CentreO Blog

China is a “first-to-file” jurisdiction, it means you have to register a trademark in order to obtain proprietary rights. So, if you are planning to start your business in China, Centre O would strongly recommend to register your China trademark as soon as possible. As it’s mostly ended up with squatters, counterfeiters, or grey market suppliers.

What supporting documents are needed

Application

Firstly, you have to prepare your Business Registration Certificate. At the same time, you have to prepare the short essay to introduce your company. Including what is your business about, mission and vision. Then you can illustrate the idea, origin and the concept of the design. For instance, how it relates to your company.

Besides explaining your concepts, then you have to show the evidence of using the trademark. That is, you have to prepare the time line of your mark. When did it finished, when did you start to use and pictures or promotion materials during publication of it. Also, the pictures or promotion materials which printed the mark on it.

Appeal

Unfortunately, if your application is rejected and you would like to appeal. Then you need to provide the prior trademark registration certificates or preliminary publication materials. Additionally, the evidence for registration in other classes and in other countries or regions. It would be great if you can provide any other information or photos which you can support the use of the it.

Apart from the time line from born to first launch to the market. Then you have to show the evidence and expenditure of promotion of the mark in difference regions. For example, promotion materials such as packaging, leaflets with use of it.

Other than the printed materials, you need to provide the photos of attending different exhibitions and business activities involving the trademark. And the expenditure of promotion and then sales agreement, sales performance in difference regions in recent 5 years prior to application date.

If you used your mark for newspaper, magazine, journal or social media, then you should provide:

• Agreement of advertisement and payment copies
• Advertisement Agreement / Contract with marketing agents
• Press releases, reports, recommendations, certificate, prizes by difference media or organizations

For further information, please contact us.

You may want to read: 5 Steps for Process China Trademark Registration

The British Virgin Islands (BVI) is one of the most popular places to create an international business company. Since it’s well-known as being a tax haven. Hence, BVI company registration is no doubt practical, making it one of the offshore tax havens. BVI is no corporate income tax, zero tax on capital gains, or value-added tax (VAT) for offshore BVI companies. However, is it still favourable to setup BVI companies nowadays? Or let’s Centre O talk about the pros and cons as reference for you.

Increased Transparency

Global anti-money laundering (AML) and combatting financial crime regulations have become stricter. Jurisdictions like the BVI have faced pressure to enhance corporate transparency, which means more rigorous due diligence requirements and increased reporting obligations for clients.

The British Virgin Islands Country-specific Regulations

Depending on the countries where you operate, governments might be tightening regulations around the use of offshore entities for tax avoidance or evasion purposes. Some jurisdictions may now require additional scrutiny or even discourage the use of BVI companies for legitimate reasons.

Public Perception

The growing awareness about tax havens and their role in facilitating financial secrecy. This may affect the reputation of British Virgin Islands companies, particularly if they are perceived as being used for illicit activities.

The British Virgin Islands Tax Implication

Although the BVI itself does not tax its residents or corporations, changes in tax laws or international tax agreements might impact how their structures are treated by other countries, potentially leading to double taxation concerns.

Complexity

As regulations evolve, maintaining a British Virgin Islands company might become more complex and costly, especially if compliance becomes more burdensome.

Setting up a business in the BVI is not the same as it once was. However, navigating your business in certain ways can make it still a better choice than many continental registration alternatives.

For further information, please contact us.

You may want to read: APPLYING FOR THE OFFSHORE TAX EXEMPTION CLAIM