CN-KnowHow IP Group is one of China’s long-established intellectual property firms, with a history closely connected with the development of China’s patent system. Since the introduction of China’s Patent Law in 1984, the firm has built a comprehensive IP practice covering patent, trademark, copyright, design, litigation, portfolio management and IP-related commercial matters.
Patent prosecution remains one of the firm’s core strengths. CN-KnowHow advises domestic and international clients on patent filing, prosecution, re-examination, invalidation, divisional applications, priority issues, freedom to-operate analysis and cross-border patent strategies. From September 2024 to September 2025, the firm filed approximately 17,810 patent applications with the China National Intellectual Property Administration, with an overall grant rate of around 75% to 80%.
The firm has strong technical capabilities across a broad range of industries, including electronics,
semiconductors, communications, machinery, materials, chemistry, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, new energy vehicles, artificial intelligence and green technologies. CN-KnowHow also has a particularly strong practice in plant variety rights, handling a significant proportion of PVR matters in China.
CN-KnowHow’s team consists of around 400 IP professionals, including more than 150 patent and trademark agents. Many of its attorneys have over a decade of experience, and the firm also benefits from the insight of former CNIPA examiners. This combination of technical depth, procedural experience and practical understanding of examination practice enables the firm to provide commercially focused and efficient advice to clients.
The firm serves a diverse client base, including multinational companies, universities, research institutions, technology enterprises and leading Chinese innovators. It has extensive experience assisting overseas applicants with PCT national phase entries and Paris Convention filings in China, as well as supporting Chinese clients with global IP portfolio planning and overseas protection strategies.
International cooperation is an important part of CN-KnowHow’s practice. The firm actively participates in major global IP conferences and maintains close working relationships with overseas law firms and corporate IP teams. Through frequent cross-border communication and joint training programmes with international partners, the firm continues to strengthen its ability to handle complex international IP matters.
In recent years, CN-KnowHow has continued to invest in innovation, technology and professional development. The firm has developed AI-assisted patent workflow tools, an intelligent internal office system and a customised e-learning platform to improve efficiency, training and service quality. In 2025, the firm also strengthened its position in the Chinese IP industry through national-level recognition, participation in international IP dialogues CN-KnowHow’s recognition by Managing IP reflects its long-standing commitment to professional excellence, client-focused service and high-quality IP solutions. Looking ahead, the firm will continue to support clients with practical, reliable and commercially oriented IP services in China and internationally.
