On April 21, 2025, China’s Supreme People’s Court released the Summary of the Annual Report on the Application of Law in Intellectual Property Cases (2024) (全国法院知识产权案件法律适用问题年度报告（2024）摘要) listing 41 laws derived from 2024 IP litigation cases (and 2 from antitrust). While China is not a common law country, China’s SPC regularly releases guiding or typical cases as well as these summaries to promote uniformity to help ensure similar cases are treated consistently across different courts.
Category: Design Patent
China’s National Intellectual Property Administration Releases Typical Cases of Administrative Enforcement – Patent
On April 26, 2024, China’s National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) released the 2023 Typical Cases of Administrative Enforcement (2023年度知识产权行政保护典型案例). The 30 cases covers patents, trademarks and geographical indications. Administrative enforcement in China provides an alternative to enforcement through the court system and can be faster and less expensive than going to trial. However, while damages are unavailable defendants can be fined.
USTR Releases 2024 Special 301 Report on IP Protection – China Remains on the Priority Watch List
On April 25, 2024, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) today released its 2024 Special 301 Report on the adequacy and effectiveness of U.S. trading partners’ protection and enforcement of intellectual property (IP) rights. China remains on the priority watch list with the USTR stating: there remain many serious concerns regarding IP protection and enforcement in the People’s Republic of China (PRC). In 2023, the pace of reforms in the PRC remained slow. Stakeholders continue to raise …
Chinese Utility Model Grants Down 25.5% in 2023, Invention Patent Grants Up 15.4% in Shift from Quantity to Quality
In China’s shift from quantity to quality, 25.5% fewer utility models were granted in 2023 versus 2022. Design patent grants were also down 11.5% according to a January 16, 2024 press conference held by the State Council Information Office. In contrast, invention patent grants were up 15.4%. Invention patent applications are substantively examined while utility models and designs only undergo a preliminary examination. 2024 may show a continuing downward trend for utility models as the amended Patent Examination Guidelines, effective …