Sophia is the Managing Partner of Guangzhou Office, China Head of Enforcement, based in Guangzhou.
Sophia Hou is dedicated to intellectual property protection and enforcement both in China and globally, with over 20 years of practical experience. Sophia serves numerous leading domestic and multinational companies across various industries, including communications, technology, fast-moving consumer goods, fashion and luxury goods, manufacturing, and entertainment.
Sophia specializes in customizing and executing comprehensive IP protection and enforcement projects for rights holders, covering the full spectrum of trademark, patent, copyright, and trade secret matters, including evidence collection, administrative enforcement, criminal protection, and disputes related to infringement and unfair competition.
Additionally, with an international perspective, Sophia has laid a solid foundation for overseas IP protection for many Chinese companies, providing international protection in regions such as the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia. Sophia has also handled numerous large-scale, influential cases across multiple jurisdictions.
She currently serves as the chair of the Anti-Counterfeiting Committee of the China Sub-Committee of the International Trademark Association (INTA) and has been honored with the "IPR Daily: Top 50 IP Lawyers under the age of 50 in China" among other accolades.
Work Highlights:
Led the team to:
Led the team to:
- Advising a world's leading food business in China’s first foreign right holder’s IP dispute solved through arbitration (Top 10 Best Practices for Business Environment Reform in Guangzhou 2023, Recommended Example IP Cases of Guangzhou IP Protection Association 2023)
- Advising Chanel against 9 individuals for IP infringement and counterfeit cosmetics (Top 10 Model Cases of Cracking Down on IP Infringement Crimes by the Ministry of Public Security 2021)
- Working with one of China’s largest electronics provider on their international trade mark protection.
- Undertaking IP protection services for one of the US’ fast growing consumer goods companies in Vietnam.
- Advising a famous multinational footwear brand on the risk control and management of trade secrets in China's supply chain.
- Providing trademark registration and consulting services for a UK/UAE fast fashion brand in Hong Kong.
- Advising a famous multinational footwear brand on the risk control and management of trade secrets in China's supply chain.
- Conducting an in-depth investigation on a Shenzhen import and export company, whereby after cooperating with Shenzhen Customs, we intercepted a whole container of patent infringing products and civil litigation was filed immediately.
- Providing trademark registration and consulting services for a UK/UAE fast fashion brand in Hong Kong.
Qualifications
- PRC licensed lawyer
- Master’s degree in civil and commercial law in Sun Yat-sen University
- Qualified as a Top-Level Trade Secret Protection Specialist
- WIPO Patent Advanced Course Training Certification
- EPP Leadership Training Certification from the U.S. Leadership Management Development Center
Accolades
- Top 50 IP Lawyers under the age of 50 in China – IPR Daily 2024
Affiliations
- Guangzhou Tianhe District Intellectual Property Association Expert Committee
- Expert in the Wuhan Trade Secret Expert Directory
- Expert in Shenzhen Guangming IP (Trade Secret Protection) Expert Directory
- Expert in Shenzhen IP Oversea Dispute Resolution Expert Directory
- Expert in Nanchang IP Expert Directory
- Chair of INTA China Sub-Committee of Anticounterfeiting Committee (2024-2025)
- Expert in Huadu District Guangzhou Development Zone Trade Secret Protection Workstation Expert Committee
- Foreign-related IP Matter Expert - Ningbo IP Protection Center