IP Protection in New Areas

Intellectual property protection has always been high on the Chinese agenda. For example, the Made in China 2025 strategy aims to transform Chinese enterprises from manufacturers into owners and creators of intellectual property in the global economy. In September and October 2021, China published the Outline of Building an IPR Powerhouse (2021-2035) and the 14th… Continue reading IP Protection in New Areas

China’s Triumph in Robotics

The Middle Kingdom continues to gain ground in the research and development of the robotics industry and can hardly be caught up. This development is clearly visible when looking at the total number of patents in this field. China leads the world in this area by a significant margin, having filed nearly three times as… Continue reading China’s Triumph in Robotics

Data Export Security Assessment: All Data Processors Are Involved

With the enactment of China’s Cybersecurity Law (CSL), Data Security Law (DSL), and Personal Information Protection Law (PIPL), security management and assessment of cross-border data transfer became a key issue. Following these three laws, China’s Cyberspace Administration (CAC) published the Measures on Data Export Security Assessment (Draft for Comments) on October 29, 2021, which provides… Continue reading Data Export Security Assessment: All Data Processors Are Involved

Patents and Data: Extraterritorial Effect of Chinese Laws

China’s Five-Year Plan calls for the development of a Chinese-style socialist rule of law that also has an impact abroad. The country is to distinguish itself as a first-choice jurisdiction for resolving cross-border disputes and promote the application of Chinese law abroad. International legal and regulatory norms should be amended and the Chinese legal system… Continue reading Patents and Data: Extraterritorial Effect of Chinese Laws

The PIPL Requires Data Mapping of Personal Information

With the new Personal Information Protection Law (PIPL), the assessment of the impact on data subjects through the Personal Information Security Impact Assessment (PISIA) becomes the center of attention. PISIA assesses the legal compliance of current personal data processing, identifies the risks to data subjects, and evaluates the effectiveness of the data protection measures taken.… Continue reading The PIPL Requires Data Mapping of Personal Information

Who Is Operator of Critical Information Infrastructure?

Critical Information Infrastructure Operators (CIIOs) are a central and so far vague concept of China’s new cybersecurity and data protection system. With the regulations on critical information infrastructure protection (“the regulations”) that came into force on September 1, 2020, the government is now creating more transparency, but at the same time increasing the pressure on… Continue reading Who Is Operator of Critical Information Infrastructure?

Chinese Brands Overtake Western Brands

The trend cuts across all sectors: on the Chinese domestic market, many domestic brands are overtaking their foreign competitors in terms of popularity with consumers. These include Li-Ning and Erke in the sportswear sector, Midea and Gree in household appliances, and Perfect Diary and Florasis in the cosmetics markets. Some Chinese brands are now growing… Continue reading Chinese Brands Overtake Western Brands

Regionalization: Avoiding Loss of Control

Many international companies are currently considering regionalizing their production and upstream supply chains for specific markets to a greater extent and making their subsidiaries in different world regions more independent of each other. The goal is to secure supply chains by deepening regional value creation and to better meet regional customer needs through regionally manufactured… Continue reading Regionalization: Avoiding Loss of Control

The Personal Information Protection Law (PIPL) Challenges Companies

After three revisions, China’s Personal Information Protection Law (PIPL), which has received much attention abroad, will come into force on November 1, 2021. It comprehensively protects personal data, going beyond the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) – a milestone in Chinese legal history. Take Big Data price discrimination, for example: it refers to the… Continue reading The Personal Information Protection Law (PIPL) Challenges Companies

The German Supply Chain Act Requires in China Compliance

The new German Supply Chain Act (LkSG) brings far-reaching new due diligence requirements for managers. They must strive to avoid risks related to the violation of human rights and the environment and to manage the company responsibly across borders. The law, which will apply from 2023, initially only affects German companies with more than 3,000… Continue reading The German Supply Chain Act Requires in China Compliance