将维权进行到底--罗正红博士
律师介绍：
罗正红律师代理的知识产权诉讼案件早在二十世纪九十年代就被媒体予以关注。1997年，罗正红律师代理侵害“蒙地卡罗”商标权及不正当竞争案（该案诉讼标的为1000万元人民币， 是当时广东省诉讼标的最大的知识产权诉讼案件），广州及香港媒体对该案予以报道。2005年2月，应中央电视台第九套英语“DIALOGUE”节目邀请讨论中国知识产权保护问题；2006年，管理的Louis Vuitton, Prada, Chanel, Burberry及Gucci诉北京秀水街及商户侵害商标权诉讼案件被海内外媒体广泛报道。2009年加入本土律师事务所以后，由于能直接出庭代理案件，罗正红律师代理案件的消息屡见媒体。2010年，代理Louis Vuitton诉北京雅秀市场及商户侵害商标权诉讼案件，北京电视台对法院开庭进行报道；2011年，代理Louis Vuitton诉大连胜利广场发展有限公司及商户侵害商标权诉讼案，代理Louis Vuitton诉大连温州城商贸有限公司及商户侵害商标权诉讼案，代理Louis Vuitton诉大连九州饭店有限公司侵害商标权诉讼案，及代理Louis Vuitton诉大连南山花园酒店有限公司侵害商标权诉讼案，大连市电视台对法院开庭审理进行录制，大连市十多家媒体连续三天旁听庭审，并对案件作广泛报道。2011年，代理伊莱克斯诉慈溪企业侵害商标权及不正当竞争案，慈溪媒体对法院开庭审理进行了全程录制并报道。2011年，代理微软公司诉国美电器公司侵犯著作权案及代理微软公司诉百脑汇侵犯著作权案，国内外几十家媒体予以报道。将维权进行到底--罗正红博士
业务领域：涉外知识产权
所在地区： 北京市 市辖区
所在机构：罗杰律师事务所
将 维 权 进 行 到 底
访全国杰出涉外知识产权律师——罗正红博士
编者按：
罗正红博士，安徽大别山区军人的后代，或许受军人长辈们的影响，造就了他缜密、干练、坚定的性格。性格决定命运、选择决定人生，他是一位以知识产权保护为事业的“中年老律师”。1966年出生，可谓“中年”；1991年中国人民大学知识产权专业毕业后，进入中美合资企业北京-奥克兰建筑防水材料有限公司担任首席法律顾问，开始走出知识产权保护的第一步，并于1994年通过律师资格考试，可谓资格够“老”。如果你在互联网上搜索“罗正红”或“罗正红律师”或“罗正红博士”，你会发现，这个名字和LOUIS VUITTON(法国殿堂级品牌路易·威登)、GUCCI(意大利古琦)、CHANEL(法国香奈儿)、PRADA（意大利普拉达）等欧洲高知名度品牌经常联系在一起。罗正红律师就是当年在欧洲高知名度品牌诉北京秀水街商标侵权诉讼律师团队中的主管律师，该案是全国首起追究市场开办单位/管理单位与售假摊位共同承担连带民事责任的案件，在国内外引起重大反响及媒体的广泛关注，被最高人民法院评为2006年全国十大知识产权诉讼案件；在欧美23家高知名度品牌权利人在北京、上海、广州及深圳四城市联合维权行动中，罗正红律师提供了知识产权保护策略与建议。在案件办理过程中接受了中国日报、中国工商报及上海东方卫视等媒体采访。
世界未来的竞争就是知识产权的竞争,国务院总理温家宝曾经强调，要加大知识产权保护力度……这表明中国政府加强、重视知识产权保护的决心。业内有人士说知识产权保护就是“没有硝烟的战争”，本人也有共识，但若要感同身受，还是让这场场“战争”的“主角”来为我们讲述他如何成长为涉外知识产权律师及法学博士的心路历程吧！
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人物介绍：
罗正红律师，中国人民大学知识产权专业法学博士、知识产权专业法学学士，英国伦敦大学国王学院知识产权专业法学硕士，英国伦敦大学访问学者，美国 Franklin Pierce Law Center 知识产权法进修律师。罗正红律师是罗杰（名称变更前为翔鲲）律师事务所主任，北京市律师协会商标专业委员会副主任，中国人民大学知识产权学院发展委员会副主任及法学院法律硕士兼职导师，中国政法大学无形资产管理研究中心研究员，中华人民共和国商标代理人，中欧仲裁中心及北京仲裁委员会仲裁员。
罗正红律师曾是英国鸿鹄律师事务所 (Bird & Bird)合伙人(Partner Equivalent) (该所160年以来首位且至今唯一一位被聘为合伙人的中国律师)，国际商标协会反假冒委员会中国区主席，中国外商投资企业协会优质品牌保护委员会（QBPC）副主席，摩托罗拉中国电子有限公司北亚区知识产权总监，美国贝克?麦坚时律师事务所高级知识产权律师，香港永新专利商标代理有限公司涉外商标代理人,及中美合资企业北京-奥克兰建筑防水材料有限公司首席法律顾问（1991-1993）。
罗正红律师代理的知识产权诉讼案件早在二十世纪九十年代就被媒体予以关注。1997年，罗正红律师代理侵害“蒙地卡罗”商标权及不正当竞争案（该案诉讼标的为1000万元人民币， 是当时广东省诉讼标的最大的知识产权诉讼案件），广州及香港媒体对该案予以报道。2005年2月，应中央电视台第九套英语“DIALOGUE”节目邀请讨论中国知识产权保护问题；2006年，管理的Louis Vuitton, Prada, Chanel, Burberry及Gucci诉北京秀水街及商户侵害商标权诉讼案件被海内外媒体广泛报道。2009年加入本土律师事务所以后，由于能直接出庭代理案件，罗正红律师代理案件的消息屡见媒体。2010年，代理Louis Vuitton诉北京雅秀市场及商户侵害商标权诉讼案件，北京电视台对法院开庭进行报道；2011年，代理Louis Vuitton诉大连胜利广场发展有限公司及商户侵害商标权诉讼案，代理Louis Vuitton诉大连温州城商贸有限公司及商户侵害商标权诉讼案，代理Louis Vuitton诉大连九州饭店有限公司侵害商标权诉讼案，及代理Louis Vuitton诉大连南山花园酒店有限公司侵害商标权诉讼案，大连市电视台对法院开庭审理进行录制，大连市十多家媒体连续三天旁听庭审，并对案件作广泛报道。2011年，代理伊莱克斯诉慈溪企业侵害商标权及不正当竞争案，慈溪媒体对法院开庭审理进行了全程录制并报道。2011年，代理微软公司诉国美电器公司侵犯著作权案及代理微软公司诉百脑汇侵犯著作权案，国内外几十家媒体予以报道。
罗正红律师经常被邀参加中外知识产权保护论坛并发表演讲。应邀为中美商会(AmCham)、欧盟商会、国际反假冒联盟（IACC）、日本贸易振兴机构(JETRO)等协会讲授知识产权保护策略及执法实务;应英国《知识产权管理》(Managing Intellectual Property)杂志邀请,在2007年12月小型知识产权圆桌会议上讲授知识产权保护和管理经验;多次应邀参加美国使馆知识产权圆桌会议；多年应美国Franklin Pierce Law Center法学院William O.Hennessey教授的邀请,用英语在清华大学法学院为来自美国、加拿大、意大利等国家法学院的学生讲授中国知识产权保护中的法律问题及策略;应香港浸会大学、中国人民大学、北京大学、复旦大学及华东政法学院的邀请,为MBA及法律硕士生讲授中国知识产权保护中的法律实务。
罗正红律师被世界著名法律评价机构如Who’s Who Legal, World Trademark Review 及Chambers & Partners评为中国领军式知识产权律师(leading IP lawyer in China)。英国著名法律评价机构钱伯斯（Chambers & Partners）评价道：罗正红律师“有17年知识产权保护经验，及时回复客户咨询、并且专业。众所周知，罗正红律师在知识产权诉讼及与国际品牌公司合作经验方面非常著名。”客户赞赏他的“有建设性的法律见解及通晓法律”。“罗正红律师精于商标保护业务，重点保护在中国的外国品牌。”同行们赞赏他“在知识产权诉讼方面非常强”。“该律所的法律意见务实、非常有帮助。”“该所提供国际级的法律服务。”Legal 500杂志评价道：高度推荐管理合伙人罗正红律师，他代理了几个有重大影响力的项目，旨在打击假冒侵权。他的律师团队最近代理Louis Vuitton, Burberry 及Gucci等高知名度品牌忙于对假冒侵权人提起诉讼，进行维权。
青年志向，考取大学
1985年，19岁的罗正红正在挑灯夜读，酣战书场，他有自己的目标和理想，那就是考上大学，改变自己的命运。功夫不负有心人，当收到安徽师范大学英美语言文学系录取通知书时，全家人高兴的心情溢于言表，罗正红本人当然更是欣慰，因为付出得到了回报，就如他自己的座右铭：“知识改变命运，一步一步往前走，永不停息”。其实，罗正红是从1981年上高一时才真正开始学习英语课程的，这也是当年的教育体制始然。根据史料记载，建国初期，全国统一开设俄语，英语根本没有地位可言，更谈不上英语教育了。自1952年开始，国内掀起了一场批判亲美、崇美、恐美的群众运动。这一运动直接给英语教育罩上了一层阴影。人们认为，学习敌人的语言就是不爱国的表现。因此，英语教育逐渐从课堂上消失了。1953年的两次全国高校院系大调整、大合并之后，全国高校只剩下9个英语教学点，英语教学从此走向低潮。1966年“文化大革命”开始，英语教育受到了前所未有的破坏。直到1978年恢复高考制度后，特别是1978年中国共产党的十一届三中全会以来，外语教才发生了日新月异的变化，英语教育呈现出前所未有的欣欣向荣的新局面。高一时，受到英语老师的影响，罗正红对英语产生了浓厚的兴趣，高一年级学完了初中六册英语课本，1984年第一次参加高考，英语考了76分，罗正红没有气馁，1985年再次参加高考，英语考试满分是100分，他考了96分，真是功夫不负有心人!
不安分的心，走进首都
1989年，对于一个已经大学毕业，而且拥有英语本科学位的人来说，应该是众星捧月、万众瞩目式的人物，多少人都羡慕不已的专业啊！此时的罗正红完全可以找一个不错的工作，过自己的小日子，但他没有，他追求更高目标，学习更多知识，实现更远大的理想。1989年春节期间，也是研究生考试冲刺之时，宿舍里7位有共同志向的年轻人，在大部分同学都已回老家过春节之时，他们仍在校园学习，真的是彻夜苦读，但他们很快乐。那一年，10个室友中有6位同学当年考上了更高的学府，另1个室友第二年也考取了北京的学府。罗正红当年考取了中国人民大学法学院知识产权专业第二学士学位班，第一次走进了“首都”学习知识产权法，从此与知识产权结缘。据悉，1989年全国有500多名本科生报考中国人民大学知识产权专业第二学士学位班，而录取名额不足30人。真的是选择决定了人生！当我问罗正红博士，为什么当时选择知识产权法时，罗正红博士很恬淡的回答：“当时就是觉得这个专业很有前途”。目标非常明确。曾国藩家书中也曾有“致诸弟?勉励君子应早立志……。”年轻人要早立志、立大志、立实志、立长志，方可不虚此生。在笔者的人生道路中，对于自己人生的选择，困惑了很久，但在罗正红博士的心中，这每一个选择，都是坚定的、执着的。
北京的日子，孜孜以求
1991年，25岁的罗正红从中国人民大学毕业，在北京被中美合资企业北京-奥克兰建筑防水材料有限公司录用，担任首席法律顾问，开始了打假维权的第一步。1993年离开奥克兰到永新专利代理有限公司开始从事涉外知识产权代理工作，专做商标代理业务。值得一提的是，永新专利商标代理有限公司成立于1987年，是由中国国务院指定的最早4家有资格代理外国申请人在中国申请专利和商标的涉外专利商标代理公司之一。1993年，罗正红的月收入已超3000元，在当时应该算是高收入了，但这颗不安分的心又要向更高的目标追逐、奋进了。罗正红立志成为一名诉讼大律师。司法考试因通过率极低而被称为“中国第一难考”。“考取律师资格，让业务面更宽，人生的路更广”。1994年8月，罗正红毅然辞去永新的工作，破釜沉舟，全力以赴备战律考。经过二个月的奋战，以253分的成绩通过考试，最终如愿以偿。据查，1993年北京律考通过分数线为200分，1994年提高至240分。253分已是相当优异的成绩。1994年罗正红进入北京市北斗律师事务所成为一名诉讼律师的助理。北斗律师事务所也是中国创办最早、最具规模的综合大型合伙制律师事务所之一。北斗所主要业务领域为诉讼业务。北斗所当时的主要合伙人包括从全国四级人民法院辞职的法官。在北斗所，罗正红见识了大律师的风采，学习和体会了处理案件的综合技巧和经验，更重要的是认识到并坚定了自己从事涉外律师业务的方向。
羽翼丰满，南下广州
1997年，罗正红，这个不安分但又目标明确、坚定的年青律师来到了中国改革的前沿——广州。
中国天诚广州公司诉“蒙地卡罗”山庄侵权案（千万元商标侵权案，是当时广东省诉讼标的最大的知识产权案件）正是由罗正红律师主办的。罗正红律师缜密的分析和执业水平得到同行赞许。众多媒体的跟进报道，也使罗正红律师在知识产权界小有名气。
发挥英语专长，走进国际大所
1999年，在由司法部组织、英国政府资助的“年青律师培训项目” 全国律师选拔中胜出，罗正红律师与其他11位年青律师被选派到英国深造。罗正红律师在伦敦大学、英国丹顿浩国际律师事务所及 The Chamber of Christopher Morcom Q.C 大律师行学习欧洲的知识产权法，向他们学习知识产权诉讼经验，见识了英国诉讼大律师的风采。罗正红律师的诉讼导师Christopher Morcom Q.C 是英国相当有名的御用诉讼大律师。他的律师行处理了很多在英国有相当影响力的知识产权诉讼案件。在临别时，他将他的著作 “The Modern Law of Trade Marks”赠与年青的中国律师，并勉励他深入钻研知识产权法。2000年伦敦大学毕业后，罗正红律师加入美国贝克?麦坚时律师事务所知识产权部，年薪是出国前的三倍多，一干就是6年半。贝克?麦坚时成为罗正红律师人生里程中一个重大飞跃。贝克?麦坚时在每年亚太区知识产权业务评比中都是第一，代理欧美顶尖公司在亚太地区的知识产权保护策略建议及维权事宜。当时的主管合伙人是拥有近二十年知识产权经验的美国大律师—谢西哲（Joseph Simone），现在互联网上搜索还能看到这位美国律师在中外知识产权领域参加众多活动的身影和精彩的瞬间。毫无疑问，国际所的工作语言是英语。贝克?麦坚时的工作经历对锤炼罗正红律师从事的涉外知识产权业务至关重要。
国际高知名度品牌维权代理人
2006年3月28日,在众多媒体及外国驻华使节的见证下，北京公开处理了三十件侵犯知识产权的典型案件。在会上，北京市副市长吉林首次点名，把北京著名的秀水市场等地区列为今后重点监控的地区。一场知识产权保护的风暴刮至，2006年4月18日，世界五大著名品牌告秀水街售假侵权案终审胜诉，北京市高级人民法院判令5名在秀水市场售假的商户和秀水街服装市场有限公司共同赔偿5大名牌各两万元，并立即停止侵权。
据介绍，这五大著名奢侈品公司分别是（法国LV）路易威登马利蒂、（意大利GUCCI）古乔古希股份公司、（英国BURBERRY）勃贝雷有限公司、（卢森堡PRADA）普拉达公司和（法国CHANEL）香奈儿。
2005年4月至10月间，上述5家世界著名品牌公司分三次在秀水市场购买了带有其知名标识的皮包等，并进行了公证。他们为此起诉销售假冒商品的商户及秀水街市场，认为其拥有注册商标专用权的品牌箱包商品被假冒，给商标权人带来重大经济损失，造成恶劣影响，要求法院判令被告立即停止侵权行为，共同赔偿5原告经济损失各50万元人民币，共计250万元人民币。
2005年12月，北京市第二中级人民法院作出一审判决，认定位于秀水服装市场的个体摊贩销售了带有假冒“CHANEL”等商标标识的手包、钱包等，应当承担侵权责任。秀水街公司虽然为防止侵犯他人注册商标专用权的行为采取了一定的措施，但是其对售假商户侵权行为所采取的防治措施不及时。秀水街公司应对此造成的侵权后果承担连带的法律责任。故判决5商户和秀水街公司共同赔偿香奈儿等公司10万元，并立即停止侵权行为。秀水街公司不服一审判决，提起上诉。
北京市高级人民法院终审认为，秀水街公司有权而且有义务对市场进行管理及对商户出售商品的种类、质量等进行监督，制止、杜绝制假售假现象。故意为侵犯他人注册商标专用权行为提供仓储、运输、邮寄、隐匿等便利条件的行为属于侵犯他人商标专用权的行为。因此判令秀水街公司和5位经销户共同承担连带责任。
代理法国LV、意大利GUCCI、英国BURBERRY、卢森堡PRADA、法国CHANEL维权的律师团队的主管律师就是罗正红律师，该案是全国首起追究市场开办单位/管理单位与售假摊位共同承担连带民事责任的案件，在国内外引起重大反响及媒体的广泛关注，被最高人民法院列为2006年全国十大知识产权案件。
以刑事手段为主进行知识产权保护的倡导者，走进世界500强、手机巨头——摩托罗拉
2004年，最高人民法院、最高人民检察院出台有关知识产权刑事保护的司法解释，明确了知识产权刑事保护的数额标准，界定了知识产权刑事保护的门槛，侵犯知识产权情节严重的，可追究刑事责任。
2007年，罗正红律师又开始了新的征程和新的选择，他走进了世界500强、手机巨头——摩托罗拉，担任摩托罗拉北亚区知识产权总监。“一定要加强知识产权刑事保护，只有加强刑事保护才有威慑力”——罗正红说。2007年上任摩托罗拉后，罗正红律师一年内请求公安部门办理了20余件侵犯知识产权刑事案件，查处、拘留了销售造假手机34人，工商部门做了100多个行政查处。还有一个重大案件，当时在广东省公安厅的指挥下，广州市公安局出动了100多个公安人员对7个窝点进行查处，抓获了10个犯罪嫌疑人，现场查扣的手机货值达几百万元人民币之多。在2007年,查扣假冒手机产品的货值总额达1400万美元，罗正红律师受到摩托罗拉美国总部全球法律总顾问的高度评价。
成为国际律师事务所的分红合伙人，实现了人身价值升华
2008年8月，罗正红律师应邀加盟英国鸿鹄律师事务所，成为该所160年以来首位且至今唯一一位被聘为合伙人的中国律师，在业界引起震动。众所周知，国际律师事务所对晋升合伙人有严格的规定。一般国际律师事务所对合伙人分为两个级别： 薪水合伙人及分红合伙人。欧美律师一般需工作七到十年且优异者方能晋升为薪水合伙人，再工作若干年且业绩优异者，方能晋升为分红合伙人。中国律师在国际律师事务所晋升合伙人之路非常不易。正因为如此，当英国鸿鹄律师事务所以分红合伙人的职位邀请罗正红律师加入并主管其亚太区知识产权维权业务时， 他义无反顾地接受了邀约，接受了更大的挑战。在世界金融危机之时，罗正红律师顶住了压力，在律师业务方面开辟出一块新天地。
回归本土律师事务所，成为青年律师的榜样
罗正红律师立志成为一名学者型律师。曾受国家留学基金委员会的委派并资助以访问学者的身份赴英国伦敦大学留学，并在伦敦大学国王学院攻读知识产权专业法学硕士学位，学成后于2002年在中国人民大学法学院攻读知识产权专业博士学位，师从我国首席知识产权教授刘春田导师，于2008年通过博士论文答辩。其博士论文“商标权刑事保护研究”从理论及实务方面阐明商标权刑事保护的必要性及适度性。伦敦大学硕士论文“The Protection of Well-Known Marks in China”对驰名商标保护进行中外比较研究。其他论文“假冒行为的经济分析”发表于《人民司法》(国家核心期刊)2008年第3期，“零售市场中的商标权保护--市场管理单位和摊主的法律责任”发表于《电子知识产权》2008年第3期，“英美商标权刑事保护”发表于《中华商标》2008年第3期，“China Revises Its Trademark Law”发表于英国学术期刊《Intellectual Property Quarterly》2000年第2期。获得博士学位后，罗正红博士决定将理论与实践相结合。在诉讼领域方面，由于在国际律师事务所不能直接出庭代理案件，罗正红博士于2009年加盟北京罗杰律师事务所任主任，并与鸿鹄律师事务所正式联营，获得北京市司法局批准。回到中国律师所后，他更忙了，许多国际公司慕名而来，聘用罗正红博士及其团队进行知识产权维权。其客户包括Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci, Prada, Burberry, Ermenegildo Zegna, Microsoft, Electrolux, Pandora, GE Corporate, Motorola, Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Rotork, Life Technologies, Autoliv, Volvo, Johnson Electric Group, Energizer, Novenco, Lagostina, SD3C, Hansen, Juniper Networks, Hasbro及日本公司等。在2011年，罗正红博士及其团队在全国提起了100多件涉外知识产权诉讼案件。由其管理的北京罗杰律师事务所被英国著名法律评价机构钱伯斯（Chambers & Partners）提名为“年度最佳中国精品律师事务所”, 是唯一一家获得此项提名的知识产权律师事务所。罗杰律师事务所于1998年成立，现已发展成为一家在知识产权领域始终保持领先地位的涉外律师事务所。
罗正红博士在给法学院的莘莘学子们讲课时，经常讲到：“‘知识改变命运’，我真诚的希望年轻一代及未来的律师学好外语。如果你申请我所律师职位，我考核你们的不是看你法律功底有多深，而是看你英语水平有多高。只有具有良好的外语水平，才能借助此工具开阔你的视野，提高对外交流能力，才能做好涉外知识产权的保护工作”。这就是罗正红博士，一个经历了各种磨练、成功的律师，对青年学子、青年律师真诚、殷切的期望……
结语：
本人有幸，得到罗正红博士允许接受我们的采访。以上是本人于2011年12月2日在国贸大厦罗杰律师事务所办公室内目睹、聆听、感受了罗正红博士的每一个回忆的片段，每一个精彩的瞬间……
人生对于罗正红博士来说，只有过程，没有终点.还是用他那句座右铭为本次的采访划个句号吧：“一步一步往前走，永不停息”。采访结束，我还沉浸在这位温文儒雅的国际知识产权大律师的“战争经历”和成长历程中不能自拔……他是青年学子、青年律师学习的榜样，同样也是我的榜样和一生的朋友。
2011年12月2日晚（今天是首都冬季首场雪）
Insisting on IP Protection
An Interview with the
Outstanding Foreign-Related IP Lawyer
—Dr. James Luo
Editor’s Note: Doctor James Luo is the son of a veteran from the Dabie mountain area of AnhuiProvince. It is, perhaps, due to his having been raised by veteran elders that he cultivated such a meticulous, capable and steadfast character. Character determines one’s destiny, and choices decide one’s life. Born in 1966, and now middle-aged, he is senior lawyer focused on IP protection. Upon graduation from
Market competition in the future will revolve largely around IP protection. Premier Wen Jiabao stressed the importance of strengthening IP protection––exemplifying the Chinese government’s determination battle IP infringement. Some insiders say that IP protection is a “white war”. While I personally agree on this point of view, to understand the actual experience of this “war”, we would like to invite the “hero” to share with us his experience of how he came to be a foreign-related IP lawyer and PhD in IP.
Brief Introduction
James Luo is the Managing Partner of Lawjay Partners, Vice Chairman of the Trademark Committee of Beijing Bar Association, Vice Director of the Development Committee under the Intellectual Property Institute of Renmin University, LLM Supervisor at RenminUniversity - School of Law, PRC Trademark Agent, and Arbitrator at the Chinese-EuropeanArbitrationCenter and Beijing Arbitration Commission. He received his PhD in IP and LLB in IP at RenminUniversity, and his LLM in IP at King’s College London - the University of London. He has also engaged scholastically as a visiting scholar to the University of London, and as a researcher in IP at FranklinPierceLawCenter. Additionally, he holds a BA in English from AnhuiNormalUniversity (1989).
James Luo was IP Partner Equivalent at Bird & Bird (he is the first and (to date) only Chinese lawyer to be hired as Partner in the full 160 year history of the firm), Chairman of China’s Sub-Committee of INTA’s Anti-Counterfeiting Committee, Vice Chairman of Quality Brands Protection Committee (QBPC) (2008-2010) (QBPC has over 200 MNCs as its members), IP Director for North Asia at Motorola China, Senior IP Associate at Baker & McKenzie Hong Kong and Beijing (2000-2007), Visiting IP Lawyer at Denton Hall Beijing Office, Trademark Agent at NTD Trademark and Patent Agency Ltd., and Chief Legal Counsel at Beijing-Oakland Water Proof Building Materials Co., Ltd. (1991-1993).
As early as the 1990s, Lawyer James Luo was already a familiar personality in national media, having drawn attention through high-profile IP lawsuits. In 1997, he managed the trademark infringement and unfair competition lawsuit against Monte Carlo Villa (with the amount of claim being 10 million RMB, making it the largest IP lawsuit in GuangdongProvince at that time), attracting both Guangdong and Hong Kong media.
In February of 2005, he was invited by CCTV9’s “Dialogue” program to discuss IP protection issues; in 2006, the lawsuits against the Beijing Silk Market and its vendors, on behalf of Louis Vuitton, Prada, Chanel, Burberry and Gucci, for trademark infringement, were widely covered by domestic and foreign media. In 2010, he managed the trademark infringement lawsuit against Beijing’s Yashow Market and its vendors on behalf of Louis Vuitton, where BTV reported on the court sessions; in 2011, he acted again on behalf of Louis Vuitton in their legal efforts against Dalian Shengli Square Development Co., Ltd., Dalian Wenzhou Town Trading Co., Ltd., and Dalian Jiuzhou Hotel and its relevant vendors, for infringement of the trademark. These cases were reported extensively by Dalian TV and were reported on by more than ten media outlets in Dalian during the three days of court proceedings. In 2011, he took charge of the case against enterprises in Cixi for trademark infringement and unfair competition, on behalf of Electrolux. The case hearings were recorded and thoroughly covered by Cixi media. In the same year, he represented Microsoft against Gome Electrical Appliances Holding Limited, and in another case against Buynow, for copyright infringement, which triggered reports by dozens of international and domestic media.
James Luo is often invited to attend and address international and domestic IP protection forums. He has been invited to lecture at AmCham, the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China (EUCCC), the International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition (IACC), and the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), where he spoke on IP protection strategies and enforcement practices. He was invited by the British magazine Managing Intellectual Property in December of 2007 to speak at a small-scale round-table conference on IP instruction. He has been invited to attend the US Ambassador IP roundtable on several occasions, has been invited by Professor William O. Hennessey of Franklin Pierce Law Center to lecture to law students from the US, Canada, Italy and other countries, on legal issues and strategies in IP protection in China, at Tsinghua University School of Law. He has also instructed MBAs and LLMs in legal practices concerning IP protection in China, on invitation by such institutions as Hong Kong Baptist University, Renmin University of China, Peking University, Fudan University and East China University of Political Science and Law.
James Luo is considered one of China’s leading IP lawyers by many world-famous legal review institutions, including Who’s Who Legal, World Trademark Review and Chambers & Partners. Renowned British legal review institution Chambers & Partners has noted that “With 17 years' experience, the “commercial, responsive and professional" “James Luo is well-known for his work in IP litigation and in his experience of working with international brands. Clients appreciate his “constructive advice and sound knowledge of the law.” "The firm's advice is very helpful and practical.” “This compact yet formidable team provides advice at an international level.”
“James Luo is highly knowledgeable and experienced in trade mark matters, and focuses on the protection of foreign brands in China.” "He is extremely strong and solid in IP litigation."
Legal 500 has also spoken highly of James Luo, and reported that “Highly recommended managing partner James Luo has acted on a number of high-profile projects aimed at tackling counterfeiting and the team has recently been busy acting in enforcement proceedings and litigations against offending counterfeiters of top luxury brands including Louis Vuitton, Burberry and Gucci.”
An Ambitious Youth Delivered Him to University
In 1985, 19-year-old James Luo was studying diligently and working towards his ideal of attending university and commandeering his destiny. His hard work paid off. When he received the admission notice from the Anhui Normal University, the delight of his family members shone in their faces. He himself also felt gratified at the recognition of his efforts, and pleased that they have not been made in vain, which strengthened his faith in his maxim that “Knowledge changes one’s destiny, and that one should keep moving forward, step-by-step, forever.”
As a result of the educational system in place during his youth, he hadn’t properly learned English until his arrival at high school. According to historical records, in the early days of the People’s Republic of China, all schools offered Russian courses exclusively, leaving no place for English in the Chinese school curriculum. In 1952, a mass movement had taken root in China, which criticized favoring, worshipping or fearing America. This movement cast a long shadow over English education within the country. People believed that learning the language of the enemy was an embodiment of not loving their motherland. As a result, English education gradually disappeared from classrooms. After the two big adjustments and consolidations of schools and departments in universities and colleges, in 1953, there were only 9 English teaching schools nationwide. It was at this point that English teaching began the descent into its lowest period. Then, in 1966, when the Great Cultural Revolution began, English education suffered unprecedented damage and it wasn’t until the reinstatement of the college entrance examination system in 1978, and especially after the Third Plenary Session of the Eleventh Central Committee of the CCP, that great changes took place in the realm of English education in China.
While in Grade One of senior high school, James Luo developed a strong interest in English, thanks to the influence of his English teacher, and finished within one year the six volumes of English textbooks required by his middle school. In 1984, he took part in the college entrance examination for the first time and was able to earn 76 out of 100 possible points in the English portion. In spite of this, he did not lose heart. In 1985, he participated in the college entrance examination once again and, this time, received a score of 96. Good things come to those who persevere.
A Restless Heart Brought Him to the Capital
In 1989, as a graduate with a bachelor’s degree in English, James Luo was an eye-catching figure with an admired major. At that time, James Luo could easily find a decent job and lived a cozy and happy life, but decided not to follow that path, as he wanted to pursue higher goals, obtain more knowledge, and pursue the realization of even greater ideals. The spring festival season in 1989 was known as the “sprint period” for postgraduate qualifying examinations. Seven roommates with a common ambition stayed on campus over the holiday while others went home to spend the time with their families. They studied day and night and enjoyed a kind of happiness in their studies. That year, 6 of his 10 roommates were enrolled in graduate schools and another one attended university in Beijing the following year. It was in that year when James Luo was admitted to the second bachelor degree program for IP majors at Renmin University. This move would lay the foundation for a career in IP law and bring him to the capital. It has been reported that, in 1989, more than 500 college graduates from around China registered for the second bachelor degree program but less than 30 were admitted. We have to acknowledge that it is one’s choices that decide one’s destiny.
When I asked Doctor James Luo why he had chosen IP law, he answered calmly, “I just felt that this major was promising at that time.” His goal was very clear, which echoes the line in Zeng Guofan’s Home Letters that, “My brothers shall bear in mind that a gentleman shall set his aspiration early in his life….” Young people shall set lofty, practical and long-term aspirations early in their lives, so that they will not live a life in vain. Perhaps ironically, the author is known to have been perpetually confused about his own choices in life, and it may be that this experience brought him to the realization that one should not waste his days with inaction and without purpose. The choices of Doctor Luo, to the contrary, were firm and persistent.
Striving Towards Higher Goals in Beijing
In 1991, when the 25-year-old James Luo graduated from Renmin University, he was recruited by the Sino-American joint venture Beijing-Oakland Water Proof Building Materials Co., Ltd. and assumed the position of Chief Legal Counsel, taking his first steps in IP protection and cracking down on counterfeit goods. In 1993, he left Oakland and joined NTD Trademark and Patent Agency Ltd. to engage himself in foreign-related IP and focus on trademark protection. It should be noted that, as it was founded in 1987, NTD Trademark and Patent Agency Ltd. was one of the first four foreign-related patent and trademark agencies designated by the State Council and qualified to act on behalf of foreign applicants seeking to apply for patents and trademarks in China.
In 1993, James Luo’s monthly income exceeded 3,000 RMB, which was a really booming income at the time. However, his restless heart had found a higher goal to pursue and strove for it. James Luo was determined to become a great litigation lawyer. The bar examination is known as the “most difficult exam in China” for its extremely low pass rate. In spite of this, James Luo decided to obtain his qualifications in the belief that “[the certificate] would expand both his business and life.” In August of 1994, James Luo resolutely resigned from NTD and concentrated his efforts on preparing for the bar examination. After two months’ effort he passed the exam with a score of 253. According to our investigation, the passing score in 1993 was 200, and in 1994, the score was increased to 240. Therefore, his score of 253 represents a notably superior performance.
In 1994, he entered Beijing Beidou Law Firm where he became a litigation lawyer assistant. Beijing Beidou Law Firm is one of the earliest and largest comprehensive partnership law firms in China, with its business focusing on litigation practices. The firm’s main partners at that time included judges who had resigned from national courts at all four levels. In the firm, James Luo had been amply exposed to great lawyers, and learned extensive integrated case handling skills. More importantly, he strengthened his development as a foreign-related lawyer.
Coming to Guangzhou as a Full-fledged Lawyer
In 1997, he was a lawyer with a restless heart, but with a clear and firm goal. It was in that year that he made a move to Guangzhou, the forefront of China’s reform.
When China Tiancheng Company brought a lawsuit against Monte Carlo Villa for trademark infringement and unfair competition, James Luo took charge of the case. His prudent analyses and professional practices were spoken highly of by his peers. With Hong Kong and Guangzhou media outlets reporting on this and other lawsuits, he gradually became famous within IP circles.
Utilizing English to Enter International Law Firms
In 1999, he stood out amongst his peers in the national lawyer selection process for the “Young PRC Lawyers Practical Training Scheme”, organized by the Ministry of Justice and sponsored by the British Government, and was sent to Britain for advanced studies together with 11 other young lawyers. James Luo studied European IP law at the University of London, Denton Wildsapte London office and the Chamber of Christopher Morcom Q.C, gaining IP knowledge and litigation experience from them and exposing himself to renowned British litigation lawyers. James Luo’s litigation tutor was Christopher Morcom Q.C, who was a then-famous barrister in Britain. His chamber had coped with many influential IP litigation cases in Britain. Just before parting, he presented his monograph The Modern Law of Trade Marks to the young Chinese lawyer as a gift and encouraged them to submerge themselves into IP law. In 2000 when he graduated from the University of London, he joined the IP Department of Baker & McKenzie, where he would work for the following six and a half years. His service in Baker & McKenzie constitutes a great leap forward in his life. Baker & McKenzie consistently outshines competitors in annual IP business comparisons and appraisals in the Asia-Pacific region. They helped European and American companies to develop their IP strategies and provided suggestions in Asia-Pacific to help them safeguard their legitimate rights and interests. At that time, the partner supervising James Luo at Baker & McKenzie was Joseph Simone, an American lawyer with about twenty years of IP experiences. We can still find this American lawyer engaged in numerous activities within Chinese and foreign IP circles today, and catch a glimpse of his brilliance. Of course, the working language in the international firm was English. James Luo’s work experience at Baker & McKenzie played a vital role in tempering the foreign-related IP business he is now engaged in.
Becoming an Internationally Known Brand Rights Safeguarding Agent
On March 28, 2006, Beijing publicly handled 20 typical IP infringement cases, under the watchful eye of numerous media and foreign ambassadors in China. Vice Mayor of Beijing Municipality Mr. Ji Lin listed the Beijing Silk Market and other markets as areas to be strictly monitored thereafter, which led to a storm of IP protection suits in China. On April 18, 2006, the five famous brands won their lawsuits against the Beijing Silk Market for selling fake goods, under the ruling of the Beijing Higher People’s Court, which ordered five vendors selling fake goods at the Beijing Silk Market, as well as the market initiator/market management company itself, to jointly compensate each of the five brands 20,000 RMB and immediately stop their infringing acts.
As was introduced above, the five famous luxury brands involved in this case were: Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Burberry, Prada and Chanel.
From April to October 2005, these world-class companies visited the Beijing Silk Market on three separate occasions and purchased leather bags with their well-known trademarks. Based on these purchases, they took the vendors and the Beijing Silk Market to court for selling fake goods. The companies argued that the branded bags and cases, protected under exclusive registered trademark use rights, were counterfeited and that such infringement brought great economic losses to the brand as well as other adverse effects. They required the court to order the defendants to immediately stop their infringing acts and demanded loss compensation from each of the five plaintiffs in the amount of 500,000 RMB, with a total case amount of 2.5 million RMB.
In December 2005, Beijing’s No. 2 Intermediate People’s Court made the first instance judgment, confirming the joint tort liability of individual vendors and the Beijing Silk Market for selling counterfeits. Although the Beijing Silk Market company took some measures against acts that infringe others’ exclusive rights to registered trademarks, it failed to carry out the preventive measures at the appropriate time. As a result, the Beijing Silk Market company undertook joint legal responsibility for consequences of the infringement. For these reasons, the court condemned the five vendors and the Beijing Silk Market company to jointly pay 100,000 RMB compensation to the plaintiffs, and immediately stop such infringing activities. The Beijing Silk Market company appealed to a higher court against the first instance judgment.
Beijing Higher People’s Court stated in its final verdict that the Beijing Silk Market company shall have the right and obligation to manage the market, supervise the varieties and quality of commodities sold by vendors at the market, and prevent and eradicate the sale of counterfeit goods. Additionally, providing infringers who are engaged in the infringement of the exclusive use rights of another’s registered trademarks with storage, transportation, posting, concealing and other facilitating conditions shall constitute an act of infringement. Finally, the court ordered the Beijing Silk Market company and the five vendors to assume joint and several liabilities.
The legal team, under James Luo, safeguarded the legitimate rights and interests of the foreign brands, and the cases were the first to hold the market initiator/market management company and stalls offering counterfeit products for joint civil liability. The ruling drew huge attention from international and domestic press and was recognized by the Supreme People’s Court as one of the Top Ten IP Litigation Cases of 2006 in China.
Carrying out IP Protection by Means of Criminal Enforcement
Motorola – Fortune 500 and Handset Giant
In 2004, the Supreme People’s Court and the Supreme People’s Procuratorate passed judicial interpretations on criminal protection of IP, which defined the numerical standard and the threshold for criminal protection of IP, allowing for investigation of criminal responsibilities in cases of gross violations of IP rights.
2007 saw Lawyer James Luo began a new chapter when he joined Motorola, a Fortune 500 company and handset giant, and assumed the responsibilities of IP Director for North Asia. “We must strengthen criminal protection of IP, as only by doing so can IP protection represent a deterrent force,” said James Luo. After he took office at Motorola in 2007, Lawyer James Luo requested the public security department to deal with more than 20 criminal cases concerning IP and prompted the industry and commerce administration to launch more than 100 administrative investigations in that year, resulting in the detainment of 34 persons marketing fake mobile phones. Among these, there was one major case in particular. At the command of Guangdong Provincial Public Security Department, Guangzhou Public Security Bureau dispatched more than 100 public security officers to investigate 7 dens for producing fake mobile phones, which resulted in the capture of 10 criminal suspects. In 2007, the total annual value of fake Motorola phones seized in China amounted to 14 million USD. For his efforts, Lawyer James Luo was spoken highly of by Motorola’s Global General Counsel.
Becoming Equity Partner Equivalent of an International Law Firm, Realizing Personal Value
In August 2008, Lawyer James Luo joined Bird & Bird, upon invitation, and became the first and (to date) only Chinese lawyer ever hired as Equity Partner, attracting much attention from the industry. It is well-known that international law firms have very strict regulations regarding promotions to partner positions. Generally, partners in international law firms fall into two categories: Salary Partners and Equity Partners. European and American lawyers have to work for 7 to 10 years with excellent performance to be promoted to Salary Partners, and only after they continually achieve outstanding results for another several years, can they advance to Equity Partners. A Chinese lawyer’s promotion to partner at foreign law firm is even more strenuous. For just this reason, when Bird & Bird invited James Luo to join the firm as an Equity Partner Equivalent and take charge of IP enforcement practices in Asia-Pacific, he accepted the invitation as well as the many, great challenges that the position brought with it, without hesitation. During the global financial crisis, he withstood pressure and broke new ground in his provision of legal services.
Returning to Local Law Firms, Setting an Example for Young Lawyers
Lawyer James Luo is determined to become a scholar-type lawyer. He was sent to the University of London, under the sponsorship of the China Scholarship Counsel, to study as a visiting scholar, where he obtained his LLM with the King’s College London in 2000. Upon graduation, he went to Renmin University in 2002 to study for his doctorate degree in IP and was taught by acclaimed Chinese IP Professor Liu Chuntian. In 2008, he passed his doctoral defense, and his doctoral dissertation, “The Study on Criminal Protection of Trademark Rights”, expounds the necessity and appropriateness of trademark rights protection through criminal proceedings. His master’s thesis at the University of London, “The Protection of Well-Known Trade Marks in China” made a comparative study of Chinese and foreign trademark protection policies. His paper have been published in various publications, including “The Economic Analysis of Trademark Counterfeiting” published in the national journal People’s Justice (Issue No.3, 2008); “Trademark Protection in Retail Markets: Legal Responsibility of Market Management Units and Vendors” published in Electronic Intellectual Property (Issue No.3, 2008); “The Criminal Protection of Trademarks in the UK and the US” published in China Trademarks (Issue No.3, 2008); and “China Revises Its Trademark Law” published in the British academic journal Intellectual Property Quarterly (Issue No.2, 2000).
Upon obtaining his doctoral degree, Doctor James Luo decided to combine theory with practice. Since PRC lawyers at international law firms could not appear in court directly in the litigation field, Doctor James Luo joined Beijing Lawjay Partners as Managing Partner in 2009. When he returned to the Chinese law firm, he became even busier, as many international companies were attracted to the law firm through his reputation, inviting him and his legal team to carry out IP protection cases for them. His clients include Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci, Prada, Burberry, Ermenegildo Zegna, Microsoft, Electrolux, Pandora, GE Corporate, Motorola, Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Rotork, Life Technologies, Autoliv, Volvo, Johnson Electric Group, Energizer, Novenco, Lagostina, SD3C, Hansen, Juniper Networks, Hasbro and other MNCs, and some Japanese companies. In 2011, Doctor James Luo and his team filed over 100 foreign-related IP lawsuits nationwide.
In 2012, Beijing Lawjay Partners, under his leadership, was shortlisted by Chambers & Partners for “Boutique PRC Law Firm of the Year”, the only IP firm received the nomination in this category.
Founded in 1998, Beijing Lawjay Partners (formerly called Xiang Kun) has developed into a foreign-related law firm that continually enjoys a leading position in the IP field.
When Doctor James Luo lectures students at the LawSchool, he often stresses that “’Knowledge changes destiny.’ I sincerely hope that the younger generation and future lawyers will continue to master their English proficiency. If you apply for a legal position with my firm, what I will examine is not how profound is your legal knowledge, but how adept are your English skills. Only with sound English ability, can you broaden your horizons, improve your ability to communicate with foreign parties and excel in foreign-related IP protection.” This is the sincere and ardent expectation for young students and lawyers from Doctor James Luo, an experienced and successful Chinese IP lawyer.
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