The Patent 1000 focuses exclusively on patent practice and has firmly established itself as the definitive 'go-to' resource for those seeking world-class legal patent expertise.
Silver - Firms: prosecution
Providing a full suite of IP services with the utmost professionalism, AFD China is a repository of trust for foreign companies seeking IP protection in China. Presiding over the outfit is founder Xia Zheng, who has more than 30 years’ experience tackling some of the trickiest IP matters. Patrons have nothing but praise for her keen legal and technical insights: “I am consistently impressed with Xia, so when I have new patent applications to file in China, I regularly send the work to AFD China.”
AFD China, a leading Chinese intellectual property firm, is privately owned and based in Beijing, China, with a US office in Seattle, WA, USA. Since its establishment in 2002, AFD, together with its spin-out BHTD Law Firm originated from the litigation group of AFD in 2011, has been continually dedicated to providing exceptional services in combination with a high level of professionalism and care to global clients in all areas of intellectual property law, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, domain names, and others.
AFD is one of the few Chinese IP firms that provide a broad spectrum of services including IP strategy, search, patent mining, patent drafting, patent and trademark filing and prosecution, post-grant proceedings, freedom-to-operate analysis, validity or invalidity analysis, investigations, IP dispute resolution and IP litigation to strengthen and protect its global clients' IP rights.
AFD has nearly 300 professionals. Its attorneys are well-versed in the laws of China related to patents, trademarks and other IPs. Some once studied abroad and many had obtained advanced degrees in various technical fields as well as extensive industry experiences before joining AFD. Some were Chinese patent examiners. This combination of legal and technical expertise enables AFD professionals to better understand the clients' requirements, and to provide effective solutions. By assembling skilled and dedicated work teams, AFD ensures timely and effective solutions, safeguarding its clients’ IP rights.
Up to now, AFD has served over ten thousand clients from various sectors including small and medium size enterprises, and reputable academic and research institutions, and international corporates, some of which are Fortune 500 companies or Top 500 Chinese enterprises.
Collaborative Teamwork:
Teamwork is the cornerstone of AFD’s success. AFD believes in the power of shared experiences and continuous learning. Their seamless collaboration leverages the collective resources and strengths of their team to complement individual limitations. With creative mind sets and effective approaches, AFD team is dedicated to empowering its clients' innovation and development.
Forward-thinking approach
AFD offers comprehensive, forward-thinking advices at each step of the prosecution or litigation process. Their dedicated professionals provide recommendations on tailoring new patent applications in accordance with Chinese patent law and pre-empt patentability objections, and deliver comprehensive analyses to their clients upon receiving examination opinions. AFD utilizes every possible opportunity during the course of the prosecution to advance clients’ cases.
Up-to-date knowledge
The attorneys at AFD have been staying up-to-date with the latest changes in their respective areas of IP practice. They promptly communicate with clients in regard to changes to governmental, statutory and regulatory laws and regulations, examination guidelines and specific handlings through regular emails, newsletters, seminars and workshops.
Value-added services
AFD offers value-added services such as foreign patent and trademark application support, licensing and exploration, counselling services, right-to-use and validity opinions, due diligence and docketing and monitoring. It is willing to go beyond what most patent and trademark attorneys will do in providing long term services.
Quality Control:
Since its inception, AFD has been maintaining a mandatory quality control policy. Through continual refinement, AFD has established a closed-loop monitoring mechanism that identifies and rectifies issues, conducts training, and diligently follows up on progress, thereby ensuring the high standard of its services and meticulous risk management.
Excellence in Tackling Complex matters：
AFD has a reputation for tackling difficult cases and defending clients in complex situations. Its practices are not limited to verbatim interpretations of the law or conventional operations, but are rooted in getting to the crux of the problem and creating out-of-box, innovative solutions.
AFD Awards & Honors
Beijing IP Service Alliance for Integration of Defense and Civilian Technologies since 2007,
Chinese Patent Golden, silver and outstanding prizes by WIPO & CNIPA, thirty times since 2009
Top PCT filing firm by MIP, 2009-2020
Excellent Patent Agency by Beijing by Beijing Patent Attorneys Association, 4 times since 2013
Recommended by Beijing Municipal IP Office, Union of Beijing Business Services, since 2007
Recognized by Asia IP, MIP, IP Stars and The Legal 500 since 2015, IAM Patent 1000 since 2016, and World Trade Mark Review since 2018
AAAAA Patent firm by Beijing Patent Attorneys Association since 2017
Jurisdiction