intellectual Property Newsletter by MeritsIP, August 12, 2025

intellectual Property Newsletter by MeritsIP, August 12, 2025

August 12, 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.

Hebei Approved as Pilot for AI-Enabled Patent Transformation and Utilization

Recently, the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) approved Hebei Province to conduct a pilot project on promoting patent transformation and utilization via artificial intelligence. Aiming to address problems in technology transfer, Hebei will rely on the National Intellectual Property Information Service Center of Handan Polytechnic College, using AI to boost patent transformation efficiency and industrialization.

The pilot aims to offer full – process services to over 1,000 enterprises in county – level industrial clusters, promote over 10,000 suitable patent technologies, and establish a communication mechanism between patent owners and enterprises. In May, the CNIPA urged localities to build a patent transformation ecosystem and explore using AI for patent – enterprise matching.

Currently, the Hebei pilot is serving the regional economy. Handan Polytechnic College has built a resource library and developed a service model. The CNIPA will support Hebei, and the provincial market supervision department will promote the Handan model to form a Hebei – specific approach for patent industrialization.

2024 Annual Gansu Patent Awards Announced: Lanzhou Wins 40 Honors in Multiple Key Fields

Recently, the Gansu Provincial People’s Government announced the 2024 Gansu Patent Awards. Lanzhou had an excellent performance, with 29 patents winning provincial prizes and 11 inventors getting the Patent Inventor Award. Also, 2 Lanzhou patents won the 25th China Patent Excellence Award, showing its progress in building an intellectual – property – strong city.

This success results from Lanzhou’s long – term focus on independent innovation. By promoting related construction and projects, it has improved patent quality. As of June 2025, it had 13,157 valid invention patents. The awarded patents span key fields like foundation treatment, aerospace, and agriculture.

To increase the value of innovation, Lanzhou has improved intellectual – property financing, carried out relevant actions, released a white list, and subsidized related costs. It has also established a three – level service network, enhanced service capabilities, and provided training and guidance on overseas disputes. The local management department will continue to promote high – quality development.

Chengdu World Games: Intellectual Property Shines

The 2025 12th World Games in Chengdu showcase China’s intellectual property strength. Inside and outside the stadium, patented tech achievements and intangible cultural heritage skills co – exist. Over 20 intelligent robots, such as “Tangba” with an independently – developed bionic gait motion control system and “Xiaozha” providing navigation, add innovation. The “Huanaobao” green smart toilets have an independent IP system and many patents. Around the Games, 88 tech products in 33 scenarios form an IP matrix. Meanwhile, intangible cultural heritage like bamboo weaving and Sichuan opera are creatively transformed, with bamboo – woven medal boxes and Sichuan opera – themed souvenirs spreading local culture. Supported by IP protection, the Games blend tech and traditional culture, writing a new chapter for global events.

State Intellectual Property Office: Focus on Promoting the Transformation and Utilization of “Double Five-Star” Patents and Accelerating the Implementation of a Batch of Patent Industrialization Projects

Recently, the Office of the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) issued a notice on promoting the transformation and utilization of “Double Five-Star” patents and accelerating the implementation of patent industrialization projects. “Double Five-Star” patents are in the inventory patent revitalization system of universities and research institutions, self – evaluated as five – star by them and also rated five – star by one or more enterprises. The notice details target tasks, work methods, and requirements. The goal is to support data mining, promotion, and implementation of these patents and speed up high – value patent industrialization. Work methods include downloading data, classifying and pushing it, holding transformation activities, and using AI for efficiency. Requirements involve strengthening leadership, monitoring the process, and publicizing results.

Regulate and Develop Intellectual Property Pledge Loan Business to Accelerate the Transformation of Scientific and Technological Achievements | Seven Departments Jointly Issue the Guiding Opinions on Financial Support for New – style Industrialization

Recently, seven departments including the People’s Bank of China jointly issued the Guiding Opinions on Financial Support for New – style Industrialization. The goal by 2027 is to establish a mature financial system for the high – end, intelligent, and green development of the manufacturing industry. The “Opinions” propose multiple measures in four aspects: support for technological innovation and supply chain resilience, construction of a modern industrial system, industrial layout and development space, and capacity building and policy coordination. These measures involve optimizing financial policy tools, introducing long – term funds, enhancing financial service quality, improving service flexibility and professionalism, and strengthening internal mechanisms and policy coordination.

Hebei Courts Release Typical Cases of Strengthening Judicial Protection of Intellectual Property Rights of Seed Enterprises

On August 12, 2025, Hebei courts released seven typical cases from 2023 – 2024 to strengthen judicial protection of seed enterprises’ IP rights. These cases show several judicial orientations: strengthening substantial infringement determination (e.g., setting \”actual use\” standard in \”Jimai 22\” case), lightening right – holders’ burden of proof (e.g., inferring propagation materials’ nature in \”Yanshu 25\” case), strengthening criminal sanctions (convicting Zhang Mouke in \”Woyu 3\” case), and enhancing collaborative protection (adopting administrative evidence in \”Tianci Mai 1\” case). Hebei courts will keep offering high – quality judicial services for seed enterprises’ innovation and development.

337 Investigation | Latest 337 Developments Recently

This news summarizes the recent 337 investigations by the US International Trade Commission (ITC). On August 6, the ITC issued partial final rulings on 337 investigations of nasal devices and components, glass substrates for liquid crystal displays and related products, and motorized self – balancing vehicles. Some investigations were terminated due to settlements.

On August 6, the ITC voted to initiate 337 investigations into wearable electroencephalogram devices and systems and components. On August 5, it started an investigation into pre – stretched synthetic braiding hair and packaging (II), and on August 4, it launched an investigation into mobile cellular communication devices.

On August 4, a foreign company (Cerence Operating Company) filed a 337 investigation application against certain smart TVs. The ITC will determine the investigation’s end – date within 45 days after case – filing. Except when vetoed by the US Trade Representative for policy reasons, the relief orders in 337 cases take effect from issuance and become final 60 days later.

Beijing Intellectual Property Court: Used – car Testing Agency Ordered to Stop Using “Forensic Appraisal” and Pay Compensation

In an unfair competition dispute, the Beijing Intellectual Property Court ruled against a vehicle appraisal company (Appellant) on behalf of an internet company (Appellee). Both are in the second – hand car appraisal business. The court found the appellant spread false or misleading info about the appellee’s “Dr. XX” brand on platforms, engaged in false advertising by fabricating qualifications and making false claims, and its use of “Forensic Appraisal” in the name with false judicial connection claims was misleading. The court ordered the appellant to stop unfair practices, stop using “Forensic Appraisal” in its name, issue a clarification, and upheld the first – instance court’s decision to award 900,000 yuan in economic damages and 200,000 yuan in reasonable expenses to the appellee. The second – instance court dismissed the appellant’s appeal.

Copyright | Beijing Intellectual Property Court: Second – Instance Ruling Changed! Those Who Imitate Exhibition Sculpture Works Should Destroy Infringing Copies and Make an Apology

This is a copyright infringement case. Appellant Zheng sued Beijing Zhengde Fengze Real Estate Development Co., Ltd. and Dordon Planning & Design (Beijing) Co., Ltd. for copyright infringement. The court found that Zhengde Fengze, as the real – estate project developer and design client, didn’t fulfill reasonable review obligations and was liable for infringing Zheng’s reproduction, signature, and exhibition rights of the sculpture. Dordon, a professional design firm, provided detailed design and construction guidance without proper risk warnings and was jointly and severally liable. The court upheld the first – instance judgment on stopping the infringement, awarding 300,000 yuan in losses and 25,000 yuan in reasonable expenses. Moreover, the second – instance court ordered the two companies to destroy the infringing copies within 30 days after the judgment takes effect and make a written apology to Zheng within 10 days.

The Trademark Registration Issue of “Langlang Mountain Little Monsters”

On August 11th at 11:00, the animated film The Little Monsters of Langlang Mountain‘s cumulative box – office exceeded 574 million yuan, becoming the highest – grossing domestic 2D animated film in China. Yet, the rights – holder, Shanghai Film (Group) Co., Ltd., has failed to register the trademarks of “Langlang Mountain” or “Langlang Mountain Little Monsters”. The “Little Monsters” trademarks were successfully registered in many cases, but all 118 applications for the “Langlang Mountain” trademark were rejected, including 14 by Shanghai Film Group in January 2013. The CNIPA considered “Langlang Mountain” a popular online term, lacking the distinctiveness for a trademark in Class 41 services. The applicant’s evidence couldn’t prove it had acquired distinctiveness through use. But there’s a chance. Based on Article 11.2 of the Trademark Law, marks that have gained distinctiveness through use can be registered. With the film’s high box – office, Shanghai Film Group may succeed if it provides new evidence.

Japan Survey Company Releases Patent Landscape of DNA Data Storage Technology

On July 24, 2025, Japanese survey company Astamuse released the patent landscape of DNA data storage and related technologies. The survey tracked technology keyword evolution to analyze and predict hot – spot and future focus technologies, and technology stages. Since 2015, terms related to high – density DNA molecule integration, error – correcting coding, and DNA synthesis equipment have shown trends in the industry. “Single – molecule” and “data – encoding” keywords indicate higher – precision data reading development, while “anti – counterfeiting” and “security” reflect an emphasis on data security. The number of related patent applications increased from 2016 – 2019, stabilized, and then declined since 2022, suggesting a shift from basic research to practical application. The R & D focus has now moved to more efficient and cost – effective storage systems.

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