What is the review rule for alphabetic trademark review in China?

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The review rules for alphabetic trademark is complicated. This short article may help you understand the basics of the review so that you will not breach the basic principles.

China is a country using characters, not alphabets. Most foreigners apply trademarks in alphabets, I would list you the following rules for alphabets trademark review:

1. For trademarks consists of only one or two alphabets, design of the trademarks will be the key factor. I.e. the below marks are viewed different as per review rules:

Note simple one or two alphabets without design will be viewed as lack of distinctiveness thus be rejected directly.

2. For trademarks with more than 3 alphabets, the layout/order/pronunciation/meaning of the trademark will be important. The below marks are viewed as different:

Note a. in practice, the first and third line would be applied most of the time, CTMO may not apply line two in certain cases; b. It is better the layout and order are different at the same time.

3. For trademarks with more than 3 alphabets, and without design, at least two different alphabets will be needed to make one trademark different from the other. Except only if the first alphabet is different, only such alphabet difference will be suffice.