China aims to systematically strengthen the foundations of its industry—from core components and raw materials to basic software. The five-year plan, published on October 22, 2026, targets segments in which European suppliers have traditionally been strong. This will intensify competition in China and make the protection of know-how even more critical. By 2030, vulnerabilities are… Continue reading New Plan: Strengthening the Industrial Base
Tag: know-how protection
Tighter Export Controls for 40 Key Technologies
China is planning new export restrictions on 40 strategically important technologies. Artificial intelligence, biomedicine, and solar technology are particularly affected. For European companies, this could result in significant restrictions on technology transfer and the use of Chinese know-how. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) and the Ministry of Science have published a draft proposal to… Continue reading Tighter Export Controls for 40 Key Technologies
Chinese offensive in Europe: Focus on IP and IT
The Allianz Trade Global Survey 2025 clearly shows that Chinese companies are strategically reorienting themselves as a result of the escalating trade conflict with the US and are increasingly turning their attention to Europe. Since American Liberation Day on April 2, 2025, not a single Chinese company with existing supply chains in North America has… Continue reading Chinese offensive in Europe: Focus on IP and IT
China’s New IP Regulation
China has issued a State Council regulation on the handling of foreign-related disputes in the field of intellectual property (IP), providing a framework for managing such disputes. With this new regulation, China has created a markedly more protectionist legal environment that goes far beyond traditional issues of industrial property rights. The regulation explicitly defines IP… Continue reading China’s New IP Regulation
The Genie in the Bottle: Know-how Protection for Start-ups
The consequences of the loss of know-how are far costlier than its protection. With start-ups, it is not uncommon for the entire investment to be at stake. For start-ups, further specific challenges appear besides the typical risks of know-how outflow. Start-ups, for example, face further challenges due to their open communication culture in coworking spaces… Continue reading The Genie in the Bottle: Know-how Protection for Start-ups
Protection and Enforcement of Trade Secrets in China: Regulatory Changes and Implications for Companies
Webinar – October 9, 2019 – 4 p.m. CET The last amendment of the Anti-Unfair Competition Law has been in force in China since the end of April 2019. A new paragraph has been introduced which will have a very direct and specific impact on case law. It regulates the burden of proof in civil… Continue reading Protection and Enforcement of Trade Secrets in China: Regulatory Changes and Implications for Companies
Know-How Protection in Pharmaceutical Companies
Four years have passed since the first proposal of the strategic plan Made in China 2025 (MiC 2025). Although China is toning down the public media coverage and official statements regarding the MiC 2025, the plan is still running. Its goals focus on high-tech areas, including the pharmaceutical industry. The MiC 2025 plan sets ambitious… Continue reading Know-How Protection in Pharmaceutical Companies
China’s Anti-Unfair Competition Law Amendment: Stronger Protection of Trade Secrets
The amended Anti-Unfair Competition Law entered into force in China in the end of April 2019. It is one of a series of laws that have been revised in the course of improving IP protection in China. In our last blog post (link) we analyzed the changes in China’s Trademark Law, where it is questionable… Continue reading China’s Anti-Unfair Competition Law Amendment: Stronger Protection of Trade Secrets
Trade Secrets vs. Patents
Counterfeiting and trade secrets are still the biggest challenges for many IP managers in China. Patents in many industries are now about software, especially in the automotive industry. The biggest challenge is seen in protecting software-related technologies, the problem being patentability. This development corresponds to the task of improving the quality of intellectual property rights.… Continue reading Trade Secrets vs. Patents
E-Car Start Up XPeng: New Trade Secrets Theft Accusations
Last year FBI started criminal prosecutions against a former Apple employee who stole the secret technology for self-driving cars. Now, Tesla is suing out of same reasons a former employee of their Autopilot team. What is the connection between the two defendants? Mr. Zhang and Mr. Cao are not only countrymen but were also switching… Continue reading E-Car Start Up XPeng: New Trade Secrets Theft Accusations
