In a February 24, 2025 Show Cause Order against Shenzhen Seller Growth Network Technology Co., Ltd. et al., the United States Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) announced that about 42,000 trademark registration decisions might be vacated and the application or post-registration proceedings reopened for a new determination to be made. For an initial registration decision, the registration will be cancelled and restored to pendency under its application serial number. The reopened proceeding is a proceeding that may be subject to …
Chinese Copyright Registrations Up 19% in 2024
Per a release (国版发函〔2025〕4号) from the National Copyright Administration of China dated February 28, 2025, the total number of copyright registrations in China for 2024 reached 10,630,610, a year-on-year increase of 19.13%. Of these, 2,827,213 registrations were for computer software copyright registrations in 2024, an increase of 13.31% year-on-year. Other copyright registrations totaled 7,802,965 in 2024, an increase of 21.39% year-on-year.
CNIPA Rejects 63 Attempts to Maliciously Register DeepSeek Trademarks
On February 24, 2025, China’s National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) announced that it rejected 63 trademark applications attempting to maliciously register DeepSeek and graphic. CNIPA stated that, “some agencies are suspected of providing illegal services, with obvious intentions of ‘riding the wave’ and seeking improper benefits. CNIPA resolutely cracked down on such malicious applications.”
Guangdong Higher People’s Court: 107 Million RMB Settlement in Pokémon Copyright and Unfair Competition Case
On February 21, 2025, Guangdong’s Higher People’s Court announced a settlement of 107 million RMB in favor of The Pokémon Company for copyright infringement and unfair competition. Pokémon had sued Guangzhou Mai Network Technology Co., Ltd., Huo Network Technology Co., Ltd. and others for copyright infringement and unfair competition disputes over the game “Pokémon: Remastered” in December 2021. Pokémon requested 500 million RMB and was awarded 107 million RMB in the first instance at the Shenzhen Intermediate People’s Court. The Guangdong High …