China’s Revised Anti-Unfair Competition Law

China has revised its Anti-Unfair Competition Law. Many changes in the amended law aim at the protection of fair competition in the Chinese flourishing e-commerce business. Thus, Article 8 prohibits deceiving or misleading consumers by publishing fake sales volumes, user comments, or information regarding prizes and rewards. Such widely used practices as click farming or… Continue reading China’s Revised Anti-Unfair Competition Law

The UAE – a Hub of Chinese Counterfeiting

Chinese counterfeiters act in an increasingly global context. Due to the massive prosecution in China, they relocate their production sites to neighboring countries such as Myanmar, distribute their fakes worldwide via the Internet, and use complicated logistics routes so that their consignments cannot be easily tracked by the authorities in the recipient countries. The free… Continue reading The UAE – a Hub of Chinese Counterfeiting

China Launches the First Cyber-Court

China’s new cyber-court in the city of Hangzhou started hearing cases on August 18, 2017. This court exclusively deals with e-commerce and Internet-related cases, and has the ability to handle all aspects of a case online from the beginning to the end (link to the article). Hangzhou has been dubbed the “capital of Chinese e-commerce”,… Continue reading China Launches the First Cyber-Court

E-waste and Counterfeiting

Since last year, the Basel Action Network (BAN) has been continuously working on an e-Trash Transparency Project. It found that recycling companies in the US continue to export hazardous e-trash to Asia. Their latest data reveal 16 more instances of exports to developing countries involving 7 companies, most of which make public claims of never… Continue reading E-waste and Counterfeiting

Shenzhen launches an IP Service System

China’s technology metropolis Shenzhen takes the lead in innovation and IP protection once again. On September 12, 2017, the construction of the Shenzhen Intellectual Property City was announced, which builds on the already existing competitive advantages of Shenzhen against other Chinese cities. The service of the new IP hub includes the creation, administration, and protection… Continue reading Shenzhen launches an IP Service System

China’s fast-track for patents

Administrative Measures for Priority Examination of Patent Applications, issued by the State Intellectual Property Office of the People’s Republic of China, have come into effect on 1st August 2017. They aim at broadening the range of technologies that are considered eligible for priority examination, as well as opening up opportunities for applicants of utility models… Continue reading China’s fast-track for patents

China’s Top Social Networks Face Investigation under the Cybersecurity Law

Most international companies have adopted a mere wait-and-see approach regarding the compliance with China’s new Cybersecurity Law. Now, the recent investigation against the country’s top social media providers definitely sets off alarm bells – it is time to take compliance with China’s Cybersecurity Law seriously. In early August, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) has… Continue reading China’s Top Social Networks Face Investigation under the Cybersecurity Law

Will China Further Strengthen IPR Protection?

Peking adopts new tone: China’s president Xi Jinping stressed the importance of intellectual property rights protection and mentioned that China should accelerate institutional development in the field of IP – especially in emerging areas and new business types. Infringement should be prosecuted more severely and the penalties should become heavier.  Simultaneously, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang… Continue reading Will China Further Strengthen IPR Protection?

China’s Social Credit System – A Revolution in the Market Regulation?

China’s Social Credit System is a big data-enabled toolkit for constant monitoring of all market participants in respect to compliance with laws and rules. Its core concept is the self-restriction of economic actors. Based on massive data collection, ratings are generated for each market participant. These ratings are publicly available and can result in rewards… Continue reading China’s Social Credit System – A Revolution in the Market Regulation?

US Companies are Shifting Their Investments from China to South- and Southeast Asia

The survey result of the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai indicates that around 20% of the US companies in China are shifting their investments planned for China to other destinations, mostly to Southeast or South Asia. The reasons lie not only in the rising costs, but in a shortage of skilled workers and the… Continue reading US Companies are Shifting Their Investments from China to South- and Southeast Asia