Global Insight. Local Expertise.

Founded in Beijing in 2002 by international lawyer Matthew Murphy and leading business consultant Ellen Wang, the MMLC Group provides legal and business services in relation to Intellectual Property, Technology, Corporate, International Trade and International Arbitration. As a leading boutique firm with global reach, the MMLC Group is well positioned to assist organisations with their international legal and business needs, from offices in China, Australia and Europe. The MMLC Group is made up of a China trademark agency, a Hong Kong trademark agency, a China based consulting company and a boutique law firm focused on international legal issues.

Recent Firm News

➪ 16 April 2026: MMLC's Matt Murphy has been ranked as a leading lawyer in Corporate Law by Best Lawyers [read more] ➪ 12 March 2026: MMLC's Matt Murphy has been appointed to the Hong Kong Sports Mediators and Arbitrators Panels (Department of Justice of Hong Kong SAR/AALCO Hong Kong RAC) [read more] ➪ 3 March 2026: MMLC's Matt Murphy and Yu Du have been listed in the WTR 1000 2026 for their work in international IP law [read more] ➪ 17 February 2026: MMLC's Matt Murphy has been reappointed to HKIAC's List of Arbitrators for an additional three year term [read more] ➪ 23 January 2026: MMLC's David Zhang and Matt Murphy have been recognised in Lexology's Index for their work in the area of International Trade (Greater China) [read more]

Recent Insights

China’s MOFCOM Issues First Blocking Order Against U.S. Sanctions - 7 May 2026

On 24 April 2026, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the U.S. Department of Treasury, citing participation in Iranian petroleum transactions, decided to impose ...
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China Blocks Meta’s Acquisition of AI Firm Manus on National Security Grounds - 29 April 2026

On 27 April 2026, China’s Office of the Working Mechanism for Foreign Investment Security Review, under the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) issued a decision ...
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Australia: IP Retention - Trading Risk for Speed—and Chasing the Next Bluey - 30 April 2026

The Managing Director of Australian’s state owned broadcaster, the ABC, Hugh Marks, has signalled a sharp strategic shift for the national broadcaster—one built on faster decisions, greater creative risk, and a renewed focus on Australian-owned intellectual property ...
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Chinese Authorities Issue Administrative Measures for Online Marketing of Financial Products - 27 April 2026

On 24 April 2026, the People’s Bank of China, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the State Administration for Market Regulation and others, jointly issued the Administrative Measures for Online Marketing of Financial Products ...
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China Releases Rules for AI “Human‑Like” Emotional Interaction Services - 14 April 2026

On 10 April 2026, the Cyberspace Administration of China (“CAC”), the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Public Security ...
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China’s Supreme People’s Court Issues Judicial Interpretation on Punitive Damages in Intellectual Property Civil Cases - 21 April 2026

On 20 April 2026, the Supreme People’s Court (SPC) issued the Interpretation of the SPC on the Application of Punitive Damages in the Trial of Civil Disputes over Intellectual Property Infringement ...
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  • "MMLC Group ... advises international clients on brand protection, trade mark infringement, and patents, with experience also in plant variety right applications. A client comments: " ... obviously highly skilled in relation to IP and TMT matters and is very reliable ... gets the job done, and can handle complicated legal and business matters for us." - Chambers
  • "Co-founding partner Matthew Murphy of MMLC Group possesses "highly evident expertise in the field." He is noted for his skill in transactional IP, trade mark licensing, brand protection and design registration." - Chambers
  • "Boutique firm MMLC Group continued to act for its longstanding clients, which include leading players in the fashion, technology and food and beverage industries, and also received instructions from new clients. The team recently advised one of its repeat clients on a significant criminal IP counterfeiting matter in Eastern China. Matthew Murphy heads the practice, which is based in Beijing." - Legal 500
    • "MMLC Group is often instructed by foreign and domestic clients on the IP and TMT aspects of major M&A .. the team has been advising a number of multinational technology clients regarding online and offline IT and telecoms agreements, including implementation. It also assisted a number of Chinese entities with disputes concerning security and outsourcing arrangements, among other issues." - The Legal 500
  • "Matthew Murphy of MMLC Group has been practising IP law in China, and in Asia more broadly, for over two decades. A source credits him with being able to "hold clients' hands going into China," providing a comprehensive service." - Chambers
  • "Matthew Murphy is the leading partner at boutique firm MMLC Group and is “outstanding at ensuring that his clients’ needs are always expertly served”. Trademark work is a significant part of his practice, which takes in domain name arbitration, anti-counterfeiting and oppositions for a roster of multinational companies." - World Trademark Review.
  • "Clients across the technology, automotive, retail and media sectors turn to MMLC Group for advice on IT, licensing, privacy and security issues. Its practice also takes in corporate and commercial transactions and litigation. " - Legal 500.
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