On April 22, 2026, the Supreme People’s Court released the Summary of Judgments by the Intellectual Property Court of the Supreme People’s Court (2025) (最高人民法院知识产权法庭裁判要旨摘要（2025）). This publication should not be confused with the Annual Report on Legal Application Issues in Intellectual Property Cases of Courts Nationwide (2025), which was also released by the Supreme People’s Court. The two documents serve distinct purposes: this Summary compiles judgment digests from cases concluded by the Intellectual Property Court (IPC) of the Supreme People’s …
Author: Aaron Wininger
Aaron Wininger is a Principal and Director of the China Intellectual Property at Schwegman Lundberg & Woessner.
China’s Supreme People’s Court Releases 2025 Annual Report on Legal Application Issues in Intellectual Property Cases
On April 21, 2026, China’s Supreme People’s Court (SPC) published its Annual Report on Legal Application Issues in Intellectual Property Cases of Courts Nationwide (2025) (全国法院知识产权案件法律适用问题年度报告（2025）摘要), identifying 45 legal application issues drawn from intellectual property cases concluded by courts at all levels during 2025. The issues are organized into nine categories: patent cases (covering both civil and administrative adjudication), trademark cases (civil and administrative), copyright cases, competition cases (anti-unfair competition and anti-monopoly), new plant variety cases, integrated circuit layout design …
China’s Supreme People’s Court Releases Implementation Plan for Judicial Protection of Intellectual Property Rights by People’s Courts (2026-2030)
On April 20, 2026, China’s Supreme People’s Court (SPC) released the Implementation Plan for Judicial Protection of Intellectual Property Rights by People’s Courts (2026-2030) (人民法院知识产权司法保护实施方案(2026—2030年)) setting out the framework for IP adjudication during the 15th Five-Year Plan period. The Implementation Plan identifies technology sectors targeted for strengthened judicial protection, including integrated circuits, industrial machine tools, high-end instruments, basic software, advanced materials, biomanufacturing, high-end equipment, aerospace, and new energy. It addresses adjudication rules for artificial intelligence matters, including the legal attributes …
China’s Supreme People’s Court Releases Interpretation on the Application of Punitive Damages in the Trial of Civil Disputes Involving Intellectual Property Infringement
On April 20, 2026, China’s Supreme People’s Court released the Interpretation on the Application of Punitive Damages in the Trial of Civil Disputes Involving Intellectual Property Infringement (关于审理侵害知识产权民事纠纷案件适用惩罚性赔偿的解释) effective May 1, 2026. The Interpretation clarifies the criteria for determining intent, clarifies base figure calculations for damages, and clarifies how to calculate the punitive damages multiplier.