China’s Ministry of Public Security Announces 10 Typical Cases of Strengthening Protection of Intellectual Property Rights via Criminal Law Enforcement

Posted on Categories Case, Copyright, Trademarks

On April 19, 2023, China’s Ministry of Public Security (MPS) announced 10 typical cases of strengthening protection of intellectual property rights via criminal law enforcement and supporting comprehensive innovation (公安部公布加强知识产权刑事保护支持全面创新10起典型案例).  The MPS also stated that “in 2022, a total of 27,000 criminal cases of intellectual property infringement and the production and sale of counterfeit and inferior commodities were cracked, effectively curbing the frequent occurrence of such crimes.” The announcement from the MPS follows.

China to Grade Patent Agencies Nationwide Starting May 1, 2023

Posted on Categories New Law, Rule or Implementing Regulation, Patents

China’s National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) released the Administrative Measures for Credit Evaluation of Patent Agencies (Trial) (专利代理信用评价管理办法(试行)) on April 11, 2023 and effective May 1, 2023.  The Measures follow up on the trial implementation in a few provinces and the Draft Measures issued on October 8, 2022.  Low grades will lead to increased inspections and other penalties.     

Chinese Live Streamer Sentenced to 1 Year 10 Months Prison Term for Selling Counterfeit Disney Plush Toys

Posted on Categories Case, Trademarks

On April 14, 2023, the Jing An Procuratorate in Shanghai, China announced that live streamer Zhu XX with 200,000 fans was sentenced to a prison term of 1 year 10 months and fined 800,000 RMB for the crime of selling goods with counterfeit registered trademarks belonging to Disney. An additional 5 defendants were sentenced to imprisonment of 1 year to 1 year 8 months and fined, subject to probation.

China Releases Draft Measures for the Management of Generative Artificial Intelligence Services

Posted on Categories New Law, Rule or Implementing Regulation

On April 11, 2023, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) released the Measures for the Management of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) Services (Draft for comments) (生成式人工智能服务管理办法(征求意见稿)) regulating research, development and utilization of generative artificial intelligence products to provide services to the public within the territory of the People’s Republic of China.  The CAC defines generative AI as “technologies that generate text, pictures, sounds, videos, codes, and other content based on algorithms, models, and rules.”