Legal Guidance and Research / Experts / Laura Aldridge
Laura Aldridge#11412

Laura Aldridge

Mishcon de Reya
Laura Aldridge is a Managing Associate in the Brands Team at Mishcon with 10 years' trade mark experience. She joined the firm as part of the merger with Taylor Vinters in January 2023. She advises on all aspects of brand protection, from clearance, filing and registration through to maintenance and enforcement. She has particular experience advising on clearance and filing strategies and resolving objections during prosecution, working with local counsel to provide tailored advice across multiple markets. Laura works regularly with charity, social venture, start-up and growth clients and understands the need to provide pragmatic and cost-effective advice and solutions. 

Practice Area

Panel

  • Contributing Author

Qualified Year

  • 2018

Experience

  • Taylor Vinters LLP (2015 - 2023)

Membership

  • CILEx
  • International Trade Mark Association (INTA)

Qualifications

  • LLB (2012)
  • LLM (Employment Law) (2014)
  • Fellow of CILEx (2018)

Education

  • University of East Anglia (2009-2012; 2013-2014)

2 Contributions by Laura Aldridge

China Copyright Law: Ownership, Registration, Licensing, Enforcement (Civil, Criminal, Administrative and Customs), Online Infringement and AI — Practical Guidance for UK Practitioners
PRACTICE NOTES
China Copyright Law: Ownership, Registration, Licensing, Enforcement (Civil, Criminal, Administrative and Customs), Online Infringement and AI — Practical Guidance for UK Practitioners
Introduction Copyright is an IP right that grants an individual the exclusive control over how their original work is copied, disseminated or otherwise dealt with by third parties. The principal statute regulating and setting out copyright in China is the Copyright Law of the People’s Republic of China (the “Copyright Law”), first officially enacted in 1990 and subsequently formally revised in 2001, 2010 and 2020. What is copyright? Copyright is an IP entitlement that safeguards a person’s exclusive right to reproduce, publish, distribute or sell their original creation. It protects the expression of an idea rather than the idea itself. For copyright to subsist lawfully, a work must be original and capable of reproduction. Broadly speaking, the categories of works that qualify for protection in Europe will similarly qualify in China. Creative outputs, including books, music, sound recordings, plays, films, paintings, sculptures and photographs, may attract copyright protection, among others. Databases are protected as well. In China, computer software is also expressly secured under the Copyright Law. Copyright comprises a bundle of rights that are granted to the author of an original work. The author of that work enjoys moral rights in what they have produced, including the right accordingly...
IP
Protecting trade marks in China: first-to-file registration strategies, Chinese-language equivalents, tackling bad-faith registrations, evidence standards, and administrative, customs, civil and criminal enforcement options
PRACTICE NOTES
Protecting trade marks in China: first-to-file registration strategies, Chinese-language equivalents, tackling bad-faith registrations, evidence standards, and administrative, customs, civil and criminal enforcement options
Introduction Safeguarding a trade mark in China enables a business to build a brand and reputation within the world’s second largest economy. This supports customer growth and helps ensure no one else uses their name to sell goods or services without permission. China operates a ‘first-to-file’ system, meaning the earliest filer is entitled to register the mark, so timing is critical. In practice, legal protection can be lost if an identical or similar trade mark has already been entered on China’s register before your filing. Consequently, it is crucial to register a trade mark in China at the first available moment. Chinese law does provide bases to oppose an application or to invalidate a registered trade mark where appropriate. Nevertheless, filing first is generally the least costly and most effective way to secure a mark and avoid disputes. Challenging earlier filings later can be time-consuming and uncertain, compared with prompt registration. Act early to minimise risk. It is also possible to enforce unregistered trade mark rights in China through unfair competition law, but this route is often less effective than relying on a registered trade mark right. Registering your trade mark National and international registration systems A trade mark may...
IP
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