In a notice dated February 27, 2020, the Chinese Trademark Office announced issuance of the Guidelines for the Examination of Epidemic Prevention and Control-Related Trademarks, which provides guidance on the examination of marks for the names of people involved in the epidemic, marks related to the epidemic virus and disease, marks related to epidemic-related drugs, marks for protective products (e.g., respirators), and other marks related to the epidemic.
Category: New Law, Rule or Implementing Regulation
China Patent Office to Cease Issuing Paper Patent Certificates
The China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) will no longer issue paper patent certificates for patents with authorization notices dated March 3, 2020 or later. Instead, CNIPA will issue electronic certificates through their online system. Patentees can still request paper certificates through the online system if needed though per Announcement 349 of CNIPA.
Newly Amended China Patent Examination Guidelines Effective February 1, 2020
The China National Intellectual Property Administration (“CNIPA”) formally announced on December 31, 2019 the newly amended Patent Examination Guidelines (“the Guidelines”) will come into effect on February 1, 2020. The Guidelines were amended to clarify eligible subject matter in patent applications involving artificial intelligence and other new industries.
China Makes Significant Commitments to Improve Intellectual Property Protection in Phase 1 Trade Deal
In the Economic and Trade Agreement Between the United States of America and the People’s Republic of China, Phase 1, dated January 15, 2020 China has made several major commitments to improve Intellectual Property protection. Chapter 1, which comprises 16 pages of the 94-page document, specifies improvements in trade secret protection; strengthening pharmaceutical-related Intellectual Property; granting patent term adjustments and extensions; preventing piracy and counterfeiting on e-commerce platforms; increasing transparency in geographical indications protection; preventing manufacture and export of counterfeit …