Intellectual Property Newsletter by MeritsIP, August 07, 2025

Intellectual Property Newsletter by MeritsIP, August 07, 2025

August 7, 2025 global, meritsip 0 Comments

Editor’s Note: Intellectual Property Highlights and Strategies for Innovation

Welcome to the MeritsIP Newsletter. We delve into critical updates in the intellectual property landscape, providing insights and strategies to help you navigate the ever-evolving world of patents, trademarks, and copyrights. Read on to stay informed and ahead in the game of innovation.

China Intellectual Property Research Association’s 8th 4th Council and 8th 5th Standing Council Meetings Held in Beijing

Recently, the 8th 4th Council and 8th 5th Standing Council meetings of the China Intellectual Property Research Association took place in Beijing. Shen Changyu, head of the association, delivered a written speech, and Lu Pengqi attended and spoke. Shen affirmed the association’s first – half 2025 work and set requirements for the next step, stressing it should implement Xi Jinping’s instructions, understand central government deployments, strengthen political guidance, and build a new – type high – end think – tank. The meeting heard the secretariat’s work report, approved matters like council member adjustments and rule revisions. Academician Qiao Hong gave a keynote on “Intellectual Property and Artificial Intelligence”. Gan Shaoning and newly – elected vice – president Liao Tao chaired different parts of the meeting. Nearly 300 council members and representatives participated offline or online.

Source: True

Zhao Lusi’s Dispute over Termination of Contract Escalates: Who Owns the Copyright of Her Works?

Recently, the dispute between actress Zhao Lusi and Tianjin Galaxy Cool Entertainment Culture Media Co., Ltd. has drawn intense online attention. On August 2nd, Zhao publicly announced on Weibo her intention to quit due to unresolved economic issues with her agency. The agency invited her to communicate the next day, but Zhao said the company didn’t address her concerns, and as of reporting time, there was no further response.

The article also mentioned copyright disputes during contract terminations, using Taylor Swift’s case as an example. Professor Xiong Qi from Huazhong University of Science and Technology Law School was interviewed. He stated that usually, artists are just performers and not copyright – holders, and after contract termination, the copyright generally doesn’t belong to them. The artist’s signature and performance rights remain, but they may be unable to perform previous works.

Xiong also said that as long as the agency doesn’t deprive the artist of the signature right, the works can be used normally, and the artist can’t restrict subsequent use. To avoid disputes, he suggested clearly defining copyright ownership and dispute – resolution in contracts. He noted the lack of clear regulations in China’s copyright law regarding authors’ rights in contract termination and called for joint efforts to fill the legislative gap.

Conducting “CT Scans” on Submarine Strata and Playing “Snake” While Drilling: How Patent Technologies Unlock the Deep – Sea Treasure Trove

This article focuses on how China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) uses patent technologies to drive innovation across the entire marine energy industry chain. Since 1986, CNOOC has amassed nearly 10,000 patents, contributing to its 2024 revenue of 420.5 billion yuan. In exploration, the “Haijing” seismic exploration equipment on the “Haiyang Shiyou 720” can penetrate 10,000 – meter – deep strata, and the “Haimai” equipment with 2 – hertz ultra – low – frequency sensing ability enhances detection accuracy by over 30%. The “Snake” intelligent drilling system boosts efficiency by 50%. In oil extraction, the “Deep Sea No.1” energy station, Hailong shallow – water subsea Christmas tree, “Reinjection No.1” platform, and “Haiji No.2” all showcase technological prowess. In transportation, the “Haiyang Shiyou 201” solves deep – sea pipeline issues. In LNG storage, new energy, and downstream sectors, patent – based products and technologies form a “R & D – Patent – Industry” virtuous cycle.

Trademark Announcement, Trademark Ruling Publication, Trademark Registration Certificate Publicity and Other Systems Launch New URLs

On August 5, the Trademark Office of the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) announced that, to optimize the service experience, starting from 0:00 on August 6, 2025, new URLs will be launched for the trademark announcement, ruling publication, and registration certificate publicity subsystems in the online trademark service system. Specific URLs are provided for trademark announcement, registration certificate publicity, registration review decision documents, objection decisions, and review documents. Users are advised to note the URL changes and update their access links promptly to avoid business disruptions.

Millennium-old Silk Industry Transforms! Brand’s Stunning Rise from “Small, Scattered, and Weak” to Annual Output Value of 500 Million Yuan

This news details the transformation of Jiuguan Street’s silk industry in Huzhou’s Nanxun District. With a near – thousand – year history, it was once in a “small, scattered, and weak” state with over 100 SMEs facing intense competition and a damaged reputation. In November 2023, the “Dinan Siyun” collective trademark was registered. Local departments spent half a year formulating 38 usage rules, and 12 enterprises got the first authorization.

The street adopted an “online cloud exhibition + offline experience” model for promotion, established an “intellectual property protection team”, and provided services to enhance IP awareness. The brand has empowered young entrepreneurs like Lin Xiaoyu. The local government also created a “youth entrepreneurship + brand” system.

Now, the silk industry’s annual output value has exceeded 500 million yuan, a 37% increase, and created over 3,000 jobs. The area integrates cultural heritage, industrial upgrading, and youth entrepreneurship, offering a “Nanxun Plan” for traditional industry transformation.

New Version of the Entrustment Contract (Model Text) Released with New IP Ownership and Confidentiality Clauses

Recently, the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) officially released the new Entrustment Contract (Model Text) (GF—2025—1001). The revision is to implement relevant provisions of the Civil Code and guide fair and orderly entrusted activities. To solve problems such as information asymmetry and agent’s abuse of power, the 2000 – version was revised.

The new model text has improvements. It adds usage instructions, special notes, term explanations, and signing precautions. It refines clauses on entrusted matters, work requirements, and acceptance criteria. Notably, it adds IP ownership and confidentiality clauses to protect rights and reduce disputes.

The new text standardizes transactions, clarifies rights, obligations, and liabilities, improving efficiency, reducing risks, and promoting harmony. The public can access it on the SAMR’s official website, and the previous version is repealed.

Foshan High – value Patent Transfer Competition’s Sailing Logo Unveiled

The Foshan High – value Patent Transfer Competition has officially released a new logo. The logo reflects the theme “Gathering new momentum to build a new Foshan”, integrating Foshan’s industrial characteristics and the Greater Bay Area’s development vision. Its design concept centers around the initials “F”, “S” of Foshan and “G” for high – value. The “F” resembling a sail symbolizes Foshan’s manufacturing ambition. The derivatives of “F” show support for industrial innovation through high – value patent transfer. The blue – green color represents the connection between enterprise needs and innovation supply. The logo’s dynamic rotating shape emphasizes high – value patent transfer. Since its establishment, the competition has promoted patent transfer. The new logo marks its step towards professionalism and internationalization. In 2025, it aims to promote high – quality industrial development and help create a leading intellectual property demonstration zone.

Morning News Digest: Key IP and Legal Updates

This news digest presents various intellectual property (IP) and legal developments. In Shaanxi, relevant departments jointly issued guidance to standardize evidence in commercial – secret infringement cases. Zhejiang Supor Co., Ltd. has multiple trademark – infringement court cases. Magnesium Health tries an IPO on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange despite financial issues and a long – standing lawsuit. The Beijing branch of the CNIPA changed its office address on July 31, 2025. Huawei sued Transsion Holdings again over an image – display patent. The Nanjing Institute of Astronomical Optics and Technology released a patent open – licensing list. Guizhou is soliciting data IP registration cases. The China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products called on photovoltaic enterprises to resist unfair competition.

Why I Always Say Trade Secrets Are 100 Times More Important Than Patents: Thoughts Inspired by the Huawei-Zunpai Case

The Shanghai Third Intermediate People’s Court issued a first – instance verdict in the “Zunpai Communications’ infringement of Huawei’s chip technology trade secrets case”. Former Huawei HiSilicon executive Zhang Kun was sentenced to 6 years in prison and fined 3 million yuan, and banned from the chip industry for 5 years. Thirteen other former employees got sentences from 2 to 5 years, with a total fine of 13.5 million yuan. Zunpai’s 99.65 – million – yuan assets were frozen, the company was dissolved, and its technology was destroyed.

Trade – secret infringement disputes often occur among high – tech firms. The author argues that trade secrets are more important than patents. Patents have a max protection period and need disclosure, meeting strict novelty and inventiveness requirements. Trade secrets have no time limit, don’t need disclosure or authorization, and are easier to keep secret. Patent infringement is mainly civil, while serious trade – secret infringement can lead to criminal liability. Protecting trade secrets demands a complete internal management system, more challenging than patent management. High – tech companies should build a corporate culture respecting innovation and contracts to protect trade secrets at the root.

IPR Daily Dialogue with INTA CEO: Global IP Strategies Amid Regional Differences

Recently, INTA CEO Etienne Sanz de Acedo met with Chinese media in Beijing, where IPR Daily asked how INTA helps companies bridge regional IP policy and enforcement differences and develop global IP strategies. The CEO said these differences come from different institutional systems like “first – to – file” and “first – to – use”. INTA promotes global policy coordination, supports treaties such as the Madrid Protocol and the Hague Agreement, and collaborates with national IP offices and WIPO. It offers professional support to government and examiners and engages with judicial institutions. With a network spanning 185 countries and regions, INTA shares best practices globally, seeing IP as crucial for innovation, economic growth, and social well – being.

9月1日起施行! 《重庆市知识产权保护和促进条例》全文发布

The “Regulations of Chongqing Municipality on the Protection and Promotion of Intellectual Property Rights” was adopted on July 31, 2025, by the 17th meeting of the Standing Committee of the 6th Chongqing Municipal People’s Congress and will take effect on September 1, 2025. As Chongqing’s first comprehensive intellectual property regulation, it has 6 chapters and 55 articles, aiming to strengthen full – chain intellectual property protection, stimulate innovation, and drive high – quality development.

The regulations establish a systematic working mechanism, clarify responsibilities, and offer incentives to improve intellectual property creation and utilization. They focus on building a collaborative protection system, call for a public service system and talent development.

Moreover, they propose an overseas risk prevention and control system, a rights – protection assistance mechanism, and mechanisms for emerging fields and data – related intellectual property. This regulation signals that Chongqing’s intellectual property work has entered a new legal and systematic phase.

Trademark | Beijing High Court: Xigua Da Hong Pao Wins! Second Instance Reversed the Judgment, Ruling that It Does Not Constitute Malicious Trademark Registration

On August 7, 2025, the Beijing High Court ruled in favor of Wuyishan Xiangjiang Tea Co., Ltd. in the second – instance trial of the administrative dispute over the rejection and review of the trademark application for “Xigua Da Hong Pao”.

Under Article 4, Paragraph 1 of the Trademark Law, “malicious trademark registration without the purpose of use” needs two elements. Xiangjiang Company provided evidence like franchise contracts, sales records, and honors, showing its intention and continuous use of the “Xigua” series of trademarks. The disputed “Xigua Da Hong Pao” trademark is part of the “Xigua” series, and it can’t be proven that the application was malicious without the purpose of use.

The Beijing Intellectual Property Court dismissed Xiangjiang Company’s lawsuit in the first – instance. But the Beijing High Court revoked the first – instance administrative judgment and the CNIPA’s decision on the rejection and review, ordering the CNIPA to make a new decision on the application. The second – instance judgment was on June 6, 2025.

Competition | Shandong Higher People’s Court Reaches Final Judgment on Corporate Name Right Dispute, Alleged Use Not Infringing

The Shandong Higher People’s Court made a final judgment in the unfair competition dispute between appellants Jiamusi Electric Machine Co., Ltd. and Jiamusi Electric Machine Factory Co., Ltd., and appellees Jiamusi Explosion – proof Electric Machine Co., Ltd., Wang and Wang Xia. The court ruled that: 1. There was not enough evidence to prove “Jiadian” and “Jiamusi Electric Machine” had a stable link with the appellants as well – known abbreviations when the alleged acts occurred. So, the claim of unfair competition due to the appellees’ use of these abbreviations had no factual or legal basis. 2. The appellees’ act of publicizing the appellants’ historical honors as their own was not within the scope of unfair competition regulated by Article 6, Paragraph 4 of the Anti – Unfair Competition Law. As the alleged acts didn’t constitute unfair competition, the court supported the first – instance court’s decision to reject the appellants’ claim for the appellees to bear civil liability. The Qingdao Intermediate People’s Court dismissed the appellants’ lawsuit, and the Shandong Higher People’s Court upheld the original judgment.

Musk Applies for “Macrohard” Trademark: A Tribute to Microsoft?

On August 1, 2025, X.AI, owned by Elon Musk, filed a “Macrohard” trademark application (No. 99314877) with the US Patent and Trademark Office. The name contrasts with “Microsoft”. As early as July 14, Musk hinted at X.AI’s plan to set up a subsidiary, and his reaction to “Macrohard” seemed confirmatory. The application covers two categories related to Musk’s disclosed business directions, costing about $2300. Musk has had feuds with Microsoft’s Bill Gates, and this application may have been pre – planned since 2021. It’s unclear if it’s a challenge, provocation, or tribute.

2025 First Batch of Well – known Trademark Brands in Hunan Province Announced

Recently, the first batch of well – known trademark brands in Hunan Province in 2025 was released. Brands from Changsha were recognized for their market performance, product quality, and brand influence. The recognition adhered to relevant measures and standards, going through multiple review processes. Recognized Changsha brands span industries like technology, medicine, home furnishing, catering, and food. For example, Hunan Kylinxin’an Technology Co., Ltd. in tech, “Wanxiang Yintian” in home furnishing, and “Detianshun” in catering. The Hunan Trademark Brand Association will award certificates and plaques to the brands. It has partnered with credit investigation platforms, and the brands’ credit info can be queried. The info is also on the “Credit Changsha” website and will be protected on IP query platforms.

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