On September 18, 2021, the China National Intellectual Property Agency released the Interpretation of “Administrative Adjudication Measures for Early Resolution Mechanisms for Drug Patent Disputes” (《药品专利纠纷早期解决机制行政裁决办法》解读). The Interpretation clarifies some issues in the Measures, including deadlines.
China’s National People’s Congress Releases Translation of the Amended Copyright Law
China’s National People’s Congress has recently released a translation of the amended Copyright Law. The full text in English is available here. The original Chinese text is available here. The amended Copyright Law is effective as of June 1, 2021. Some of the highlights in the amended Copyright Law include punitive damages for intentional infringement, an increase in statutory damages, and an increase in civil fines for copyright infringement. For ease of reference, the full English translation is reproduced here.
China’s National People’s Congress Releases Translation of the Amended Patent Law
China’s National People’s Congress has recently released a translation of the amended Patent Law. The full text in English is available here. The original Chinese text is available here. The amended Patent Law is effective as of June 1, 2021. Major changes in the Patent Law include increased patent term (e.g., patent term extension and patent term adjustment), patent linkage, and increased damages (longer statute of limitations and punitive damages). For ease of reference, the full English translation is reproduced here.
China’s Hainan Province Proposes 1 Million RMB Rewards for Reporting Intellectual Property Infringement
On September 2, 2021, the Hainan Provincial Intellectual Property Office released the draft Interim Measures for Reporting and Rewarding Major Intellectual Property Violations in the Field of Market Supervision in Hainan Province (海南省市场监管领域知识产权重大违法行为举报奖励暂行办法) for comment. The Measures provide rewards of up to 1 million RMB (~$155 thousand USD) for reporting intellectual property infringement including of patents, trademarks, trade secrets, geographical indicators, integrated circuit layouts, etc. The infringement must be serious enough to qualify as a crime or subject to heavy fines.