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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Shen Changyu Leads Delegation to Attend WIPO Meetings

On July 7, the 68th series of meetings of the WIPO Member States Assembly were held in Geneva. Shen Changyu, Director of the CNIPA, led the Chinese delegation to attend and gave a general statement. On July 8, the delegation talked with WIPO Director – General Daren Tang. Ambassador Jia Guide and WIPO Deputy Director – General Wang Binying participated.

In his statement, Shen introduced China’s IP development, stating that the Chinese government values IP work, promotes the construction of an IP – strong country, and has completed the 14th Five – Year Plan goals and implemented the 15th. He appreciated WIPO’s achievements, congratulated Daren Tang on re – election, and supported WIPO to play a greater role in the global IP ecosystem.

The Chinese delegation included representatives from multiple departments, and some organizations attended as observers.

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China National Intellectual Property Administration and Austrian Patent Office Sign Updated MOU on IP Cooperation

Recently, the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) and the Austrian Patent Office signed an updated Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on cooperation in Geneva. CNIPA Director Shen Changyu and Austrian Patent Office Director Stefan Harasek signed the document on behalf of their respective offices. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the bilateral partnership. The signing is an important symbol of deep – ened cooperation after the July 2025 Vienna meeting. The MOU focuses on deepening practical cooperation in IP knowledge exchange and the Patent Prosecution Highway, aiming to enhance mutual understanding of IP systems and protect innovation achievements of Chinese and Austrian enterprises.

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Hunan Protects Industrial Development and Enterprises’ Overseas Expansion through the Integration of Standards and Intellectual Property

The Hunan Provincial Market Supervision and Administration Bureau held a meeting on the integrated development of standards and intellectual property and overseas intellectual property protection. The aim was to empower industrial development and protect overseas intellectual property via integration, building a full – chain protection barrier for Hunan’s industries going global. It decided to integrate service resources in market supervision, standards, and intellectual property. A new pattern of overseas intellectual property protection will be established, supported by high – value patents and well – known trademark brands and guided by international standards.

The meeting emphasized focusing on key areas. It’s necessary to enhance the integration of standards and intellectual property for scientific and industrial innovation. This includes focusing on international industrial competition by strengthening research on standard – essential patents in various industries and promoting coordinated use of related measures. Also, focus on the linkage of technology, patents, and standards, co – deploying innovation, patent exploration, and standard pre – research, and supporting enterprises to transform core patents into international standards.

The provincial bureau will strengthen organizational leadership, overall coordination, and establish a regular collaborative working mechanism to optimize the collaborative ecosystem, injecting new impetus into enterprises’ competitiveness, industrial development, and Hunan’s reform and opening – up.

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Standard Essential Patents: New EPO Observatory Study Offers Clearer Guidance on Determining FRAND License Fees

The European Patent Office (EPO)’s Standards and Patents project offers insights into how the global interaction among technical standards, digital connectivity, and interoperability affects the market penetration of innovative technologies. A new EPO Observatory report aims to clarify rules for determining Fair, Reasonable, and Non – Discriminatory (FRAND) license fees for Standard Essential Patents (SEP), which is strategically important for patented technology implementation in standards.

The study has compiled the most comprehensive global judicial decision database on SEP licensing. Its conclusions can guide license negotiations and assist in dispute handling. The EPO will present the findings at an Euractiv event.

The research analyzed 65 major judicial decisions from 2013 – 2025 in seven jurisdictions. It shows that courts aim to balance the interests of patent holders and the public. The comparable license analysis method is the mainstream for calculating FRAND fees but faces challenges.

Technical standards are crucial for the digital economy, and FRAND clauses are necessary for cost control. This new study follows a May 2025 report, and the 2025 “Patent Standards Search Tool” will be upgraded in 2026.

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UK’s New Bill Aims to Solve Copyright Issues in AI Field

The UK’s Automated Online Software (Access and Transparency) Bill, proposed by Conservative opposition MP Damian Hinds, aims to let online publishers understand web robots’ content – scraping activities. The UK News Media Association supports it. If implemented, robot operators must declare identities and purposes when accessing and copying UK website content. Web robots’ increasing traffic reduces publishers’ website visits.

MP Hinds said robot scraping threatens the news industry. The bill only requires basic transparency, not strict AI model regulation. UK MPs are trying to incorporate AI – related copyright protection into law due to concerns about AI developers using online content for training.

Last year, a House of Lords amendment on AI copyright transparency was rejected. The government released an AI and copyright report in March but won’t immediately revise regulations. Lawyers think clarifying unauthorized scraping scope helps analysis and evidence collection. The bill’s effectiveness depends on law – enforcement, and its second – reading hearing is on October 16.

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WIPO China: Beijing Explores Urban Path for Green Technology Deployment

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) released a report on the four – year practice of China’s first WIPO GREEN urban acceleration project pilot in Beijing. Launched in 2021 by the Zhongguancun Clean Air Alliance (BCAA) and WIPO GREEN with relevant support, the Beijing pilot pioneered an urban – level acceleration model integrating technology transfer and IP elements, aiming to promote green technology application. It identified three priority areas in Beijing’s green development: CO₂ emission reduction, air quality improvement, and municipal solid waste treatment. From 2021 to mid – 2025, it conducted demand assessments and matching activities, resulting in 12 formal matches and 3 successful implementations. The “Chuanglan Carbon Neutrality Pioneer Award” evaluated technology credibility, with over 400 green technologies applying from 2022 to 2025. The IPMC provided IP training to 50 companies from 2024 to 2026. The pilot shows that integrating IP into urban green innovation offers a replicable model for other cities.

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European Patent Office Launches ‘Data Platform’ for European Innovators and Policymakers

The European Patent Office (EPO) has launched a new “Data Desk” integrating global tech trends, patent application dynamics, and deep – tech progress. Developed by the EPO Observatory, it offers free access for users to explore and analyze trends precisely.

The platform was launched at VivaTech in Paris. This is the third consecutive year of EPO’s cooperation with INPI France at the event. The exhibition had related activities like a keynote by EPO Director António Campinos.

The launch coincides with the European Commission’s “European Technological Sovereignty Package” release. Campinos noted European tech autonomy pressure and the role of patent intelligence.

The platform has exclusive maps for key tech areas, integrates previous EPO data, and has a user – friendly interface. A new data dashboard compares deep – tech startups with and without patent applications, showing the benefits of patenting.

During VivaTech, Campinos exchanged with key innovation stakeholders and discussed innovation – related topics.

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2026 WIPO Global Awards Winners: 11 Enterprises Honored for Leveraging Intellectual Property

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) announced 11 winners of the 2026 WIPO Global Awards. These enterprises were recognized for using intellectual property to bring products like lung – tissue regenerating drugs, low – energy – loss semiconductors, AI – guided crop sprayers, and athlete brain – health helmet sensors to the market.

The awards target outstanding SMEs and startups, which make up over 90% of global enterprises and provide about 50% of jobs. An international jury selected the winners from 1,300 applications across 126 countries, assessing business cases, IP strategies, internal IP culture, and social contributions.

The winners span healthcare, agriculture, and drone technology. WIPO Director – General Daren Tang presented the awards at the WIPO Member States Assembly in Geneva.

The winners will get six – month one – to – one coaching on IP, market, and financing, and join an award – winning enterprise community. There are special recognitions, and the awards are supported by International Trade Centre initiatives.

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