Your Taiwan IP local counselfor foreign companies and overseas firms
WISECODE IP Group is a Taiwan-based intellectual property firm that acts as local counsel for foreign companies and overseas IP firms. We handle Taiwan trademark and patent filing, office-action responses, oppositions and invalidations, freedom-to-operate (FTO) analysis, and IP risk strategy — with direct, partner-level attention and clear English and Japanese communication. Beyond Taiwan, we also handle China trademark and patent filing and China patent FTO through our established China partner, and our team includes a qualified PRC patent agent (中國專利代理人). Foreign applicants without a domicile or business in Taiwan must appoint a local agent, and WISECODE is built to be that dependable Greater China partner.
Why foreign applicants need Taiwan local counsel
Taiwan operates its own intellectual property system through the Taiwan Intellectual Property Office (TIPO), separate from China and from international filing routes. A foreign company that has no domicile or business establishment in Taiwan generally cannot file directly — it must appoint a Taiwan-based agent to act before TIPO.
Beyond the formal requirement, local counsel manages the parts of the process that decide outcomes: Traditional Chinese translation of names, specifications and claims; substantive examination and office-action strategy; and strict deadline management. Getting these right is the difference between durable protection and an avoidable refusal.
What we handle
- Trademark prosecution and clearance searching
- Patent filing and prosecution — invention, utility model and design
- Office-action and refusal responses
- Oppositions, invalidations and non-use cancellations
- Freedom-to-operate (FTO) and infringement / validity analysis
- Portfolio management — renewals, annuities and recordals
- IP due diligence for investment, M&A and distributor agreements
- China trademark and patent filing, and China patent FTO, through our established China partner
- Technical and legal translation — English / Japanese to Traditional Chinese
Greater China coverage: Taiwan and China
Foreign companies and overseas firms often need Taiwan and China handled together. Beyond our Taiwan practice, we file China trademarks and patents and conduct China patent FTO through our established China partner — so you can coordinate Greater China IP through a single point of contact.
Our team includes a qualified PRC patent agent (中國專利代理人), giving you informed China patent judgment alongside our Taiwan local counsel.
How we work with overseas associates
For overseas firms, we are built to plug into the way you already work — a dependable Taiwan associate rather than a black box.
- A single, partner-level point of contact for every matter
- Conflict checks returned within 2 business days
- Fixed-fee quotes provided before filing
- Standardized reporting: filing receipt, office-action report, and clear recommendation
- Reliable docketing and deadline tracking across your portfolio
- Communication and reporting in English or Japanese
Choose your path
Whether you are a company protecting your own rights in Taiwan or a firm referring a matter, start here:
Common cross-border pitfalls
- Assuming a PCT application can enter the national phase in Taiwan — it cannot.
- Filing a Taiwan trademark without appointing the required local agent.
- Underestimating how Traditional Chinese translation affects patent claim scope.
- Ignoring first-to-file / bad-faith squatting risk before market entry.
- Missing the Paris Convention priority window when transitioning from a home filing.
Why WISECODE
We are large enough to be reliable and agile enough to answer fast — the combination overseas clients rarely get from the largest firms.
- Proven scale: 5,500+ IP cases across 90+ jurisdictions since 2016
- Business-oriented judgment: FTO, risk and strategy, not only filing
- Responsive by design: a mid-size team where you reach the people doing the work
- Multilingual: English, Japanese and Traditional Chinese
- Transparent: fixed-fee quotes and standardized reporting
Official references
Frequently asked questions
Do foreign companies need a local agent to file IP in Taiwan?
Generally yes. A foreign applicant with no domicile or business establishment in Taiwan must appoint a Taiwan-based agent to handle filing and prosecution before TIPO.
Is Taiwan a member of the PCT?
No. Taiwan is not a PCT member, so a PCT application cannot enter the national phase in Taiwan. Patents are filed directly with TIPO, claiming priority under the Paris Convention.
Can WISECODE act as the Taiwan associate for our firm?
Yes. We act as Taiwan local counsel for overseas firms across trademark and patent prosecution, office actions, oppositions, invalidations, renewals and FTO support, with English/Japanese reporting and fixed-fee transparency.
What languages do you work in?
English, Japanese and Traditional Chinese, for both communication and formal reporting.
Can you handle China IP as well as Taiwan?
Yes. Through our established China partner we file China trademarks and patents and handle China patent FTO, and our team includes a qualified PRC patent agent (中國專利代理人) — so you can coordinate Taiwan and China through a single point of contact.
How quickly do you respond to new inquiries?
We aim to respond to foreign inquiries within 2 business days.
Contact for foreign applicants
Tell us about your matter and we will respond with next steps and a fixed-fee quote. The more context you provide, the faster we can advise.
Helpful to include:
- Type of matter (trademark, patent, FTO, dispute)
- Jurisdiction of origin and any home filing details
- Relevant deadlines or priority dates
- A brief description of the mark, invention or product
Last updated: June 2026