On August 14, 2020, the Ministry of Justice of the People’s Republic of China issued the Guiding Opinions on Strengthening the Protection of Commercial Secrets and Confidential Business Information in the Process of Administrative Licensing (Draft for Solicitation of Comments) (关于强化行政许可过程中商业秘密和保密商务信息保护的指导意见（征求意见稿）). The draft opinions acknowledge “that in the process of implementing administrative licensing in some localities and departments, there are problems such as incomplete confidentiality systems, inadequate implementation of management systems, and imperfect accountability mechanisms, which are not conducive to …
Huawei Remains Top Corporate Patentee in China in H1 2020
In a study released by IPR Daily and incoPat Innovation Index Research Center, Huawei remains the top Chinese corporate patentee in China for the first half of 2020. The number of Chinese patent grants (excluding Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan) in the first half of 2020 at the China National Intellectual Property Administration totaled 217,222, and Chinese applicants accounted for 81% of these patents. In the first half of 2020, there were 11 Chinese companies with more than 1,000 patents. …
China to Allow Foreigners to Take Chinese Patent Bar Exam
On August 12, 2020, China’s Ministry of Commerce (MofCom) released the “Overall Plan for Comprehensive Deepening of the Service Trade Pilot Program” (全面深化服务贸易创新发展试点总体方案). For the first time, foreigners will be allowed to take the Chinese patent bar exam and, if passed, receive a patent agent qualification certificate. With the certificate, foreigners can work at Chinese patent agencies as well as become partners/shareholders in Chinese patent agencies.
China’s National People’s Congress Releases Second Draft of Amended Copyright Law
On August 17, 2020, China’s National People’s Congress released the Amendments to the Copyright Law (Second Deliberation Draft) (中华人民共和国著作权法修正案（草案二次审议稿)) for comment. The deadline for comments is September 30, 2020.