In China, not only products are counterfeited, but also documents often lack the authenticity required in court. For example, an individual named Zhang filed an application to cancel the Yuanshai food trademark of Tianjin Zhongying Group because the trademark had not been used for three consecutive years. Upon review, the Intellectual Property Office determined from… Continue reading Beware of Forged Evidence
Tag: IP protection
Cancellation of Trademarks Filed in Bad Faith in China
In China, bad faith registration of third-party trademarks is prohibited. Until recently, it was nevertheless difficult to act against trademarks that were no exact copy of the relevant trademark, even if the bad faith was obvious from the point of view of the company concerned. It took a while, but in the meantime the chances… Continue reading Cancellation of Trademarks Filed in Bad Faith in China
Patents and Data: Extraterritorial Effect of Chinese Laws
China’s Five-Year Plan calls for the development of a Chinese-style socialist rule of law that also has an impact abroad. The country is to distinguish itself as a first-choice jurisdiction for resolving cross-border disputes and promote the application of Chinese law abroad. International legal and regulatory norms should be amended and the Chinese legal system… Continue reading Patents and Data: Extraterritorial Effect of Chinese Laws
Regionalization: Avoiding Loss of Control
Many international companies are currently considering regionalizing their production and upstream supply chains for specific markets to a greater extent and making their subsidiaries in different world regions more independent of each other. The goal is to secure supply chains by deepening regional value creation and to better meet regional customer needs through regionally manufactured… Continue reading Regionalization: Avoiding Loss of Control
China’s Drug Patent Linkage System
Innovation in China’s patent system: On July 4, 2021, the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) and the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) published methods for the early resolution of drug patent disputes. Thus, China now has a system of patent linkage. The patent linkage system links the market approval of generic drugs to the… Continue reading China’s Drug Patent Linkage System
Alternative Foods Conquer China
Healthy nutrition is becoming increasingly popular among Chinese. This is clearly reflected in the purchase of alternative nutrition products via online platforms – its volume almost doubled in 2020. Around 75% of online consumers of alternative foods are new customers, and most repeat orders are placed within 30 days. The reason for the boom is… Continue reading Alternative Foods Conquer China
Patentability of Software-Related Inventions
Since patents were traditionally intended to protect technical solutions such as those required for mechanical devices, it is still not possible to obtain a patent for a computer program per se. However, there are ways to include software in a patent application. In 2020, the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) revised its examination guidelines… Continue reading Patentability of Software-Related Inventions
Fluid Trademarks Can Create Free Space for Counterfeiters
Fluid trademarks appear in different and frequently changing variations, all based on a specific base brand. While they can be a creative way to connect with audiences, brand owners should use this tool with caution. Those who change their visual brand identity frequently can quickly confuse customers. The brand becomes undifferentiated and loses contour, leading… Continue reading Fluid Trademarks Can Create Free Space for Counterfeiters
The New Stamp Duty Law also Reduces the IP Costs
On June 10, 2021, the new Stamp Tax Law of the People’s Republic of China (中华人民共和国印花税法) was passed by the National People’s Congress. It will reduce or even eliminate the stamp tax previously levied on certain legal documents, licenses or certificates issued by an administrative authority. The new law replaces the previous Transitional Stamp Tax… Continue reading The New Stamp Duty Law also Reduces the IP Costs
Undesirable Technology Transfer through Chinese Investment
The method is familiar, what is new is that a lawsuit is being filed over it. Highly innovative U.S. company Icon Aircraft has filed a lawsuit in Delaware Chancery Court against its Chinese majority shareholders, including major shareholder Shanghai Pudong Science and Technology Investment (PDSTI). Icon developed the A5 amphibious aircraft, which set new standards… Continue reading Undesirable Technology Transfer through Chinese Investment
