Many fast-growing economies such as China, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines follow the civil law system. Civil law countries rely mainly on written legislation and codified rules rather than court decisions.

When it comes to trademarks, this system operates on a first-to-file principle. This means the first person or company to file a trademark application owns the rights to it, even if another party has been using the same mark earlier.

This makes early registration essential for any business looking to expand or operate in these markets. Without proper registration, there is a risk that another party could register your brand name first and restrict your use of it.

By registering your trademark in civil law countries, you can:

• Secure exclusive ownership and usage rights for your brand
• Prevent competitors from registering similar marks
• Strengthen your brand’s credibility and legal protection

Stay tuned for our next update, where we will share helpful information on how to take the next step in protecting your brand across these key markets.