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA). For businesses seeking protection across multiple markets simultaneously, the WIPO Madrid System enables a single international application covering over 130 member territories.",[],{"_key":3486,"_type":856,"children":3487,"markDefs":3492,"style":1053},"k1281",[3488],{"_key":3489,"_type":860,"marks":3490,"text":3491},"k1280",[],"What is a priority claim and when does it apply?",[],{"_key":3494,"_type":856,"children":3495,"markDefs":3508,"style":885},"k1289",[3496,3500,3504],{"_key":3497,"_type":860,"marks":3498,"text":3499},"k1286",[],"If you have filed a trademark application in any country that is a member of the Paris Convention or the WTO, you may file an application for the same mark in Hong Kong within six months of the original filing date and claim the earlier date as your Hong Kong priority date. This is known as a ",{"_key":3501,"_type":860,"marks":3502,"text":3503},"k1287",[959],"priority claim",{"_key":3505,"_type":860,"marks":3506,"text":3507},"k1288",[],". It means that if anyone else files a conflicting Hong Kong application in the period between your original foreign filing and your Hong Kong filing, your priority date will still take precedence. This is particularly useful for businesses expanding from other jurisdictions into Hong Kong.",[],{"slug":3510,"title":3511},"incorporation","Incorporation",{"_type":144,"alternativeText":3513,"height":145,"url":3514,"width":147},"HK Trademark Registration: Steps, Nice Classes & Fees","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.aspireapp.com\u002Fwebsites\u002Fblog\u002Fa1a44ed028cf1d899cf1ffb6ece4ad60\u002Fshared-a1a44ed0_cover_shared-cover-people.jpeg",[3516,3523,3531,3538],{"_key":957,"_type":856,"children":3517,"level":986,"listItem":987,"markDefs":3522,"style":885},[3518],{"_key":3519,"_type":860,"marks":3520,"text":3521},"k1",[],"A trademark is a sign that distinguishes your goods or services from those of other traders. Company name registration and business registration do not provide trademark rights — trademark protection requires a separate application to the Intellectual Property Department.",[],{"_key":3524,"_type":856,"children":3525,"level":986,"listItem":987,"markDefs":3530,"style":885},"k5",[3526],{"_key":3527,"_type":860,"marks":3528,"text":3529},"k4",[],"Hong Kong operates on a first-to-file basis. Priority goes to the first applicant, not the first user. Existing use provides limited protection through passing off law, but this is significantly harder and more expensive to enforce than a registered trademark.",[],{"_key":3532,"_type":856,"children":3533,"level":986,"listItem":987,"markDefs":3537,"style":885},"k8",[3534],{"_key":964,"_type":860,"marks":3535,"text":3536},[],"The Nice Classification system divides goods and services into 45 classes. Protection applies only to registered classes. Always register in every class where your business currently operates or plans to operate — common mistakes include omitting Class 9 (software products) when registering Class 42 (software services), or omitting Class 35 (retail services) when registering product classes.",[],{"_key":972,"_type":856,"children":3539,"level":986,"listItem":987,"markDefs":3543,"style":885},[3540],{"_key":975,"_type":860,"marks":3541,"text":3542},[],"Always conduct a trademark search before filing. Government fees are non-refundable. A conflict discovered after filing means losing the application fee and potentially needing to modify the mark before refiling.",[],[3545,3551],{"_key":957,"_type":856,"children":3546,"markDefs":3550,"style":885},[3547],{"_key":3519,"_type":860,"marks":3548,"text":3549},[],"Imagine spending years building a brand — the name, the logo, the reputation — and then discovering that someone else has registered it as a trademark before you. You are now legally using a mark that belongs, on paper, to another party. They can demand you stop using it. They can sue for infringement. And in Hong Kong's \"first to file\" system, the fact that you used it first provides only limited protection without a formal registration.",[],{"_key":3524,"_type":856,"children":3552,"markDefs":3556,"style":885},[3553],{"_key":3527,"_type":860,"marks":3554,"text":3555},[],"This guide covers the complete trademark registration process in Hong Kong: what a trademark is and why it matters; the risks of not registering; how the Nice Classification system works and which classes apply to your business; how to search for existing marks before applying; the government fees involved; the full six-stage application process; renewal obligations; and the risk of losing trademark protection through non-use.",[],"2026-07-09T00:00:00.000Z",{"_type":139,"metaDescription":3559,"metaTitle":3513,"socialShareImageUrl":3560},"Protect your brand in HK. Learn the 6-step IPD trademark registration process, Nice classification selection, and official fees.",{"_type":144,"alternativeText":3513,"height":145,"url":3514,"width":147},"how-to-register-a-trademark-in-hk",1791455346587]