Intellectual Property Newsletter by MeritsIP, January 26, 2026

Intellectual Property Newsletter by MeritsIP, January 26, 2026

January 26, 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 Intellectual Property Protection Network: Xi’an Launches “Hardcore Patent Transformation Express”

On January 20, the Xi’an Intellectual Property Transfer and Transformation Center held the 2026 first patent roadshow docking event, focusing on “γ – TiAl high – temperature lightweight materials” patent transfer and titanium industry synergy. As the opening of the “Xi’an · Hardcore Patent Transformation Express” series, it aimed to integrate the industrial and innovation chains. Professor Lin Junpin from USTB analyzed high – temperature lightweight materials’ trends for Shaanxi’s titanium industry. Professor Li Donggang from Northeastern University presented his team’s core tech achievements and discussed material applications. In the sample display and discussion, enterprise reps talked with experts and many showed cooperation interest. The center said the event implemented regulations, clarified needs, and accumulated experience. It was jointly hosted by platforms and co – organized by companies, with over 60 reps attending.

China’s Protection of Intellectual Property Rights Network: Jiangxi Innovates in Cross – regional Online Patent Rights Protection for the Ceramic Industry

Recently, under the guidance of the Jiangxi Provincial Market Supervision and Administration Bureau, the Jingdezhen Intellectual Property Protection Center and an intellectual property rapid rights – protection center in another province carried out a cross – regional online oral hearing and efficiently settled a ceramic design patent infringement case. This is the first online cooperation among members of the National Cross – regional Intellectual Property Rapid Collaborative Protection Alliance for Ceramic Production Areas. The efficient settlement is due to the precise implementation of the cross – regional cooperation mechanism. In 2025, the Jiangxi Provincial Market Supervision and Administration Bureau promoted the establishment of the cross – regional alliance. The successful handling of this case provides replicable experience for national cross – regional intellectual property protection. The bureau will strengthen guidance, improve mechanisms, optimize processes, and enhance the ability of cross – regional collaborative protection for the province’s ceramic and key industries.

Chinese Enterprises File Lawsuits in the US for Non – Infringement and Patent Invalidity

On December 30, 2025, several Chinese companies, including Shenzhen Juxinli Technology Co., Ltd., Huian County Mubing E – commerce Co., Ltd., and Xiamen Huangyudu Cosmetics Co., Ltd., sued Interlink Products International, Inc. in the Western District Court of Washington State, US. They aim to confirm non – infringement and patent invalidity of the involved patent “Showerhead having selector for directing water flow in independent directions” (US 12485435).

The plaintiffs sold showerhead products on Amazon. The defendant accused them of infringement through the APEX process. They claim their products’ water – flow control method doesn’t match the patent claims, so they don’t infringe. Also, prior – published patent documents show the defendant’s patent lacks non – obviousness and should be invalid. They ask the court to rule non – infringement, invalidate the patent, issue an injunction, and order the defendant to compensate losses and bear costs.

Sisvel Releases Wi-Fi Multi-Mode Patent Pool, Sets Licensing Fees, Sony Gets License

On January 22, 2026, Sisvel launched the “Wi-Fi Multi-Mode Patent Pool” and its WeChat official account went live. A complete licensing plan was published on its website, covering Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7 standards. The pool combines SEPs from ten global tech leaders, and Sony is an early licensee.

The licensing fees are clear: $0.50 per Wi-Fi 6 consumer device, $0.60 per Wi-Fi 7 consumer device, $1.00 for Wi-Fi 6 enterprise access points, and $1.20 for Wi-Fi 7 ones. There are “compliance rates” 20% lower than “standard rates” to encourage compliance.

Sisvel conducts third – party evaluations and makes patent mapping public. The plan introduces the “Licensing Incentive Framework for Technology” (LIFT) for eligible licensees. This launch sets a benchmark for the Wi-Fi 6/7 industry, reducing negotiation complexity and costs for manufacturers.

Monsanto’s Old Patent Triggers New Dispute: Bayer Demands Sky – high Compensation from mRNA Vaccine Giants

Bayer has sued Moderna, Pfizer, BioNTech, and Johnson & Johnson, alleging their COVID – 19 vaccines infringe a patent it acquired from Monsanto in 2016. The patent, originally for agricultural use, can enhance mRNA stability in vaccines. Lawsuits were filed in Delaware and New Jersey federal district courts. Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson haven’t responded publicly, while Moderna and BioNTech confirmed awareness. Monsanto applied for the patent in 1989 and got it in 2010. Bayer requests a jury trial and compensation for profits and future royalties. Pfizer and BioNTech’s Comirnaty vaccine has over $93 billion in sales. These companies are already involved in multiple mRNA patent disputes. With the new US Health and Human Services Secretary opposing vaccines and waning public trust, vaccine revenues may shrink, potentially affecting this case.

Heavyweight! Nokia Signs Another Patent Licensing Agreement with a Leading Chinese Automaker

On January 20, 2026, Nokia, a global communication technology leader, announced a new bilateral patent licensing agreement with a leading Chinese automaker. It’s a significant progress in the intelligent connected vehicle IP licensing field, showing deeper cooperation with the Chinese auto industry. The Chinese automaker will use Nokia’s 2G – 5G cellular and core Wi – Fi technologies in connected cars for functions like online navigation and in – car entertainment. Nokia’s Chief Licensing Officer for Wireless Technologies, Susanna Martikainen, said Nokia has signed agreements with five Chinese automakers, crediting the success to Chinese automakers’ growing respect for IP. She also reminded non – agreement automakers of their duty to obtain legal licenses. Nokia follows the FRAND principle and is ready to litigate for a fair competition.

InterDigital Reaches New Patent Licensing Agreement with LG Electronics

On January 20, 2026, in Wilmington, Delaware, InterDigital, an R & D firm in mobile, video, and AI tech, announced a new patent licensing deal with LG Electronics. This marks progress in their digital TV and display tech cooperation, setting an example for the global consumer electronics patent ecosystem.

Under the agreement, LG’s digital TVs and monitors will join the InterDigital – Sony joint licensing program. The license covers ATSC 3.0, Wi – Fi, and high – efficiency video coding, offering tech support for LG’s high – end displays.

InterDigital’s Chief Licensing Officer, Julia Mattis, said their tech drives device and service development. The deal with LG shows the value of InterDigital’s patents and its commitment to win – win cooperation.

As demand for high – end video and connectivity grows, standardization and patent licensing are key in global tech competition. This agreement strengthens InterDigital’s video licensing leadership and may expand its joint program’s influence in the high – end display market.

Case Interpretation: “Toy” Turned into “Doorbell”? Product Classification Can’t Evade Patent Infringement

A court has settled a design – patent dispute over a “bird – pecking” toy. The plaintiff, a toy design – patent holder, found the defendant selling a nearly identical – looking product on Taobao. The defendant claimed their product, marked as a “doorbell” on the page and with a different core function, was outside the scope of the plaintiff’s patent. The court examined evidence and analyzed key elements of design – patent infringement. It noted that “product category” definition should consider appearance, function, and consumer perception. The defendant’s product resembled the patented toy, and its link name and buyer reviews indicated it was used as a toy. The court ruled that the defendant’s sales infringed the plaintiff’s patent, ordering the defendant to stop and compensate. This case highlights new challenges in digital – economy IP protection and sets a good example for design – patent protection. Patent holders and market operators should enhance IP – protection and compliance awareness for an innovative market environment.

American Sedona Conference Releases Draft Jury Instruction Model for the Defend Trade Secrets Act

The Sedona Conference released the first comprehensive draft jury instruction model for the 2016 Defend Trade Secrets Act (DTSA) and invited public comments by January 17, 2026. The three – year – long drafting aimed to offer clear guidance on key issues in DTSA cases, as the US federal trade secret legal system is evolving and sometimes contradictory.

Since DTSA’s 2016 implementation, US federal courts have only recently established a substantial appellate case law system due to the COVID – 19 – related slowdown in trials. From 2017 to 2022, over 9,600 trade secret cases were filed in federal courts, but only about 300 had jury verdicts, showing the need for a model jury instruction.

The draft covers core DTSA concepts, pairing proposed instructions with legal bases and comments. Key issues include defining trade secrets, determining “reasonable measures” for secrecy, proving combined trade secrets and misappropriation, deciding if mere possession of trade secrets is misappropriation, and damages. These draft guidelines provide a framework for DTSA cases and may influence judicial practice before final adoption. Litigation lawyers should focus on comments regarding specificity, reasonable measures, and combined trade secrets.

Canadian Solar Successfully Challenges Some Maxeon Patent Claims in US, but Infringement Risks Remain

On January 12, 2026, the US Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) made final written decisions on the Inter Partes Review (IPR) initiated by Canadian Solar. Canadian Solar invalidated “all litigated claims” by Maxeon in federal court. However, while some claims of two patents were invalidated, one of Maxeon’s core patents remained fully valid, maintaining its patent stability and the commercial value of its TOPCon patent portfolio.

In March 2024, Maxeon sued Canadian Solar for patent infringement in Texas. Canadian Solar challenged via IPR, and the PTAB invalidated some claims but kept one patent valid. Maxeon is evaluating the decisions and may appeal.

Canadian Solar’s short – term legal risk in the US has decreased, but long – term compliance risk remains. Similar to the Hanwha case, the lawsuit can continue as long as valid claims exist. Canadian Solar is also involved in other patent disputes. The battle may extend to BC technology. As the industry shifts to BC technology, Canadian Solar must decide on licensing fees or further patent challenges. Chinese PV companies may need to transform from rule – challengers to ecosystem builders in complex compliance environments.

Japan’s Tokyo District Court Issues Guidelines for Standard Essential Patent Litigation: Clarifying Trial Matters and Parties’ Obligations with the Goal of Facilitating FRAND Licensing

On January 20, 2026, Japan’s Tokyo District Court’s Intellectual Property Division issued “Guidelines for the Trial of Patent Infringement Litigation Involving Standard Essential Patents (SEP)”, effective from January 2026. These guidelines clarify trial policy, procedural focus, and parties’ obligations in SEP – related litigation, aiming to offer an efficient and predictable judicial framework for global SEP disputes. The main points include promoting a global FRAND license fee agreement, setting a trial plan with a focus on abuse – of – rights defense, establishing a settlement procedure, and specifying the preparation requirements for both the plaintiff and the defendant.

XREAL Files Patent Lawsuit Against VITURE in the US as Global Rights Protection Battle Widens

After a ruling in Germany, the patent dispute between XREAL and VITURE has now reached the United States. In 2025, XREAL claimed VITURE’s VITURE Pro infringed its European patent and filed for a temporary injunction in the Munich Regional Court. In November 2025, the court found infringement and approved the injunction against Eden Future HK Limited, banning sales in Germany.

On January 16, 2026, XREAL filed a patent infringement lawsuit in the US against VITURE’s affiliated companies. It alleges that some VITURE products infringe XREAL’s US patent for an AR device and its optical system. The defendants are Eden Future HK Limited and Beijing Xingzhe Wujiang Technology Co., Ltd., and the lawsuit is filed by XREAL’s subsidiary.

The patent, applied for in 2018 and granted in 2024, covers key optical architectures for AR glasses. XREAL said the lawsuit aims to protect its innovation. As of now, VITURE has not publicly responded.

US Court Judge Orders Onesta to Immediately Withdraw German Patent Lawsuits, Escalating Jurisdiction Dispute between BMW and Onesta

On January 13, 2026, the Texas Federal Court granted BMW’s motion for an anti – suit injunction against non – practicing entity Onesta IP, banning it from proceeding with two infringement lawsuits in Germany. In October 2025, Onesta filed three patent infringement lawsuits against BMW in Munich. It claimed BMW’s car – infotainment chips infringed US patents, aiming for a high – value global settlement. In December 2025, BMW filed an action in the US Texas Federal District Court, accusing Onesta of “extraterritorial forum shopping”. Judge Albright ordered Onesta to withdraw the two US patent lawsuits in Munich. BMW’s law firm praised the ruling, while Onesta’s expert report was not adopted. Onesta will appeal to the CAFC, and if the decision is upheld, it could have far – reaching implications for cross – border patent litigation.

Warner Bros. Countersues Nokia for Antitrust Violations, RAND Licensing Breach, and Fraud

Warner Bros. countersues Nokia in the U.S. Federal District Court in Delaware, denying patent infringement and accusing Nokia of monopolizing video compression technology. Nokia claimed Warner Bros.’ HBO platform unauthorizedly used H.264 and H.265 compression patents. Warner Bros. argues the patents are invalid and asks the court to declare them so. The lawsuit involves 13 patents, part of Nokia’s global litigation against Warner Bros. The core dispute is whether encoding technology is standard – essential. Nokia says it isn’t, while Warner Bros. claims both encoding and decoding are, accusing Nokia of “cherry – picking”. The countersuit accuses Nokia of a “bait and switch” strategy, asks for triple damages, and raises fraud and breach – of – contract counterclaims. Historically, U.S. courts often reject antitrust lawsuits by technology implementers against patent holders. In 2025, Disney accused InterDigital of similar monopolization, and some courts made rulings in licensing disputes. As of now, neither Nokia nor Warner Bros. has commented.

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