Protect Before You Enter: IP Essentials for Nordic SMEs in China Mainland & Hong Kong -webinar

China offers significant opportunities for Nordic SMEs, but entering the market without a clear understanding of intellectual property (IP) can expose companies to serious and often irreversible risks.

Differences in legal systems, first-to-file rules, and enforcement practices frequently come as a surprise — sometimes only after damage has already been done.

This webinar focuses on what Nordic SMEs need to know about IP protection in China Mainland and Hong Kong before market entry. It highlights why IP should be treated as a strategic business issue rather than a purely legal matter, and how early decisions can determine whether a company’s China journey starts on solid ground or with avoidable challenges.

Participants will gain a clear overview of how the IP systems in China Mainland and Hong Kong differ, what these differences mean in practice, and how to approach trademarks, patents, and other IP rights in a structured and realistic way. The session also touches on common IP pitfalls Nordic SMEs encounter and introduces a practical decision roadmap to support informed market-entry planning.

This webinar is powered by Leap4Growth, an EU-funded project designed to boost SMEs from the Central Baltic region in their international growth. Leap4Growth supports companies aiming to enter and scale in the markets of China’s Greater Bay Area and Vietnam by reducing market-entry risks and providing access to expert knowledge and business support. Learn more about the opportunities offered by the Leap4Growth project.

Speaker
The webinar will be led by Mr. Jari Vepsäläinen, one of the most experienced Nordic experts on China trade and intellectual property. Jari Vepsäläinen has over 35 years of experience working with Western companies in China. He has served as Chief of Police and prosecutor in Finland and currently works as an attorney for the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Federal Police, handling confidential commercial legal cases, fraud, disputes, arbitration, and settlement processes. His expertise includes strategic IP protection, registration planning, enforcement and infringement cases, and counterfeit monitoring, with a strong focus on practical, real-world solutions for SMEs.

Practical Information

The webinar will take place online on 4 February 2026 from 14:00 to 15:00.

The session will be held in English and includes a 50-minute presentation followed by a 10-minute Q&A.

Participation is free of charge, but registration is required. A participation link will be sent to registered participants before the event.