Insights & Updates
China IP regulations, industry news, and expert guidance
Patent Rejection Is Not the End: How to Assess the Next Step in China
A patent rejection does not necessarily mean that an invention has no value or that the application cannot be recovered. It is a formal decision explaining why the current claims do not satisfy the requirements for grant and provides a basis for evaluating amendment, reexamination or a new filing strategy.
Patent Portfolio Strategy: Why More Patents Do Not Always Mean Better Protection
A large number of patents does not necessarily create strong protection. An effective patent portfolio should cover the core technology, realistic alternatives and important future developments in a coordinated way.
China Trademark Law Revision 2026: Key Changes for International Brands
China adopted a revised Trademark Law on June 26, 2026. The new law will take effect on January 1, 2027 and introduces important changes concerning trademark use, bad-faith filings, dynamic marks and opposition procedures.
Patent Design-Around Strategies: Reducing Infringement Risk Through Independent Innovation
Patent design-around is not about disguising a copied product. It is a structured process of understanding the legal boundaries of a patent and developing a technically and commercially viable solution outside those boundaries.
CNIPA Guidelines on AI-Related Inventions: What Foreign Applicants Need to Know
CNIPA has clarified its examination standards for AI-related inventions through its 2024 guidance and amendments to the Patent Examination Guidelines effective January 1, 2026.
China’s Fourth Patent Law Amendment: Key Changes for Foreign Applicants
China’s fourth Patent Law amendment took effect on June 1, 2021, followed by revised Implementing Regulations on January 20, 2024. The reforms strengthened patent term compensation, design protection and patent enforcement.