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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UPC Litigation Price War Intensifies: Starting from €300,000

The litigation market of the Unified Patent Court (UPC) in Europe is experiencing intense price competition. As per the “2026 UPC Ranking” survey by JUVE Patent on December 11, successful case endorsements and competitive pricing are crucial for law firms to secure business. The entry – level quote for non – SEP first – instance cases (including invalidation counterclaims) has fallen to €300,000, and complex cases may cost €500,000 – €800,000. This trend offers cost – optimization opportunities and poses challenges in compliance and strategy for Chinese enterprises expanding in the European market.

UPC litigation fees are clearly stratified. Non – SEP cases start at €300,000, with complex cases ranging from €400,000 – €800,000, and occasional ultra – low offers below £200,000. SEP cases have a premium due to complexity. The fixed – fee model is popular among medium – sized enterprises and non – regular litigants.

Four factors, namely cross – subject communication costs, case complexity, team configuration models, and service added value, lead to the large budget span. JUVE Patent anticipates a “stratified competition” pattern in the future UPC service market. Chinese “going – global” enterprises should accurately assess case complexity and plan litigation strategies to control costs and safeguard rights and interests.

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China’s Protection of Intellectual Property Rights Network: Qinghai Promotes All – Round Improvement in Patent Transformation and Utilization

Since this year, Qinghai has focused on ecological civilization and industrial development, promoting all – round improvement in patent transformation and utilization. During the national campaign, patent transfers and licenses exceeded 2,500 times. It completed the patented technology inventory in 12 universities, raising the invention – patent industrialization rate to 7%. In intellectual property financing, the cumulative patent pledge amount reached 907 million yuan in three years, a 120% increase, and achieved the first ten – million – level pure patent pledge loan.

It completed 30 industrial patent navigation projects for characteristic industries. The cultivation of patent – intensive products made breakthroughs, with 2 salt – lake products recognized nationally, associated with 170 high – value patents and generating 63.8 billion yuan in revenue in three years.

Qinghai expanded its public service network, established overseas protection mechanisms and promoted regulation revision. In the future, the Qinghai Intellectual Property Office will build on past experiences to make patent transformation regular and high – quality, supporting Qinghai’s development.

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China’s Intellectual Property Protection Network: Tianjin Releases Patent Navigation Reports for Seven Key Industries

Recently, the Tianjin Intellectual Property Office released patent navigation reports for seven key industries, offering an “innovation map” and “pitfall avoidance guide” for industrial technology development. Tianjin carried out work in three aspects. Firstly, it did systematic planning according to the innovation needs of key industries. This year, it selected seven industries as analysis objects and organized professional institutions to complete the reports by integrating multi – source information. Secondly, in – depth analysis was done to reveal industrial development trends and the competitive landscape, identify technology trends and gaps, warn of risks, and propose countermeasures. Thirdly, precise policies were implemented to empower industrial innovation and scientific decision – making. The reports provided references for business departments, offered patent guidance for park development, and helped innovative entities reduce costs.

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Newly Revised “Regulations on Patent Promotion in Jiangxi Province” Boosts the Construction of a Strong Intellectual Property Province

Recently, the 20th meeting of the Standing Committee of the 14th People’s Congress of Jiangxi Province approved a decision to revise six local regulations, including a systematic revision of the “Regulations on Patent Promotion in Jiangxi Province”. The newly revised Regulations optimize the entire chain mechanism of patent – related activities, offering legal support for the high – quality development of intellectual property in Jiangxi. It will take effect on December 1, 2025.

Based on Jiangxi’s situation, the revision optimizes the original Regulations in multiple aspects. It shifts the assessment of innovative entities from “patent quantity” to “patent quality” and encourages local areas to set up overseas intellectual property dispute guidance mechanisms.

A clause on providing proof of patent validity is added, advancing the process for better pre – event supervision. The Jiangxi market supervision department will study the new Regulations and fulfill its intellectual property enforcement duties to create an innovation – friendly environment.

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Shandong Weifang’s Achievements in Quality and Brand Construction

On December 16th morning, the Weifang Municipal People’s Government Information Office held a press conference on the city’s quality and brand construction this year. Under the leadership of the municipal Party committee and government, Weifang has achieved remarkable results. It has 4 China Quality Awards and nominations, 21 Shandong Governor Quality Awards and nominations, 56 “Good Products of Shandong” brands and 221 high – end brand cultivation enterprises.

In terms of patents, 8 enterprises won the Excellence Award of the 25th China Patent Award. Weifang has accumulated 4 gold, 3 silver, 50 excellence and 2 design excellence awards of the China Patent Award, with 27,650 valid invention patents, ranking third in the province.

Weifang strengthened policy support, built a “big – quality” work pattern, provided financial incentives, and promoted patent transformation. It also carried out various actions, handled patent – related cases and disputes, and will continue to implement the strategy of strengthening the city with quality.

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Xiamen Introduces Guidelines for Market-based Pricing and Trading of Intellectual Property

Recently, the Xiamen Market Supervision and Administration Bureau issued the “Guidelines for Market-based Pricing and Trading of Intellectual Property in Xiamen”, the first of its kind among vice-provincial cities in China. Since the issuance of the “Special Action Plan for the Transformation and Utilization of Patents (2023 – 2025)” by the State Council, Xiamen has actively improved the IP trading market, carried out patent inventory work, held matching activities, and established cross – regional channels.

The “Guidelines” aim to provide an operation guide for innovation entities, enhancing IP asset liquidity and disposal convenience. They apply to IP transactions of patents and trademarks with clear ownership in Xiamen, featuring “vertical implementation, horizontal linkage, and flexible guidance”. They introduce the latest policies, integrate local policies, and are non – mandatory.

The core content includes market – based pricing models (seven methods), trading models (five methods), and policy support. The bureau will promote the implementation of the “Guidelines”, improve platform service efficiency, and accelerate innovation achievement transformation.

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China’s Intellectual Property Protection Network: Zhejiang Wenzhou’s Business Secret Protection Success

Recently, the innovative business secret protection practice led by the Wenzhou Market Supervision and Administration Bureau in Zhejiang was included in the 2025 Compilation of Typical Cases of Zhejiang Province Supporting Enterprises to Reduce Burdens and Increase Efficiency, being the first provincial case on business secret protection. In recent years, Wenzhou has tackled the pain – points in business secret infringement. It built a trinity protection system, introduced the first local regulations on business secret protection, released relevant guidelines, and established a protection alliance. Wenzhou has promoted the construction of protection parks and stations, established a joint law – enforcement center, investigated infringement cases, and launched insurance and loans for business secret protection. The annual output value of relevant protection points in Wenzhou exceeds 59 billion yuan with a profit of over 4.5 billion yuan. The “Wenzhou Model” has been shared at the Yangtze River Delta forum and included in many “best practice cases”.

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Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Global Summit on Technology, R&D and Intellectual Property 2025 in New Delhi spotlights deep tech and IP co-operation

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Global Summit on Technology, R&D and Intellectual Property 2025 in New Delhi concluded on December 16 – 17. It focused on research, deep technology, and intellectual property to drive India’s technological independence. The EPO participated, presenting its role in the European patent system and interacting with IP owners and industry leaders. Industry, policy, and research leaders attended, such as representatives from Tata Steel, Tata Motors, and Mahindra & Mahindra. Discussions revealed alignment between India’s innovation goals and the EPO’s mission.

EPO CSO Roberta Romano – Götsch gave a keynote speech, highlighting patents’ role in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals. She said patents can protect and share knowledge and speed up solutions to global challenges. She also emphasized global IP co – operation in accelerating innovation.

India’s IP performance is notable. In 2024, it had over 100,000 patent applications, over half domestic. There were significant increases in global patent filings and grants in 2023. It climbed in the Global Innovation Index from 2020 to 2024, showing its growing status as an innovation hub and a valuable international partner.

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