On May 20, 2026, Asian Legal Business (ALB) officially released its 2026 ALB China IP Rankings. Backed by its deep professional expertise and strong market reputation, Watson & Band was once again recognized in both the Patent and Copyright/Trademark categories, marking the tenth consecutive year the firm has secured a place in the rankings.

A Decade of Steady Leadership

Since first entering the ALB China IP rankings in 2017, Watson & Band has remained on the list every year. ALB's rigorous research evaluates firms across key dimensions including matter volume and complexity, team development, client profile, and market reputation. Ten consecutive years of recognition underscores the firm's long-standing leadership in China's IP legal services market.

Patent: Technology-Driven and Litigation-Proven

As one of China's earliest IP service providers qualified to handle foreign-related patent agency matters, Watson & Band brings more than 30 years of experience to its patent practice. The team comprises more than 100 lawyers and patent attorneys with technical backgrounds across fields such as chemistry, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, machinery, electronics, and telecommunications.

With a focus on high-value services, including patent portfolio quality analysis and patent navigation analysis, the firm provides comprehensive international IP solutions. On the litigation front, Watson & Band successfully represented a party in China's first patent infringement case between foreign companies. In recent years, a number of cases handled by the firm have been selected as representative cases by the Supreme People's Court and local courts.

Copyright and Trademark: Protecting and Enhancing Brand Value

In copyright, Watson & Band has built extensive experience in digital entertainment, film, television, and media. Notable matters include the online game copyright infringement case involving Six Major Sects and works by Louis Cha (Jin Yong), which was selected as one of the "Top Ten IP Judicial Protection Cases of Shanghai Courts in 2015," and the landmark cross-border copyright enforcement action brought by major Hollywood studios against Renren Video.

In trademark, the firm offers full-process services covering filing strategy, registration, enforcement, and brand protection. Its representation in the "Nikon" well-known trademark cross-class protection case was selected as one of the "50 Representative IP Cases of Chinese Courts in 2010" and published in the Gazette of the Supreme People's Court. The team also demonstrated its strategic depth by representing international fashion brand Theory in responding to complex retaliatory cross-border trademark litigation.

Cross-Border Reach and Full-Lifecycle Protection

Headquartered in Shanghai, Watson & Band has built a robust network across major domestic and international hubs, including Beijing, Hong Kong, Tokyo, San Francisco, and Jakarta. Recently, the firm became a cooperation partner of the Pudong Sub-Center of the Overseas Intellectual Property Dispute Response Guidance Center, helping Chinese enterprises navigate overseas patent disputes.

By combining its litigation experience with upstream services such as patent and trademark prosecution and IP transactions, Watson & Band has developed a "litigation + non-contentious services" model. This approach provides end-to-end support for clients from rights mining, portfolio planning, and rights confirmation through to enforcement and protection.

Looking Ahead

Thirty years of dedication have shaped Watson & Band's IP practice. Grounded in its core values of "Integrity, Strategy, Professionalism, and Dedication," the firm has evolved from its IP roots into a comprehensive law firm spanning corporate and commercial, data law, capital markets, and other practice areas. In the AI era, as novel IP challenges continue to emerge, Watson & Band will continue to leverage its professional expertise and innovative spirit to deliver high-quality, integrated legal solutions to clients in China and around the world.