Question:

Can a trademark application in China receive expedited examination, and how long does examination normally take?

Answer:

There is no expedited examination procedure for Chinese trademark applications. Applicants seeking earlier registration should file promptly and conduct searches and prepare documents carefully to avoid unnecessary steps such as office actions.

At the time of the article, the Trademark Office issued the filing receipt in approximately three months and completed examination in approximately nine months.

A notice issued on November 17, 2017 set targets for further reductions. By the end of 2017, the receipt period was to fall from three to two months and examination from nine to eight months. By the end of 2018, the targets were one month for the receipt and six months for examination.

Meeting the 2018 targets would reduce the combined period by five months.