Dan Harris is a founding member of Harris Sliwoski, an international law firm where he mostly represents companies doing business in emerging market countries. Most of his time is spent helping American and European companies navigate foreign countries by working with the international lawyers at his firm in setting up companies overseas (WFOEs, Subsidiaries, Rep Offices and Joint Ventures), drafting international contracts, protecting IP, and overseeing M&A transactions.

In addition, Dan writes and speaks extensively on international law, with a focus on protecting foreign businesses in their overseas operations. He is also a prolific and widely-followed blogger, writing as the co-author of the award-winning China Law Blog.

China trademark lawyer

China Trademark Protection: Is Your Chinese Manufacturer a Friend or a Foe?

Navigating Trademark Protection in China When dealing with China, protecting your brand’s identity is imperative. Every month, without fail, one of my law firm’s international IP lawyers are approached by companies facing a startling reality: their Chinese manufacturers have registered the company’s trademarks in China.* Understanding Trademark Theft in China The motivations behind these trademark registrations

China Manufacturing lawyers

Who Owns Your China Product Manufacturer and Why it Matters

The Misconception of Foreign Ownership of Chinese Factories A common assumption among Western companies is that partnering with a Chinese manufacturer owned by a Western entity will lower risks and simplify the transaction. However, this belief is often based on a fundamental misunderstanding of Chinese business law and ownership structures. This post aims to dispel

China lawyer testimony

Dan Harris Testimony Before the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission

The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission was created by the United States Congress in October 2000 with the legislative mandate to monitor, investigate, and submit to Congress an annual report on the national security implications of the bilateral trade and economic relationship between the United States and

China's economy and your business

China’s Declining Economy and the Implications for YOUR Business

China’s Economic Downturn and the Implications for YOUR Business As economic uncertainty roils China, foreign companies operating in or with China face increasing risks. From capital controls to supply chain disruptions to Chinese companies turning against their foreign company partners, businesses worldwide must navigate a more precarious China environment. This article very examines the current

China licensing agreements. How to negotiate.

Negotiating China Licensing Agreements

Navigating China Licensing Contract Negotiations: Tactics and Countermeasures We have been drafting an increasing number of contracts for foreign companies licensing their brand name, concept, or technology for use in China. In the old days, this type of licensing was primarily in the industrial sector. These days, much of our work has involved licensing agreements

China product development and manufacturing

On the Importance of Visiting the Factory That Makes Your Products

Factory Visits Help Build Strong Relationships and Ensure Product Quality Your choice of a foreign manufacturer and the relationship you build with it are critical in determining your product quality. Visiting the factory where your products are made—or appointing a trusted delegate to do so — goes a long way in improving your odds of

A hand holding a bag with a magnifying glass and a house on it.

How to SAFELY Reduce Your China Product Prices

China Factory Prices are Falling: How to Get Yours The Plight of Chinese Factories In China’s tumbling prices push some exporters to the brink, Reuters News wrote about something the international manufacturing lawyers at my law firm have been seeing for quite some time now. Desperate Chinese factories are lowering their prices, and most Chinese

government connections

When Doing Business Internationally, Government Connections are Fleeting

All glory is fleeting. — George S. Patton Jr. Had an interesting conversation with a client the other day. To protect identities, I am going to change a few unimportant facts and be somewhat vague, but here goes. The Unpredictability of Government-Dependent Business This company is in an industry very much related to government. By

Update your corporate documents now to comply with the latest China foreign investment regulations and company law, or face problems later.

Chinese Government to Foreign Entities in China: Revise Your Corporate Documents NOW or Face Problems Later

Urgent Compliance Alert for Foreign-Invested Enterprises in China Attention all foreign investors in China! A recently passed mandate from the Chinese government demands immediate action to update your corporate governance structure and documents. Whether you’re a Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprise (WFOE) or part of a Chinese Joint Venture Entity, adhering to China’s revised PRC Company Law

China trademark lawyer

What You Should Do AFTER You Get Your China Trademark

Securing and Maintaining China Trademark Registrations We constantly stress the importance of securing trademark registrations in China. But upon seeing an email from one of our international IP attorneys to a client, it occurred to me that we have not written about what companies should do after they secure their China trademark(s). So here goes,