Reking Chen

Biography

Reking is a Partner in DaHui Lawyers’ intellectual property and commercial transactions practice groups. He is experienced across the full spectrum of intellectual property (IP), franchising and technology matters, both non-contentious and contentious.

Reking's range of experience gained during years of working for domestic and international law firms empowers him in balancing the global and local perspectives to gain the best results for clients, whether they are multinational or local Chinese clients.

Reking has advised and represented clients in proceedings, before both the administrative IP authorities and the Chinese courts, regarding trademark, copyright, design patent, trade secret and domain name matters. Additionally, he has advised multinational companies on IP and commercial operation matters involved in various cross-border business transactions, including drafting IP-related agreements, undertaking IP audits and drafting and negotiating franchising agreements and other commercial contracts.

Reking is regularly recognized among top IP practitioners in China, including as a “Next Generation Partner” by The Legal 500, a “Rising Star” and then “Notable Practitioner” by Managing IP, and a “Bronze” individual by the World Trademark Review. In 2023, LexisNexis named Reking in its "40 Under 40" list for APAC. Reking also publishes frequently, in major media sources, on IP and franchising.

Before joining DaHui Lawyers, Reking was a partner at DLA Piper, after having worked at several PRC and other international law firms.

Notable Representations

IP-Related Transactions

Advising a U.S. game software company on a development and distribution project for launch in China with a Chinese game distribution company, including reviewing and revising the relevant joint venture agreement and intellectual property licensing framework agreement.
Representing a U.S. financial software company in negotiating a software license agreement with a state-owned bank and advising on issues including software import and foreign-exchange payments.
Representing the largest Chinese insurance company in negotiations with the largest Japanese pharmaceutical company regarding licensing and transfer of patents, technical secrets and trademarks relating to their joint venture project, including reviewing and revising the relevant IP transfer and licensing agreements.
Representing a Chinese home appliance manufacturer in negotiating the transfer and licensing of patents, know-how and trademarks with one of the world’s leading home appliance and technology groups, including reviewing and revising the relevant IP transfer and licensing agreements.
Negotiating a software license agreement for one of China’s leading NEV manufacturers across the table from a U.S. software owner, with a deal value of USD 9 million.
Representing a leading U.S. AI company in its negotiations with a Chinese fund regarding licensing and transfer of patents, source code and trademarks relating to their joint venture project, including drafting the relevant IP transfer and licensing agreements.
Advising a China-based textile product provider on negotiations with two Italian textile brands regarding various deals, including a share acquisition, joint venture with IP license as capital contribution, product distribution in the Greater China region, etc.

Franchising

Reviewing and revising the master franchise agreement for a U.S. theme park service provider in connection with a franchised operation in China, and handling the relevant government filings.
Representing a British infant swimming pool operator in negotiations with its master franchisee in China, drafting the master franchise agreement and template sub-franchise agreement, and handling the relevant government filings.
Advising an international hotel group on its management and franchise projects in the areas of serviced apartments and residential properties.
Advising one of the world’s largest franchising businesses in the hospitality sector on its disputes with its master franchisee in China.
Advising one of the world’s largest hotel groups on franchise filings of multiple brands in China, including dealing with challenges raised by the administrative authorities.
Advising a leading Chinese restaurant brand (with 6,000 outlets in China) on franchise-related issues in its international business expansions, and drafting country-specific franchise agreements and disclosure documents for 6 key jurisdictions.

IP Prosecution, Enforcement and Litigations

Advising one of the most famous Chinese technology giants on strategic trademark protection and open-source software compliance for its autonomous car project.
Managing the entire Greater China trademark portfolio for a world-leading integrated fiber company, including all licensing and infringement matters, and advising on all types of IP-related issues on a daily basis.
Representing a global association of financial investment professionals in three copyright infringement criminal actions and a trade secret misappropriation and copyright infringement litigation in China.
Advising a Chinese fashion brand on its global IP matters, including negotiations for copyright licenses with multiple artists, handling trademark oppositions, cancellations, litigations and the related settlement negotiations with three Europe-based competitors, and advising on global clearance searches and filings for key brands.
Advising the largest Chinese insurance company in its trademark infringement and unfair competition litigation against a California-based insurance company in the U.S. , as well as a global trademark dispute with a golf brands owner.

Commercial Contracts

Advising a China-based telecommunications device manufacturer on a template international commercial distribution agreement.
Reviewing and revising a cloud-related infrastructure service agreement for a global technology leader.
Advising a Germany-based automobile manufacturer on a template service contract provided in multiple Asian jurisdictions.