Beijing relies on data-driven growth

The Chinese Government has issued guidelines for the development of the data security sector. The goal is to increase the use of data for economic growth and improve control over data access and storage. The ultimate goal is to economically harness the potential of the vast amounts of data generated by the digital economy while… Continue reading Beijing relies on data-driven growth

New measures for Data Security Management

China continues to regulate data security. The Data Security Management Measures in the Field of Industry and Information Technology, which took effect on January 1, 2023, further specify the management of the entire life cycle of data. Companies should primarily pay attention to the following four requirements:  Data localization: It is not explicitly required that… Continue reading New measures for Data Security Management

General mobilization in basic research

In a bid to boost basic research in the intensifying technology war between China and the U.S., Shenzhen, the southern Chinese technology hub, is making state-funded scientific equipment costing more than RMB 500,000 (USD 71,623) available to individuals and organizations for research purposes. Basic research is high on Shenzhen’s agenda, and the city plans to… Continue reading General mobilization in basic research

New Year, New Guidance Documents: China Improves IP Protection

The China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) released information on the implementation of the Opinions on Strengthening Intellectual Property Protection (关于强化知识产权保护的意见) in late October 2022. They explain how amendments to the 2021 Patent Law will be implemented in practice. In addition, CNIPA aims to complete the revision and concretization of the Patent Law Implementation Rules… Continue reading New Year, New Guidance Documents: China Improves IP Protection

Cybersecurity Law: Fines Significantly Increased

The Cybersecurity Law (CSL), China’s first fundamental law to comprehensively regulate cybersecurity issues, is about to undergo its first revision. A key feature of the proposed amendments is a significant increase in penalties for network operators and critical infrastructure operators that fail to comply with relevant cybersecurity protection obligations. For example, the fine range for… Continue reading Cybersecurity Law: Fines Significantly Increased

Security, Science and Technology

Political speeches and documents are known to provide valid clues to future developments in the PRC. Analysts therefore try to extract priorities and orientations from the phraseology, word choice, and frequency of terms related to the 20th Party Congress. In doing so, they also take into account minor changes in phrases that have appeared at… Continue reading Security, Science and Technology

New data exchange in Canton

China has launched another data exchange in Nansha, Guangzhou. So far, more than 300 traders and companies have applied to join the Data Exchange, and around 200 trading objects have already been registered. These are data products, services and capabilities in areas such as artificial intelligence, intelligent transportation, smart manufacturing, smart finance, business services, medicine… Continue reading New data exchange in Canton

Customs Recordation: Trademark protection by customs

China Customs is extremely active in combating trademark counterfeiting. In 2020, the General Administration of Customs seized approximately 56 million products that infringed on intellectual property rights – of which 99.37% infringed on trademark rights. In contrast to this enormous volume of counterfeiting is the fact that many multinational companies are not even aware of… Continue reading Customs Recordation: Trademark protection by customs

Shanghai improves data protection

Shanghai is raising the level of data protection in the city. A pilot program will classify and tiered data categories and develop catalogs of important data. To this end, the program will identify typical cases, develop general methods, and provide training to meet needs. The background is the Data Security Law (DSL), which includes classified… Continue reading Shanghai improves data protection

Fighting Trademark Squatting as Unfair Competition

Trademark squatting and trademark hoarding have long been a troublesome problem for many foreign companies in China. Now, a breakthrough has been made in Chinese IP jurisprudence: Trademark rights holders can sue for unfair competition against trademark applications filed in bad faith and obtain injunctive relief and damages.  One precedent is the case of Emerson… Continue reading Fighting Trademark Squatting as Unfair Competition