Biography
Melanie is a Principal based in our Shanghai office and leads the Trade Marks and Brands practice in Rouse Shanghai.
Melanie joined Rouse in 2009 and has 20 years of experience in the field of intellectual property (IP). She possesses extensive expertise in managing clients' trade mark portfolios in China, assisting international clients with comprehensive management of their Chinese trade marks, including searches, filings, prosecutions, and dispute resolution. Melanie has also successfully secured notable trade mark recognitions for European and American clients in various dispute cases.
In addition to her work in China, Melanie supports Chinese companies and international clients with trade mark filings and dispute resolutions across over 100 jurisdictions via international trade mark registration systems such as the Madrid Agreement and Protocol, the EU Trademark System, and the African Intellectual Property System, collaborating with local trade mark attorneys as needed.
Melanie’s diverse client base includes leading companies from various sectors, including chemicals, food and beverage, kitchen appliances, luxury brands, beauty care, and auto parts, as well as startups in emerging industries.
One of Melanie's trade mark invalidation cases were recognised as a top 10 case by the CNIPA in 2020.
Additionally, her insights have been featured in prestigious professional journals, including China Law and Practice, China Intellectual Property, and World Trademark Review. Her comments on cases have also been cited by The Drum, a British business magazine.
Awards
- World Trademark Review 1000, 2024: Bronze Tier for Prosecution and Strategy (China Foreign)
- Managing IP Asia-Pacific Awards, 2023: Shortlisted as Practitioner of the Year (China Foreign Firms)
- China Trademark Association, 2023: Excellent Tier for Trademark Expert Directory of China
- Shanghai Trademark Association, 2023: Excellent Trademark Attorney
- China Trademark Association, 2020: Gold Metal Trademark Practitioner