Intellectual Property Newsletter by MeritsIP, July 15, 2025
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: 15 Innovation Achievements of Xiamen Enterprises Win Xiamen Patent Awards
The 10th Xiamen Patent Awards winners’ list is out, with 15 patents honored, including 1 special – class, 3 first – class, 8 second – class, 1 design gold, and 2 design silver awards. Since 2012, the awards are held biennially to reward contributions to Xiamen’s economic and social development and encourage IP improvement. The winning patents span various industries like smart grids and biomedical engineering.
Kehua Data Co., Ltd.’s “Battery device, power supply system and related control method” won the special – class award, making innovative breakthroughs in lithium – battery design and solving industry problems. Among the 3 first – class award – winners are Xiamen Honglu Tungsten & Molybdenum Industry Co., Ltd., Xiamen Wangsu Co., Ltd., and Xiamen Bosheng Biotechnology Co., Ltd.
Source: https://ipr.mofcom.gov.cn/article/gnxw/zl/202507/1992395.html
On July 9, 2025, the “Guidebook for Submission of Industrial Design Views by the Five Offices of China, the United States, the European Union, Japan, and South Korea” was released. Since 2015, the five offices have cooperated in industrial design to enhance mutual understanding, raise public awareness of protection, and offer better services. This guidebook, a result of a project jointly led by CNIPA and the EU Intellectual Property Office, presents submission requirements of the five offices through text – graphics combination, offering reference for innovation entities. Visit https://id – five.org for more project results. Attachments include the English original and reference translation of the guidebook.
Source: https://www.cnipa.gov.cn/art/2025/7/9/art_53_200546.html
China’s Protection of Intellectual Property Rights Network
On July 8, the Market Supervision Administration of Dangyang City, Hubei Province, held its first on – site trademark training event in Yuxin Town, attracting over 40 participants and getting a warm response.
Dangyang’s characteristic industries have developed rapidly, but operators face problems like weak trademark awareness. To solve these, the administration set up a three – level service system. Market supervision offices collected demands, and the intellectual property department compiled a guide and made training programs.
During the training, staff focused on four key areas, using real – life examples. The first training’s success laid a foundation for the “Trademark Training in Towns” program. The administration plans to finish training in all 10 towns in July and will establish “trademark service contact points” for one – on – one services, aiming to integrate trademark strategy with rural revitalization and promote county – level economic development.
Source: https://ipr.mofcom.gov.cn/article/gnxw/sb/202507/1992391.html
Director Daren Tang Announces the Opening of WIPO’s Member State Assembly, Welcomes Record Number of Delegates
On Tuesday, WIPO Director General Daren Tang opened the WIPO Member State Assembly, welcoming a record number of delegates. He called for collective action to develop the global IP ecosystem and support innovators.
During the 66th series of meetings, Tang addressed about 1,600 delegates. He reported WIPO’s good financial situation and presented the 2026 – 2027 work plan. He welcomed Micronesia as the 194th member and urged cooperation for IP – driven development.
In 2025, delegates will review WIPO’s performance, adjust treaties and registration bodies, and consider the work plan and budget. Global innovation is vibrant, with over 40 IP applications per minute. WIPO’s application services earned nearly 500 million Swiss francs in 2024.
Tang reviewed WIPO’s work in four key areas, supporting under – represented groups. International applications through WIPO’s systems are growing again, and it reached 5 million PCT applications. He said the global IP community is on a journey to make IP accessible to all.
Source: https://www.wipo.int//pressroom/zh/articles/2025/article_0006.html
SACEPO Annual Meeting Discusses Key Topics
On July 1, the Standing Advisory Committee before the European Patent Office (SACEPO) held an online annual meeting with 40 international experts. Key topics included quality, digital transformation, AI, legal changes, and the Unitary Patent.
Members welcomed quality progress and supported the 2025 Quality Action Plan. The EPO has reduced paper use and aims for carbon neutrality by 2030, with full digitalization targeted for 2027, while ensuring SME inclusivity. Participants supported digitalization efforts but had concerns about legal practitioner listing. The two – year review of the Unitary Patent showed a 28% conversion rate of granted European patents, available in 18 EU states. The EPO Observatory reported progress, and IP Lab activities were overviewed. The meeting concluded with a commitment to continued dialogue.
USPTO modernization efforts successfully expedite patent issuance
Effective May 13, 2025, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) will accelerate patent issuance. The average time from Issue Notification to Issue Date will be reduced from about three weeks to around two weeks, allowing patent holders to enter the market earlier. Through publishing electronic grants on the Patent Center and eliminating process redundancies, the time between grant notification and issuance has been shortened. This may also help applicants avoid filing a Quick Path Information Disclosure Statement and offer earlier protection for inventions. According to MPEP 211.01(b), subsection I, continuing applications should be filed before paying the issue fee for copendency. For non – e – Office Action program participants, issuance may occur before receiving the Issue Notification.
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