China’s National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) will be closed from September 29, 2023, Friday, through October 6, 2023, Friday, for the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day Holiday in China. However, October 7, 2023 (Saturday) and October 8, 2023 (Sunday) will be working days in China. Patent deadlines will be extended to October 9, 2023 but trademark deadlines will only be extended to October 7, 2023.
Forbidden: China Again Geo-Blocking Supreme People’s Court Website
In yet another blow to transparency, China has again started geo-blocking Americans and other foreigners from accessing the Supreme People’s Court (SPC) website. China previously geo-blocked the SPC website in November 2022. Attempting to access this site leads to a 403 Forbidden error message with “reason:GeoBL.” However, the more-limited English version of the SPC’s website remains available, making it appear not to be a technical error. Chinese websites for the China National Intellectual Property Administration, the National People’s Congress, China Judgements Online and …
China’s National Intellectual Property Administration Issues Draft Regulations on the Protection of Geographical Indication Products for Comment
On September 18, 2023, China’s National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) issued the Draft Regulations on the Protection of Geographical Indication Products for Comment (地理标志产品保护规定（征求意见稿)). The Draft moves the examination and approval process from the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine to the CNIPA, introduces a good faith requirement and adds a detailed examination process.
China’s Supreme People’s Procuratorate Releases the 48th Batch of Guiding Cases Focusing on IP
On September 14, 2023, the Supreme People’s Procuratorate (SPP) released the 48th batch of guiding cases (关于印发最高人民检察院 第四十八批指导性案例的通知). This batch include 4 cases (Prosecution Cases No. 191-194) with the theme of “Comprehensive Procuratorial Protection of Intellectual Property Rights.” The cases yielded significant prison sentences for copyright infringement and false copyright litigation.