Enforcement of Judgments: Freezing assets

It is now well known that counterfeiters of branded or patented products are becoming increasingly sophisticated and that many infringements are often no longer 100% copies, making prosecution more difficult. We are now also observing a new trend in our day-to-day business: Chinese counterfeiters have prepared themselves to owe the compensation due after losing a… Continue reading Enforcement of Judgments: Freezing assets

China Expands IP Legal System

The Chinese government is focusing more on legal certainty in intellectual property and is condensing the network of agencies responsible for IP. Currently, the structure of courts handling IP infringement lawsuits is organized according to the principle of “1 plus 4 plus 22.” Here, the number 1 represents the IP court at the national level,… Continue reading China Expands IP Legal System

Market Entry with Strong IP: Not Always Recommended

Western companies are often enthusiastic about their innovative technology and rely on their strong patents to be monetized globally. But what about the company’s own competitive advantage in the Chinese market and in third markets already served by strong-patent Chinese competitors? Does the company have freedom of exercise there, or does it infringe already existing… Continue reading Market Entry with Strong IP: Not Always Recommended

IP Due Diligence Reduces Risk of Investments in Startups

Because new technologies such as artificial intelligence, Big Data, the Internet of Things and blockchain are developing rapidly in China, Chinese high-tech startups have become the most popular investment targets for multinational companies. While intellectual property is the greatest asset of these startups, it also poses a high risk to investors. Is its IP protected… Continue reading IP Due Diligence Reduces Risk of Investments in Startups

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 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

Settlement as A Choice of IP Infringement Case in China

For many foreign companies, after IP infringement is discovered in China, filing a lawsuit to order the infringer to stop infringement and pay damages is the best way to resolve the problem. However, in Chinese judicial practice, settlement negotiations, if used properly, can not only effectively resolve disputes, but can even achieve goals that litigation… Continue reading Settlement as A Choice of IP Infringement Case in China

Trademark Battle for The Shopping Festival

Singles’ Day, which takes place every year on 11.11. is the most popular annual shopping festival and the world’s highest-turnover online shopping day. It is hosted by leading Chinese e-commerce platforms, mainly Taobao and JD.com. Both together generate billions of dollars in sales every year, even more than on Black Friday and Cyber Monday combined.… Continue reading Trademark Battle for The Shopping Festival

Antimonopoly Directive Restrict Intellectual Property

The Anti-Monopoly Bureau of China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) has published the Anti-Monopoly Guidelines on Intellectual Property Rights (“IPR Guidelines”). This long-awaited Directive aims to prohibit the use of intellectual property rights if they eliminate or restrict competition. The Guidelines also provide clearer rules and guidance on monopoly of intellectual property rights. Chinese… Continue reading Antimonopoly Directive Restrict Intellectual Property