IP and Data in Franchising in China

Enterprises that want to enter the Chinese market through international franchising should prepare a comprehensive IPR layout in advance and pay attention to data protection in their activities. Although a registered trademark is the most important resource in the franchise system, in addition, the uniform decoration plans of franchise stores, window designs, original advertising slogans,… Continue reading IP and Data in Franchising in China

Important Data in Industry and Information Technology

The Data Security Law (DSL) requires companies to categorize their data as “general data,” “important data,” and “core data.” Which data falls into these categories varies from industry to industry. The definition of important data for the automotive industry has received the most attention so far, and also for the financial industry a detailed explanation… Continue reading Important Data in Industry and Information Technology

Data Protection: Obstacle to the Digital Economy?

There are new proposals for data management and cross-border data transfer. For example, the issues of data ownership, use, processing and control should be clarified. Data privacy, trade secrets and national security should be regulated in certain use scenarios such as Big Data marketing, corporate data sharing and cross-border data flows. Regulation of cross-border data… Continue reading Data Protection: Obstacle to the Digital Economy?

IP Compliance Guidelines

The Shanghai Pudong New Area Procuratorate has released China’s first intellectual property rights (IPR) compliance guidelines. The goal is to highlight IPR-related risks and drive the establishment of a robust IP compliance system. IP compliance includes patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. The guidelines distinguish IPR risks according to their level. For example, changes in… Continue reading IP Compliance Guidelines

China Cracks Down on Bad Faith IP Infringement Cases

The Supreme People’s Court of the PRC is emphasizing the need to step up its crackdown on false and bad faith IP litigation. The relevant document is the “Opinions of the OVG on Strengthening the IP Litigation System to Provide Effective Judicial Services and Ensure the Construction of an IP Stronghold”, published on October 29,… Continue reading China Cracks Down on Bad Faith IP Infringement Cases

New Data Centers in China: Data from the East, Computing Power in the West

Eight regions in China are to be developed into national hubs for computing power by building 10 national data center clusters: Jing Jin Ji 京津冀 (Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei Province), Changsanjiao 长三角 (Yangtze River Delta), Yue Xiang Ao Dawan Qu 粤巷澳大湾区 (Guangdong, Hong Kong, Macau – Greater Bay Area)), Chengyu 成渝 (Chongqing and Chengdu), Inner Mongolia,… Continue reading New Data Centers in China: Data from the East, Computing Power in the West

China’s Strict IT Compliance Competes with RCEP

The world’s largest free trade agreement, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), has been in effect since Jan. 1, 2022. It allows companies in participating countries to engage in cross-border partnerships, tariff reductions and trade simplification. Over the next 20 years, up to 90% of tariffs incurred in the zone are expected to be eliminated.… Continue reading China’s Strict IT Compliance Competes with RCEP

Strengthening Design Protection

China joined the Hague Agreement concerning the International Deposit of Industrial Designs (the Hague System for short) on February 5, 2022. This makes it possible to apply for protection of a design in more than 90 countries worldwide simultaneously via one application – including China from May 5, 2022. China’s accession had already been announced… Continue reading Strengthening Design Protection

First Corporate Data Compliance Guideline in China

On January 30, 2022, Shanghai issued the first official Corporate Data Compliance Guideline. The 38-article document guides companies to strengthen their data management in terms of data compliance, identification, assessment and elimination of data risks. The guideline emphasizes that a company’s management is responsible for data compliance and recommends that a dedicated data compliance management… Continue reading First Corporate Data Compliance Guideline in China

National Standard Provides Insight into Future Data Requirements

The requirements of the internationally widely discussed Data Security Law (DSL, effective since Sep 1, 2021) are a challenge for many companies operating in China. To establish a hierarchical protection system for data classification, China’s National Information Security Standardization Technical Committee has issued the National Standard – Guide for Important Data Identification (Draft, hereinafter referred… Continue reading National Standard Provides Insight into Future Data Requirements