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.

Hubei Wuhan Optimizes Full – Chain Patent Navigation Services, Saving Enterprises Hundreds of Millions in R & D Costs This Year

As of December 2, 2025, data from the Wuhan Intellectual Property Protection Center showed that patent navigation services saved local enterprises over 100 million yuan in R & D costs, and related patent products achieved sales of over 700 million yuan, covering key sectors such as intelligent manufacturing and optoelectronic information. The center built a full – process IP work system for Wuhan’s key industries, promoting innovation – to – economic – benefit transformation. It conducted in – depth enterprise demand research, provided core – technology patent navigation services to clarify R & D directions, avoid IP risks, and optimize resource allocation. In patent layout and transformation, it guided enterprises to turn tech advantages into market competitiveness, improved patent application quality and authorization efficiency, and helped over 50 enterprises get financial support and promoted over 100 pre – examined patent transfers. A “IP + finance” service team was set up to offer diversified support, assisting enterprises in applying for over 10 national and provincial projects and promoting 23 R & D cooperation projects worth over 230 million yuan. The center will continue to improve the rapid pre – examination mechanism and optimize the full – chain service system for a better innovation ecosystem.

China’s Domestic Valid Invention Patents Exceed 5 Million

The latest data from the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) reveals that China is the world’s first country with over 5 million domestic valid invention patents. Its PCT international patent applications have led globally for six consecutive years. Chinese brands among the world’s top 5,000 are valued at $1.81 trillion, ranking second globally, and the direct output value of geographical indication products is nearly 970 billion yuan.

As of the end of June this year, the number of high – value invention patents per 10,000 people reached 15.3, surpassing the 14th Five – Year Plan target. The number of valid invention patents in strategic emerging industries exceeded 1.4 million and grew rapidly. In key fields like AI, advanced manufacturing, etc., high – value patent reserves were strengthened, promoting the shift from “quantity accumulation” to “quality improvement”.

In the “Global Innovation Index Report 2025”, China’s ranking rose to 10th, entering the global top ten for the first time. It has 24 of the world’s top 100 innovation clusters, ranking first globally for three consecutive years.

Zhejiang Issues Guidelines for Pre – patent Application Evaluation

The Zhejiang Intellectual Property Office, along with other provincial departments, issued the “Guidelines for Pre – patent Application Evaluation in Zhejiang Province” to deepen relevant reforms and shift patent work from “quantity – scale” to “quality – efficiency”. The guidelines establish a pre – patent application evaluation mechanism. It sets phased goals: by the end of 2026, cover provincial – owned institutions and promote evaluation for provincial fiscal – funded science and technology projects; by the end of 2027, achieve 100% evaluation implementation rate for relevant entities’ fiscal – funded projects. The mechanism is standardized with seven secondary indicators, a three – level rating system and four types of conclusions, and a secondary evaluation mechanism. Different project types have different processes. Multi – department collaboration is strengthened. The intellectual property department uses results for patent pre – examination and resource allocation. Other departments incorporate evaluation into project approval, management and acceptance. Applicants can integrate it into performance evaluation and entrust third – parties.

“Implementation Plan for the Construction of Yunnan Province’s Overseas Intellectual Property Dispute Response Guidance and Service System” Issued

On December 4, 2025, the Yunnan Provincial Intellectual Property Office and the Yunnan Branch of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade jointly issued the “Implementation Plan for the Construction of Yunnan Province’s Overseas Intellectual Property Dispute Response Guidance and Service System”. Aiming to address overseas IP protection pain – points, the plan clarifies goals and tasks for building a guidance and service system. It encourages relevant institutions to set up overseas practice institutions or workstations, promotes the construction of the Kunming Sub – center of the Overseas Intellectual Property Dispute Response Guidance Center, and advocates for publicity and training. The two departments will strengthen cooperation to promote overseas IP dispute response work, serving citizens and organizations and contributing to high – level opening – up and high – quality economic development.

China National Intellectual Property Administration Issues Notice on Strengthening Trademark Use Management

On December 4, 2025, the Office of the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) issued a notice to strengthen trademark use management. Aligned with laws like the Trademark Law, it aims to manage illegal trademark use, guide proper exercise of trademark rights, promote fair competition, and drive high – quality development. The notice focuses on key areas, including the use of unregistered trademarks with deceptive content and deceptive use of registered trademarks. It also scrutinizes five other types of illegal acts. Moreover, it makes arrangements for work mechanisms, investigations, and lead handling. Provincial intellectual property administrations are required to raise awareness, recognize the importance of trademark management, enhance initiative, and coordinate to build a good legal trademark – use order and safeguard public interests.

Litigation Matters 2025

On December 3 and 4, 2025, the European Patent Office (EPO), collaborating with the European Patent Lawyers Association (EPLAW) and the European Patent Litigators Association (EPLIT), held the Litigation Matters 2025 online conference. With 1,300 registered participants, it centered on key developments in Unified Patent Court (UPC) litigation, crucial for European patent enforcement. Topics covered included standard essential patents, supplementary protection certificates, cross – border disputes, and the role of mediation and arbitration. The program had in – depth sessions on claim interpretation, SPCs, SEP and FRAND – related disputes, and cross – border litigation. Discussions stressed the need for continuous exchange between the judicial and practitioner communities as UPC jurisprudence evolves. The EPO reaffirmed its support for high – quality patent litigation and dialogue with relevant parties, in line with its 2028 Strategic Plan. Litigation Matters is a core part of the EPO’s litigation training, offering a platform for legal professionals to discuss UPC developments and practical litigation issues.

EPO and BusinessEurope Strengthen Dialogue on Quality and Innovation

On December 2, 2025, EPO President António Campinos led a delegation in an annual online meeting with BusinessEurope’s Patents Working Group. The meeting reviewed recent developments and discussed future priorities. Campinos highlighted progress in the EPO’s Strategic Plan 2028, quality and timeliness improvements, financial performance, and a human – centric digital approach. Participants talked about the Unitary Patent and validation agreements, patent law harmonization, and the EPO Observatory’s work on SEPs. They also discussed AI – related patent filings and legal changes for a paperless process by 2027. The Unitary Patent system was commended for its simplicity and cost – effectiveness, with over 75,000 requests since 2023. The EPO and BusinessEurope stressed the need for an efficient USPC regime. Support for SMEs and micro – entities was addressed, with the EPO outlining initiatives to lower patenting barriers. In October, a working – level exchange focused on quality – related topics. These meetings demonstrate the commitment of the EPO and BusinessEurope to an open dialogue for a high – quality, efficient European patent system.

The workflow execution failed. The error message indicates that the input data is incorrect as fields cannot be extracted from null values, and you are advised to check your input for any empty values. Please ensure the provided URL is valid and try again.

About Us

MeritsIP: Your Global Intellectual Property Partner

At MeritsIP, we provide comprehensive IP services in biomedicine, medical devices, manufacturing, semiconductors, and AI. We support 200+ top clients globally with strategic, high-quality IP services.

Stay Connected

• • Website: https://www.meritsipglobal.com

• • LinkedIn: Follow us on LinkedIn

• • Email: info@meritsip.com

© 2025 MeritsIP. All Rights Reserved.