Intentional and Punitive Damages in IPR Infringement

Punitive damages are applicable in all areas of IPR infringement and have been steadily improving in PRC legislation in recent years. It is also part of the latest Five-Year Plan through the government’s stated goal of establishing a comprehensive IPR infringement compensation system. The Judicial Interpretation of Punitive Damages for Intellectual Property Rights to Punish… Continue reading Intentional and Punitive Damages in IPR Infringement

Cyber Security and Data Protection: What’s in Store for 2022?

The year 2021 was – not only, but also – a turbulent year in the areas of cyber security and data protection in China. In addition to increased enforcement of the Multi-Level Protection Scheme (MLPS) in China, the implementation of which has been legally binding for companies in China since 2017 (see our webinars), many… Continue reading Cyber Security and Data Protection: What’s in Store for 2022?

IP Protection in the Chinese Metaverse

The topic of IP in the metaverse (metaverse) is gaining importance in China. The drivers are the Chinese technology groups, above all Baidu, Tencent, Alibaba, ByteDance and NetEase, which are currently racing against each other with massive metaverse trademark applications. Tencent alone has filed around 100 applications. Baidu, for example, has applied for the term Metaapp as a trademark, Alibaba for the trademark Ali Metaverse, and NetEase for the NetEase Metaverse. NetEase Group’s trademark applications… Continue reading IP Protection in the Chinese Metaverse

China’s Transformation of Society: Luxury Brands Are at Risk

China’s new policy of transforming society toward greater common good is leading Western suppliers of luxury brands to think strategically. Could it be that foreign luxury brands will be considered too individualistic, capitalistic and decadent by the political leadership in the future and therefore controlled or even thwarted? The government’s crackdown on celebrity culture and… Continue reading China’s Transformation of Society: Luxury Brands Are at Risk

Important Data: More Duties for Processing

China is fleshing out its data protection rules. The Network Data Security Management Regulation (Draft for Comments), published in November 2021, provides more detailed guidance regarding the obligations of processors of important data. Data is divided into general data, important data, and national core data. Important data refers to data that may jeopardize national security… Continue reading Important Data: More Duties for Processing

Burden of Proof and Damage Assessment for Trade Secrets

In the rapidly changing innovative fields of technology, the protection of trade secrets is becoming increasingly important. Legislation in China currently offers different approaches to better protect one’s know-how.  For example, the Interpretation (III) of Several Issues Concerning the Specific Application of Law in the Handling of Criminal Cases Involving Infringements upon Intellectual Property Rights,… Continue reading Burden of Proof and Damage Assessment for Trade Secrets

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

Beware of Forged Evidence

In China, not only products are counterfeited, but also documents often lack the authenticity required in court. For example, an individual named Zhang filed an application to cancel the Yuanshai food trademark of Tianjin Zhongying Group because the trademark had not been used for three consecutive years. Upon review, the Intellectual Property Office determined from… Continue reading Beware of Forged Evidence