UKFT associate member SIPS is an intellectual property (IP) consultancy and trademark agency, specialising in the protection of IP rights in Greater China, including the registration, enforcement and licensing of trademarks, copyrights and patents.

Comprising a team of approximately 85 professionals and support staff, the firm has offices in Hong Kong, Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai.

In addition to its core services, SIPS assists clients with investigations management, supply chain integrity, retail and wholesale distribution, sourcing and distribution agreements, trade secrets protection, e-commerce, and Chinese-language branding.

SIPS partners include top-rated IP practitioners known for their expertise in IP matters in Greater China, having worked in the region since the late 1980s. All advisers are fluent in Mandarin and English and have an intimate knowledge of the commercial, legal, cultural and political context in the region.

Protection of IP in China presents a variety of challenges. The experienced SIPS team is well known for its ability to identify and explain these challenges and to provide creative, tailored and commercial solutions.

SIPS works with clients in various industries but is particularly known and respected for its work with the fashion industry, representing many household-name brands as well as numerous SMEs and start-ups.

The team is passionate about IP and active in government affairs and association work putting them on the front lines of IP policy making in China. This helps ensure clients have timely access to information that can impact their IP strategies.

SIPS is frequently engaged by associations and companies to provide draft position papers, speeches and to support research projects in pursuit of improved protection of IP rights in China and globally. Organisations represented to date include the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), the China Fashion Association (CFA), the Quality Brands Protection Committee, and the International Trademark Association.

Expansion of Services

In 2021, SIPS became a member of a group of IP service firms that include a patent agency and an investigation firm, and already works cooperatively with them on cases where appropriate and on a non-exclusive basis.

The group will soon be launching a new full-service IP platform that will provide comprehensive IP services including trademark and patent prosecution, IP licensing, investigations and the full range of IP enforcement (including civil, criminal and administrative), as well as a wide range of IP advisory services.

Why SIPS Joined UKFT

Given its relationships with fashion associations in other countries, as well as assisting fashion brands of all sizes with the protection of their IP rights in the region, joining UKFT is an obvious next step in SIPS’ support of the industry.

Key Contact: Dan Plane

Dan Plane is a Partner at SIPS and is experienced in all facets of intellectual property law, in particular anti-counterfeiting and IP enforcement.

Admitted in Hong Kong, Australia, and Wisconsin (USA), he has practiced extensively in the US (as both a patent litigator and public prosecutor), Europe (as EMEA anti-counterfeiting counsel for Nokia) and in the PRC and Asia Pacific, both as in-house counsel for Louis Vuitton (managing its AP anti-counterfeiting program), as well as in private practice with two of the world’s leading international law firms and one of Australia’s premier IP practices.

Dan acts on behalf of a wide range of clients, including garment manufacturers, electronics and computer companies, pharmaceuticals companies, and luxury goods manufacturers. Of particular note is his wealth of experience in designing and managing regional intellectual property programs and IP security programs in supply chain and distribution contexts.

Dan is a frequent speaker and writer on intellectual property topics, having published articles on online counterfeiting, the development of landlord liability theory, trade secrets protection and the design and management of Asia-based supply chain programs. He also serves on the International Trademark Association’s Parallel Imports Committee.

Fluent in Mandarin Chinese, Dan has practiced as a China IP specialist for approximately 20 years.  He is recognised as a leading practitioner by industry publications such as IP Stars, WTR 1000, Chambers and Legal 500.

Direct tel: +852 3468 7528

Email: danplane@sips.asia

Special Offers for UKFT Members

SIPS offers a free one-hour consultation for UKFT members to discuss all IP requirements and to formulate a practical and effective IP strategy for the Greater China region. In addition, SIPS offers discounted fees for members.

For more details, contact Dan Plane directly or email info@ukft.org.

Check out SIPS on LinkedIn here.

VISIT THE SIPS WEBSITE

SIPS is a UKFT associate member. Interested in UKFT membership? Find out more here.