IP March

Firm overview:

Mid-size firm IP March is headquartered in Beijing and comprises a patent and trademark agency as well as a law firm. Ranked highly by publications across Asia and beyond, the firm emphasises quality, rather than quantity, in its services and says its philosophy is not to overwhelm its attorneys with huge volumes of work.

This allows its team to offer creative solutions to clients and deal with complex matters—and the firm has some big-name clients on its books. The firm’s strong practice in the automobile industry includes work for Porsche, Audi and Volkswagen as well as well-known industry suppliers.

IP March also has a notable biotech offering and has advised companies including BioNTech and BGI.

The firm’s non-contentious practice is strengthened by its multi-lingual team. IP March has developed a niche in undertaking original drafting work in Chinese or English for foreign clients based on English invention disclosures, in a multitude of technical areas.

Team overview:

Managing partner and patent attorney Stephen Yang, who leads the team, provides a “bridge” between Chinese and western cultures, speaking English and Japanese along with his native Chinese. Yang frequently speaks at international conferences and has authored many articles and books, including IP Protection In China published by the American Bar Association.

Yang was part of a team—that also included Huanfang Wu, Jie Li and Jianghong Dong—that represented Porsche Group companies on patent prosecution of about 40 applications per year.

The firm’s 12 partners all have strong language skills and have gained at least 16 years of IP experience, including stints at Peksung IP, Chofn IP and Unitalen.

Clients:

Alnylam, Arthrex, Ashland, Audi, BGI, BioNTech, CCM, China Electronics Technology Group, Conair, Electronic Arts, Keen, Luxi Chemical Group, Porsche, Power Integration, Rio Tinto, Salomon, Simcere, Suunto, Volkswagen, Whirlpool, Wilson