Intellectual Property Newsletter by MeritsIP, February 02, 2026

Intellectual Property Newsletter by MeritsIP, February 02, 2026

February 2, 2026 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’s Protection of Intellectual Property Rights Network

Recently, two group standards, “Guidelines for Patent Navigation in the Salt Lake Industry” and “Specifications for Patent Value Assessment in Salt Lakes”, were released and implemented in Qinghai, filling the provincial gap in intellectual property standardization in this field. The former defines three navigation paths and offers standard processes and application methods for patent navigation projects. The latter constructs a three – dimensional evaluation system, making assessment evidence – based and results quantifiable, and providing a “salt lake sample” for other resource – based industries. In recent years, Qinghai has promoted 3 intellectual property group standards. The Qinghai Intellectual Property Office will use these two standards to promote their application in the salt lake industry chain, activate innovation factor flow, and support high – quality development of Qinghai’s salt lake industry.

Tianjin Baodi Multi – department Promotes Patent Promotion Regulations to Stimulate Enterprise Innovation

Recently, the Market Supervision Administration of Baodi District, Tianjin, along with multiple departments, held a publicity meeting for the “Tianjin Patent Promotion Regulations” and a meeting for patent transformation and utilization. The Baodi Market Supervision Administration’s officials introduced the background and main contents of the “Regulations”, which will establish an intellectual – property full – chain policy system and drive innovation. Innovation entities like enterprises, universities, and medical institutions are encouraged to learn and apply the “Regulations”.

During expert lectures, instructors from the Baodi Intellectual Property Operation Center explained patent transformation and “double – five – star” patents. Lecturers from Beijing Pinyuan Intellectual Property Co., Ltd. provided training on PCT patent and foreign – related trademark applications. They also guided innovation entities to expand patent protection and enhance competitiveness.

A Baodi Market Supervision Administration official said the event, starting from policy publicity and aiming at transformation and utilization, helps turn “patent certificates” into “productive forces”, injecting intellectual – property impetus into Tianjin’s new – quality productive forces and high – quality development.

2025 Shaanxi Xianyang’s Patent Pledge Financing Reaches 209 Million Yuan

In 2025, Xianyang City, Shaanxi Province, had 17 intellectual property pledge contracts, with 204 patents pledged and a patent pledge financing amount of 209 million yuan, 2.6 times that of 2024, ranking second in the province. The city’s invention patent holdings reached 4,304, up 25.3% year – on – year, and effective trademark registrations were 62,314, a 5.5% year – on – year increase. Since the launch of the special action on patent transformation and utilization, Xianyang established a \”policy guarantee – event empowerment – service support\” model. It overcame transformation bottlenecks via local legislation, introduced relevant regulations, and set up a special fund. It also held patent competitions, strengthened quality control, organized patent inventories, held docking activities, and carried out an action to expand pledge financing.

China’s Intellectual Property Protection Network

Intellectual property, as a key part of new quality productivity, supports a city’s innovation and high – quality development. By the end of 2025, Qingdao in Shandong had 95,600 valid invention patents (up 13.3% year – on – year), 92.18 valid invention patents per 10,000 people, 579,000 valid trademark registrations, and 859 PCT international patent applications annually, all ranking first in the province.

Qingdao focuses on high – tech, specialized and new, and technology – based enterprises to promote patent – intensive products. In the 25th China Patent Award, it won 15 silver and excellent awards, ranking first in the province and accounting for 36% of the total. Six universities became Shandong High – value Patent Cultivation Centers, three service institutions were included in Shandong Service Patent Industrialization Institutions, and two projects won provincial key industrial patent pools. Seventy units filed 972 patent – intensive products, 89 were recognized by CNIPA, with 11,948 associated patents.

Henan Ranks Among the Top Ten in the Country in Total Patent Product Filings

Recently, statistics show that in 2025, Henan Province filed 4,374 patent products, a 58.65% year – on – year increase, with a cumulative total of 6,482 filed products, ranking 9th in the country and 2nd in central China. The previous year’s sales volume was 271.8 billion yuan, up 72.57% year – on – year. Henan attaches great importance to patent product filing, focusing on key enterprises and expanding coverage. In 2025, 1,404 enterprises filed, a 40.54% increase. An “online + offline” service mechanism was established. In 2025, filed products were associated with 33,774 patents, a 42.39% increase. A dynamic monitoring mechanism for filing data was set up, and a work pattern was constructed. In the future, Henan will deepen the patent transformation and utilization mechanism.

“十四五”末黑龙江每万人口高价值发明专利拥有量达6.38件

By the end of the 14th Five – Year Plan period, Heilongjiang achieved 6.38 high – value invention patents per 10,000 people, surpassing the planned target. This figure represents a 148% increase (up 3.81) compared to the end of the 13th Five – Year Plan period.

Over the past five years, Heilongjiang implemented relevant plans, established a joint – meeting system, and enacted local intellectual property regulations. By the end of 2025, the province saw a 6.43% rise in the effective number of invention patents. The proportion of enterprise invention patents increased from 29% to 37%, and the number of effective trademark registrations went up by 8%. Some cities and counties participated in national IP – related programs.

In protection, the IP protection system was enhanced, and significant event IPs were safeguarded. The national IP protection assessment score exceeded 90. 2,510 patent infringement cases were handled. The province also had many geographical indication products and trademarks with demonstration zones.

In utilization, an IP operation service system was set up. There were 23,600 patent transfers and licenses, and many patents were industrialized. The IP financial service consortium was established, with the IP pledge registration amount over 20 billion yuan.

For services, the IP service system was gradually improved, with over 200 public service institutions and nearly 4,000 platform users. An integrated service platform was built, and the provincial IP protection center authorized 2,225 patents.

Suzhou Company Sues Samsung Electronics for LED Patent Infringement

Recently, Suzhou Lijin Semiconductor Co., Ltd. sued Samsung (China) Investment Co., Ltd. and Gome Electrical Appliances Group Co., Ltd. in the Nanjing Intermediate People’s Court, alleging that they manufactured and sold multiple Samsung – branded LED TV products infringing two of its core light – emitting device patents. The court has accepted the cases and set the trial for early March 2026. The lawsuit involves key basic technologies for improving LED device performance. Lijin Semiconductor requests the defendants to stop the infringement, destroy the inventory, and has made preliminary compensation claims.

Samsung has faced patent disputes in recent years. In 2025, its panel subsidiary settled with BOE after a three – year global lawsuit. Lijin Semiconductor, founded in 2021, acquired LG Innotek’s optoelectronic compound semiconductor division, obtaining thousands of global patents. It has over 4,150 authorized patents globally and will continue intellectual property protection actions.

China, the global manufacturing center for LED products, is seeing Chinese LED companies leap from following to leading in new – generation display technologies. This lawsuit reflects Chinese innovative forces using patent assets to protect R & D results and participate in market rule – making.

Complaint Attached | Patent Battle over Smart Glasses: Solos Sues Meta and Essilor in the US, Seeking Billions in Damages

On January 23, Solos Technology filed a lawsuit against Meta, EssilorLuxottica, Ray – Ban, and Oakley in the US District Court for the District of Massachusetts. Solos alleged that their smart glasses infringed on multiple core patents related to audio, sensing, and processing technologies. It demands “billions of dollars” in compensation and an injunction to halt sales, also revealing that Meta accessed its core technologies before product launch.

Solos claims Meta and EssilorLuxottica used its “basic technical architecture” in smart glasses, mainly targeting the 2023 Ray – Ban Meta Wayfarer Gen 1. Since subsequent versions are based on the first – generation model, Solos argues Meta’s continued use of patented technologies is continuous infringement.

Solos, from Kopin Corporation, began patent layout in 2015, earlier than Meta’s entry into the market. Interactions between Solos and Meta – related parties raised Solos’ suspicion of infringement.

As the smart – glasses market grows, patent disputes are increasing. Earlier this month, Xreal sued Viture, and Meta faces another lawsuit over Neural Band technology. As of now, Meta and EssilorLuxottica haven’t publicly responded.

Heavyweight! Nokia Signs Another Patent License Agreement with a Leading Chinese Automobile Manufacturer

On January 20, 2026, Nokia, a communication technology giant, announced a new bilateral patent license agreement with a leading Chinese automaker. It’s a significant step in Nokia’s IP licensing in the intelligent connected vehicle field, indicating a deeper cooperation with the Chinese automotive industry. The Chinese automaker will use Nokia’s 2G – 5G cellular and core Wi – Fi technologies in its connected vehicles, which support functions like online navigation and in – car entertainment. Nokia’s Chief Licensing Officer, Susanna Martikainen, said Nokia has signed agreements with five Chinese automakers, crediting Chinese automakers’ growing respect for IP. She also warned non – licensing automakers, stating they must legally license patented technologies, and Nokia will take legal action if needed to ensure fair competition and uphold the FRAND principle and a healthy IP ecosystem.

IPR-intensive industries drive Europe’s economy, trade and startup funding

A new study by the EPO and EUIPO shows that IPR-intensive industries are crucial for Europe’s competitiveness. From 2021 – 2023, they contributed nearly half of the EU’s GDP, over 30% of jobs with higher pay, and accounted for a large share of EU exports and imports, leading to a €108 billion trade surplus. The study includes 361 such industries, with growth in sectors like pharma and electronics. Patent-intensive industries provided over 25 million jobs. There’s a strong link between IPR and financing intensity, as 88% of private equity and venture capital in the EU went to related startups. EPO President and EUIPO Executive Director stressed the significance of a strong IP system. The EPO’s tool helps connect investors with European patent – holding startups.

Grandchip Communications Wins Initial Ruling in US “337 Investigation”

On January 25, 2026, Grandchip Communications (688653) announced that the US International Trade Commission’s Administrative Law Judge issued an initial ruling in the “Section 337 Investigation” filed by Skyworks. The ruling found that Grandchip’s subsidiaries and related enterprises did not violate Section 337 and did not infringe Skyworks’ patents.

In 2024, Skyworks sued Grandchip’s subsidiaries for patent infringement in US federal court and filed an investigation application with the ITC. The ITC launched the investigation in August 2024. On January 24, 2026 (Beijing time), the ITC judge preliminarily ruled that Grandchip did not infringe two patents, and three patents were terminated due to Skyworks’ withdrawal.

Grandchip values intellectual property management. This ruling supports its product exports to the US. It’s an initial result, and both parties can request a review. A final win would help Grandchip consolidate overseas market share and influence, marking a breakthrough for Chinese RF front – end chip enterprises. The investigation doesn’t directly affect non – US overseas markets, and there’ll be no large – scale litigation expenses in 2026.

South Africa Officially Adopts the 13th Edition of the Nice Classification, Effective January 1, 2026

South Africa has officially adopted the 13th Edition (2026) of the International Classification of Goods and Services for the Purposes of the Registration of Marks (the “Nice Classification”), effective January 1, 2026. The new version applies to all trademark applications filed from that date, and applicants should check the updated classification when preparing international trademark applications.

The Nice Classification, as explained by WIPO, is an international classification for trademark registration. A new version is issued every three years with annual updates. The 2026 version adjusts the classification of goods and services, re – classifying some products and services, and aligns trademark classification with functions and uses rather than forms or traditional industry associations. The article also lists category – specific changes.

Vietnam Plans to Update Guidelines for Patent Application Examination in Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology

Under JICA’s support, Vietnam’s Intellectual Property Office is drafting supplementary appendices for its “Patent Examination Guidelines” in pharma and biotech. Expected to be released in early 2026 as Appendices III and IV, they follow the 2023 release of Appendices I and II on computer – program – related inventions. A seminar was held to gather feedback from stakeholders. The current guidelines don’t fully tackle practical issues in pharma and biotech patent examination. Appendix III offers detailed guidance on patent specification requirements, including disclosure, clarity, and disclaimers. Appendix IV focuses on patent novelty and inventiveness, with evaluation principles and examples. These appendices are a step towards a more transparent patent review framework, but issues like repeated authorization and multi – topic applications await future solutions.

Access Advance Licensors ETRI, Philips Sue Meta at UPC and Munich Local Court, Seeking Injunctions and Damages

On January 26 local time, ETRI and Philips, major licensees of the Access Advance patent pool, filed multiple patent infringement lawsuits against Meta at the UPC in Europe and the Munich Local Court in Germany. ETRI sued at the Düsseldorf Local Division of the UPC and the Munich First Local Court and applied for a Preliminary Injunction in Munich. Philips sued at the Munich Local Court. The Munich court has an efficient and tough law – enforcement stance, and ETRI’s relevant patent was upheld as valid by the BGH, increasing its chance of getting a temporary injunction. Last week, Access Advance said all licensees whose agreements could have expired at the end of 2025 had renewed, making Meta, which has no licensing deal, more isolated. Meta’s legal team is under pressure as it also faces multiple disputes in the US.

Munich Ban Takes Effect: UK’s Interim License Invalidated in Nokia’s Video Patent War

On January 22, 2026, the Munich Regional Court I found Acer and ASUS infringed Nokia’s European patent in a video codec case and issued a German – wide ban. This shows the divergence between UK and German SEP adjudication paths, as the UK High Court had ruled Acer, ASUS, and Hisense were entitled to a FRAND interim license.

The dispute stems from Nokia’s global video patent licensing war. Since April 2025, Nokia has sued these companies in multiple countries. The UK High Court ruled in December 2025 that the three companies could get an interim license at $0.365 per device, and Nokia plans to appeal. On January 8, 2026, Nokia settled with Hisense.

The Munich court’s decision will impact Acer and ASUS in the German market. The ban raises litigation costs and uncertainty, increasing the chance of a negotiated settlement. This case also shows differences in global SEP governance. The UK court focuses on contract law, while the German court and UPC emphasize injunctions and efficiency. Future coordination among legal jurisdictions is crucial to ease SEP disputes.

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