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LEGAL SERVICES

Cross-Border Intellectual Property Disputes

IP disputes between U.S. and Chinese parties come in recognizable shapes: a former partner using your trademark, an ex-employee taking source code to a competitor, a licensee exceeding the license, a platform takedown you believe is wrongful. The right response depends on which rights you actually hold, where the other side is, and what you want to achieve—which is not always a lawsuit.

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HOW WE HELP

What we look at first

01

Rights and records

Registrations, contracts, invention records, licenses and evidence of use—reviewed first, because the strength of the claim decides the strategy. Trademark, copyright and trade-secret claims each need different proof.

02

Forum and remedies

Federal court, arbitration under the contract, platform procedures, customs, or a negotiated resolution. Where the infringer is in China, we also consider whether Chinese proceedings are needed and coordinate with Chinese counsel.

03

Trade secrets

Preserving evidence, acting quickly where injunctive relief may be available, and assessing what was actually protected as confidential—because a trade-secret case fails if the information was not kept secret.

04

Platform disputes

Amazon, app stores and marketplaces have their own rules. We handle takedowns and counter-notices, and we tell you when a platform process is the right tool and when it is a distraction from the real claim.

OUR APPROACH

How the matter proceeds

01

Preserve

Secure the records, the registrations and the evidence of what happened.

02

Evaluate

Identify the claims, the forum and what a realistic outcome looks like.

03

Act

Send the demand, file the proceeding or open the negotiation—whichever fits.

COMMON QUESTIONS

Common questions

Practical answers to frequently asked questions. Individual circumstances can affect the best course of action.

Can a U.S.–China IP dispute be resolved without going to court?+
Often. A well-documented demand letter, a platform takedown or arbitration under the contract resolves many matters. Litigation is one tool, and sometimes the right one.
Are trademark and trade-secret disputes handled the same way?+
No. A trademark case turns on registration, use and confusion; a trade-secret case on secrecy, reasonable measures and misappropriation. Different evidence, different timelines, different remedies.
The infringer is in China. Can a U.S. case reach them?+
Sometimes—through U.S. assets, U.S. sales channels or platforms. Where it cannot, proceedings in China may be the better route. We assess that honestly before you spend on either.
THE NEXT STEP

Ready when you are.

Briefly describe your legal needs. We offer a complimentary initial consultation and will discuss the next steps with you.

Request a consultation