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

➪ 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] ➪ 21 December 2025: Asian Legal Business has ranked MMLC as a Notable Firm for China M&A/Corporate work [read more], having previously ranked the firm highly for China trademarks, patent and copyright work [read more] ➪ 10 November 2025: MMLC's China trademark agency reps, Matt Murphy and Yu Du have been included in World IP Review's 2025 List of Leaders, as well as MIP's latest IP Stars' rankings [read more]

Recent Insights

China Releases Draft Guidelines for Trial of Data Property Rights Registration - 8 April 2026

On 3 April 2026, the National Data Administration of China released its drafted Data Property Rights Registration Work Guidelines (Trial) (Exposure Draft) ...
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China Issues Draft Measures for Digital Virtual Human Information Services - 10 April 2026

On 3 April 2026, the Cyberspace Administration of China issued the Administrative Measures for Digital Virtual Human Information Services (Exposure Draft) ...
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Puma Prevails in China as SPC Upholds Formstrip Trademark Against Lookalike Shoe Designs - 24 March 2026

This judgment provides important clarification on the relationship between design patents and prior trademark rights under Chinese law, and further establishes the principle that design patents must not be used as a tool to circumvent existing trademark protection ...
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China’s SPC Issues a New Batch of Typical Cases on Judicial Protection of Intellectual Property Rights in the Seed Industry - 31 March 2026

On 26 March 2026, the Supreme People’s Court of China (“SPC”) released the sixth batch of typical cases on judicial protection of intellectual property rights in the seed industry ...
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CNIPA Releases Draft Amendments to the Measures for the Administration of Patent Priority Examination for Public Comment - 3 March 2026

On 27 February 2026, the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) released its Draft Amendments to the Measures for the Administration of Patent Priority Examination ...
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EU Trademark George Orwell Heads to the EU General Court - 6 March 2026

A long-running dispute over the attempted trademark registration of the name George Orwell has intensified, with the matter now heading to the European Union General Court following a rejection by the European Union Intellectual Property Office ...
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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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