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, the Intermediate People’s Court of Xiamen, in collaboration with relevant departments, conducted an integrated trial of a patent invalidation request and a civil infringement dispute in a remote way. This solves the problems of long cycles in cross – wise patent administrative and civil procedures, marking a new stage in the central – local collaborative construction of intellectual property protection.

During the trial, the patent office’s panel reviewed the invalidation request, and the court’s panel sorted out disputes. After that, the court held a civil infringement trial. With clear technical facts, the parties reached industrial cooperation and withdrew the lawsuit and request in just three working days.

Before the trial, the Xiamen Intermediate People’s Court used the protection center’s technical force, disassembled and compared products, and studied technical features, providing a basis for infringement determination.

2026 National Intellectual Property Administration Directors’ Meeting Work Report (Excerpt)

This report summarizes China’s IP achievements during the 14th Five – Year Plan (2021 – 2025) and outlines 2026 key tasks. Achievements include governance improvement (CNIPA adjustment, policy establishment), legal enhancement (law revisions), creation quality improvement (advanced review systems), protection strengthening (many protection centers), utilization benefit growth (patent transformation), public service optimization (national platform), international cooperation expansion, and foundation consolidation. Key tasks for 2026 cover leadership and policy implementation, creation quality improvement, protection level upgrade, utilization benefit release, service optimization, international cooperation deepening, foundation strengthening, and Party building and discipline.

Fujian Achieves “Multi – Certificate Joint Handling” of Data to Create Efficient Services for Enterprises

Recently, Fujian has achieved one – stop registration of data property rights, intellectual property rights, and assets via the interconnection of relevant platforms. This is a key step in exploring the coordination between data intellectual property and property rights systems. Under the guidance of relevant provincial departments, the Provincial Intellectual Property Protection Center and the Fujian Big Data Exchange formulated an interconnection plan. Enterprises can trigger three registration processes with one application and get certificates after review and publicity. The “multi – certificate joint handling” mechanism enhances service efficiency, constructs a closed – loop support system, and solves circulation problems in the data element chain. This service launch is an important achievement of Fujian’s data intellectual property pilot. In the future, Fujian will deepen the pilot, improve the service mechanism, optimize the review process, and explore innovative models to boost the digital economy.

Japanese Government Considers Improving the Patent Linkage System for Generic Drugs

The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) lacks legal experience and information to assess generic drug patent infringement. Japanese courts don’t allow pre – approval non – infringement declaratory judgments. To improve the system, the MHLW released a report suggesting an expert panel to evaluate generic drug patent infringement risk. The MHLW plans to pilot the expert panel system and decide on permanent adoption based on results. This may improve approval processes and reduce post – approval disputes. The MHLW is compiling an expert list and will announce more details. It’s too early to evaluate the system. Brand companies should keep submitting patent lists. The trial period is undetermined, and the system’s long – term effectiveness remains to be seen.

China Intellectual Property Research Association Releases Report on Empirical Study and System Improvement of Patent Injunctions in Chinese Judicial Practice

In December 2025, the China Intellectual Property Research Association released a report on patent injunction rules in Chinese judicial practice. It analyzes the current system and offers reform suggestions. The “infringement equals cessation” principle has caused structural dilemmas. The report details four challenges in different scenarios. It also compares overseas institutional evolution, where jurisdictions have moved to more cautious review. Reform proposals include shifting from “automatic application” to “prudent weighing” and improving various injunction rules. China urgently needs to reform its system to build a more flexible, balanced, and industry – friendly one in line with international trends.

China’s Intellectual Property Protection Network

The China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) Trademark Office announced the 2025 Outstanding Trademark Acceptance Window Awards. The Lanzhou Trademark Acceptance Window in Gansu Province won due to its excellent service, high – efficiency, and innovative measures. It focuses on applicant needs, optimizing processes for “One – Window Service” and “Once – Visit” for trademarks. It promotes electronic applications and e – business licenses. The window also emphasizes service quality, offering proactive guidance to startups and small businesses with “One – on – One” assistance. To improve service, it conducts weekly random satisfaction surveys (covering about 10% of cases) using various methods and has a full – cycle management system. The window’s official sees the award as both an encouragement and a challenge, and the team will keep optimizing the business environment and contributing to high – quality economic development.

Use of AI to support minute-taking in examination and opposition oral proceedings set to expand

Since May 2025, around 150 oral proceedings successfully piloted AI-supported minute drafting. Due to positive feedback from users and participating divisions, this AI-assisted approach will expand in 2026 to all oral proceedings in examination, opposition, and those before the Receiving Section and the Legal Division.

AI helps divisions by recording audio in video-conferencing and generating transcripts. After proceedings, the second member processes transcripts with another AI tool to draft minutes, which are finalized per Rule 124(3) EPC. The recording and transcript are deleted after minute issuance.

The 2025 pilot refined and sped up transcript generation and improved prompting tools. Examination and opposition divisions noticed better consistency, structure, and language in minutes, pleasing involved parties. Minute-takers had more time for discussions and found the process more effective. The European Patent Office also issued related decisions, notices, and FAQs in 2025.

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.