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.

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National Intellectual Property Administration’s Party Group Theoretically Studies Xi Jinping’s Party Building Thought

On July 30, the Party Group Theoretical Learning Center Group of the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) held a learning session chaired by Shen Changyu. Party group members and Patent Office leaders shared learning experiences, seeing studying Xi Jinping’s Party building thought as an important political task. They aimed to understand its essence and integrate learning into promoting the Party – building project, supporting the “Two Establishments” and implementing the “Two Safeguards”.

The meeting emphasized using the thought to guide Party – building work, combining it with related studies. The CNIPA will strengthen political organization construction, consolidate the grassroots foundation, fulfill Party – building responsibilities, promote inspection and rectification, and enhance the building of teams. High – quality Party building will lead the development of the intellectual property cause and contribute to Chinese modernization. Party group members and relevant leaders participated in the session.

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Adjustment of PCT Application International Phase Fees from August 1, 2026

The China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) issued a notice on the China – EU PCT International Searching Authority pilot project, stating that the EPO’s international search fees will be collected in RMB. From August 1, 2026, the RMB standard for collecting these fees will change. The CNIPA will charge 14,870 RMB for the international search fee on behalf of the EPO in this project. Any further changes to the RMB standard will be notified separately. This standard applies to PCT applications submitted to the CNIPA with a receipt date on or after August 1, 2026, and selecting the EPO as the international searching authority.

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Tightening of Existing Patent Application Rules in New Zealand

The New Zealand Parliament has amended its patent system, imposing stricter review requirements on some divisional patent applications filed under earlier legislation. These amendments aim to tackle transitional issues from the shift from the 1953 to the 2013 Patent Act. By tightening review for eligible divisional applications, legislators ensure the patent system’s consistency, in line with the global trend of improving patent quality.

Patent quality is a major global policy concern as over – broad or poorly – reviewed patents can cause uncertainties. Strict reviews enhance legal certainty and support innovation. Technology – intensive businesses should assess the impact of these amendments on their pending applications.

Applicants may need to re – evaluate their application strategies, and patent agents should review affected portfolios. Although these amendments may not draw wide attention, they reinforce the principle of strict and high – quality patent reviews.

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Japan Patent Office Releases 2026 Patent Administration Annual Report

On July 27, 2026, the Japan Patent Office (JPO) released the 2026 Patent Administration Annual Report. It covered the application and authorization trends of intellectual property at home and abroad, and the IP utilization by enterprises and universities. In 2025, patent and utility – model applications received by the JPO rose year – on – year, trademark authorization volume turned from decline to increase, and design applications decreased. The design review approval rate was 88.0%, lower than the previous year.

The report detailed patent application, authorization, and review for different types (patent, utility model, design, trademark). It also presented enterprise IP activities, with increased patent applications from domestic and foreign enterprises in Japan, and specific R & D expenses and IP royalty balance figures. Regarding university IP activities, there were more co – operative and commissioned research projects in 2024, increased patent applications in 2025 but a decrease in patent license implementations and related income in 2024.

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EU Trademarks Drive Record-High Intellectual Property Applications in H1 2026

In H1 2026, the EUIPO saw a record number of IP applications. EU trademark and design applications totaled 166,214, up 4.7% from last year. EU trademark apps rose 8.4% due to strong EU single – market internal demand, with EU member states’ apps up 14.6%. France had the highest growth rate. China, though down 12.4%, was still the top applicant country. Germany had the most apps among EU nations.

EU design apps slightly decreased by 1% in H1 2026. Eight of the top – ten applicant countries saw declines, but EU member states’ apps increased by 1.6%. Spain had a 28% increase, and Germany grew by 2.9%. China led in EU design apps.

Since the new CIGI system launched in December 2025, 81 first applications were accepted in H1 2026, with Portugal submitting the most. These figures show strong and continuous demand for the EU IP system.

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US Patent and Trademark Office Launches Large – Scale Compliance Investigation into 5,981 Trademarks

On July 13, 2026, the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) issued an order accusing the Indian trademark agency Global Trademark Co. LLC and related parties of violating regulations in at least 5,981 US trademark applications. The USPTO will re – examine these trademarks and revoke them if needed. The accused conducted business under various names and were found to have represented others without US legal practice qualifications, used false information, and evaded rules. Key violations included unauthorized practice, using US lawyers for accounts, violating rules after suspension orders, and forgery. The USPTO’s proposed sanctions involve re – examining trademarks, adjusting application reviews, and restricting access rights. The accused must submit a written defense by August 13, 2026. This case may impact Chinese enterprises, and Chinese “going – global” companies and foreign – related IP agencies should note the tightened review standards.

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Tokyo SEP and Mediation Seminar: How Can the Practices of UPC, WIPO, and China Converge?

On July 15, the “International Seminar on SEP and Mediation” took place at Keio University’s Mita Campus. Judges and experts from UPC, Tokyo District Court, Shenzhen International Arbitration Institute, and WIPO delivered speeches. After analyzing the presentations of Zigann, Wollgast, and Wang Yanfang: 1. Matthias Zigann discussed UPC’s FRAND adjudication and PMAC potential. SEP disputes differ from traditional patent cases, and ADR can provide one – stop solutions. UPC has a FRAND adjudication path, and PMAC may lead to a “judicial + ADR” model. 2. Heike Wollgast introduced WIPO’s SEP/FRAND practices. With SEP dispute globalization, ADR is significant. WIPO has a large ADR expert network, and its mediation has a high settlement rate. The “WIPO Mediation Pledge” aims to support SMEs. 3. Wang Yanfang talked about China’s SEP procedures and mediation. Chinese SEP lawsuits are international, and international dispute – resolution institutions may play bigger roles. China’s experiences contribute to global FRAND governance, and international cooperation is essential.

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USPTO Designates Precedential Appeals Review Panel Decision on Obviousness – Type Double Patenting

On August 6, 2026, the USPTO designated the Appeals Review Panel (ARP) decision in Ex parte Baurin (Appeal 2024 – 002920) as precedential. The ARP, led by Director John A. Squires, Chief Judge Kalyan Deshpande, and Acting Deputy Chief Judge Michelle Ankenbrand, reversed a PTAB decision and reinstated the examiner’s rejection of claims for obviousness – type double patenting (OTDP). The ARP explained the statutory, precedential, and commercial reasons for OTDP. It mentioned that the Federal Circuit has accepted the anti – harassment rationale for the OTDP doctrine without proof of extended patent monopoly. But the ARP questioned if this standalone rationale could harm innovation and called for court reconsideration. Moreover, the ARP proposed a future framework to simplify and make the Office’s OTDP handling more predictable.

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