The Obligation to Localize Data Affects More Companies

When it comes to data protection in China, data localization is inevitable for foreign companies. The basic requirements are currently mainly set out in the Cyber Security Law, and many service providers such as the financial sector, providers of public health information, and online cab booking services have issued their own data localization requirements. The… Continue reading The Obligation to Localize Data Affects More Companies

China Is Creating a Huge Reservoir of Prior Art

When it comes to patents, the U.S. increasingly finds itself at a disadvantage in the innovation race with China. For example, AI patent applications from China significantly outpace those from the U.S., which means that China’s patent applications hurt U.S. innovators because they create a huge reservoir of “prior art.” This dramatically increases the amount… Continue reading China Is Creating a Huge Reservoir of Prior Art

China’s New Focus: Strengthening Demand and Promoting Brands

As part of its Domestic Circulation strategy, which aims to strengthen the domestic economy, China is also focusing on stimulating demand from Chinese consumers and strengthening Chinese brands. The COVID epidemic has shown that domestic demand is not as strong as thought after all. It is foreseeable that the central government will shift its focus… Continue reading China’s New Focus: Strengthening Demand and Promoting Brands

China Reports IP Data from 2020

In January 2021, the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) released the 2020 statistics on patents, trademarks and geographical indications (GI). According to the data, Chinese IPRs were not affected by Covid-19 in 2020, and in fact rose to a new level. This can be seen in three areas. For example, CNIPA granted a total… Continue reading China Reports IP Data from 2020

CSCS is Extended to the Field of IPR

China intends to expand the Corporate Social Credit System (CSCS). In the IPR field, it is intended to establish an IPR Credit System to strengthen the protection of rights holders and fight counterfeiters. So far, the application of the CSCS in the field of IPR is still limited to serious infringements of patents and to… Continue reading CSCS is Extended to the Field of IPR

Strengthening the Brand as ACF Strategy

When legal means have been exhausted in the fight against trademark and product piracy (anti-counterfeiting, ACF) in China, the question arises as to alternative approaches. A sustainable effective ACF strategy to regain control over one’s own brand is to strengthen and consolidate the brand in the Chinese market. In doing so, the brand owner leaves… Continue reading Strengthening the Brand as ACF Strategy

China Wants to Open its Cloud Services Market to EU Companies

China’s opening to European investment, the Investment Agreement between China and the EU promises, includes market access in many sectors – including cloud services and other online services. China has agreed to open its cloud services sector to EU investment up to a 50% cap. The entry into force of the CAI may thus create… Continue reading China Wants to Open its Cloud Services Market to EU Companies

China’s New Biosecurity Law Affects European Companies

China’s Biosecurity Law, which comes into force on 15 April 2021, is the new framework for the nearly one hundred laws, regulations and rules already in place in this area. It contains regulations on a wide range of topics – including the prevention and control of epidemic diseases, the establishment of a risk monitoring and… Continue reading China’s New Biosecurity Law Affects European Companies

The Long Arm of the Law: New Draft Law on the Protection of Personal Data

China continues to improve data protection with the Personal Information Protection Law (PIPL). The law, along with the Cyber Security Law and the Data Security Law (still in draft form), will further strengthen personal data protection and have a profound impact on companies inside and outside China.  Foreign companies need to pay particular attention to… Continue reading The Long Arm of the Law: New Draft Law on the Protection of Personal Data

CAI Does Not Protect European Companies from Unfair Competition

With the concessions and commitments China has made under the Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI) on a level playing field, market access, labor and environmental protection, this agreement is expected to provide European companies with easier access to the Chinese market and improve the conditions of competition. However, we must be aware that the CAI… Continue reading CAI Does Not Protect European Companies from Unfair Competition