Intellectual Property Newsletter by MeritsIP, July 30, 2025

Intellectual Property Newsletter by MeritsIP, July 30, 2025

July 30, 2025 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.

Graphic and Text Live: Regular Press Conference of the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) in July 2025

On July 28, 2025, the CNIPA held its July regular press conference, introducing Zhejiang’s efforts in building an intellectual property – strong province, promoting high – quality development, and constructing a common prosperity demonstration area. Host Heng Fuguang said it’s a typical case for national IP – power building and a representative local response in IP cause development.

The CNIPA has supported Zhejiang through multiple measures: jointly issuing work points and custom – designing key projects; promoting reform pilots; strengthening emerging – industry services; optimizing the business environment; and promoting opening – up. Representatives from Zhejiang were invited to introduce the “Zhejiang practice” in IP – power building.

Source: https://www.cnipa.gov.cn/col/col3550/index.html

Zhejiang Huzhou Cracks a Case of Producing and Selling Infringing Wooden Floors

Recently, the Nanxun District Market Supervision and Administration Bureau in Huzhou, Zhejiang, cracked a case of producing and selling counterfeit sports wooden floors with the involved goods worth nearly one million yuan. In August 2024, the bureau received a report on a local wood company suspected of trademark infringement. A special team was set up and divided into two groups. One group found a steel seal with traces of the registered trademark in a Nanxun workshop, and the other found over 2,500 square meters of installed floors and some uninstalled wooden strips with the registered trademark in Anqing.

The investigated enterprise knew the trademark’s registered status but applied for a similar one via an intermediary, using the acceptance notice to deceive purchasers. The bureau determined it as trademark infringement and fined the enterprise. After the case, law – enforcement officers followed up, provided guidance, and helped the enterprise correct problems and repair credit. The bureau also set up sentinels and whistle – blowers in local businesses. It will continue to support the local wood industry’s high – quality development through services, supervision, and law – enforcement.

Source: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/rsHSXWs0FwXmnGxWFbJ_1A

Lenovo and Quectel Join Avanci, Bringing New Insights to the Connected Vehicle Industry Upgrade

Recently, Lenovo and Quectel joined the Avanci Vehicle Platform’s 4G/5G and 5G projects as licensors, sharing inventions with global automakers. Following the participation of China’s three major operators and many other Chinese companies, more industry leaders are joining Avanci, spurring discussions on value return, fair competition, and the joint – licensing model.

With the expansion of 5G infrastructure and user base, 5G applications are booming in the automotive sector. China’s intelligent vehicle market is expected to reach nearly one trillion yuan by 2025 and over five trillion by 2030.

Avanci acts as a “bridge” for patent licensing. This year, it has witnessed strong cooperation, with many automakers becoming licensees. Chinese automakers exploring overseas markets face challenges in the complex global patent environment. Patent lawsuits this year have sparked discussions on fair competition, and the impact on overseas expansion and efficient licensing remains to be seen.

Source: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/-PgIpL7i_98O8PfWCvpjMw

How to Judge the Inventiveness of Traditional Chinese Medicine Compositions? The “Emphysema Medicine Pillow Case” Provides a Textbook Answer

In April 2024, the Supreme People’s Court’s judgment in the “Traditional Chinese Medicine Pillow Core for Emphysema Case” was a turning – point for the rejection of Chinese medicine invention patents for “lack of inventiveness”. It was selected into the “Summary of the Referees’ Key Points of the Supreme People’s Court’s Intellectual Property Tribunal (2024)”, setting a benchmark. The Supreme Court stressed that the inventiveness judgment of TCM compositions should combine TCM theory, compatibility rules, and treatment pathogenesis, not just mechanically use the “three – step method”. In a specific case, the CNIPA and the first – instance court deemed a TCM pillow core combination lacking in inventiveness, but the Supreme Court overruled. Judgment highlights include regarding TCM compositions as an organic whole, considering new syndrome – type combinations, and recognizing substantial differences in technical effects. The applicant only needs to provide real and standardized curative – effect data. Applicants are advised to clarify TCM theory support, specify applicable syndrome types, and supplement effectiveness evidence.

Source: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/MOIfjhYcs5H5JpKEoeSCng

2525 Abnormal Patent Applications by Agency Lead to Warning and Fine

Recently, the Guangdong Provincial Administration for Market Regulation issued an administrative penalty. A Maoming firm proxied abnormal patent applications from July 2022 to December 2023. The CNIPA identified 2,525 of them as abnormal, involving multiple provinces and disrupting the patent work order. In March 2025, the CNIPA transferred clues to the provincial administration, which launched an investigation in May. The firm’s actions violated relevant regulations. Considering the large number of abnormal applications, wide – ranging impact, and long – lasting disruption, the firm was ordered to correct the behavior immediately, given a warning, and fined 80,000 yuan. The firm can apply for reconsideration or lawsuit, but the penalty won’t be suspended.

Source: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/-fUh6OgprC7wd717clBYsQ

From Rate Design to Global Expansion: Progress of VDP Patent Pool and New Paths for Streaming Patent Licensing

IPR Daily interviewed Dylan Zhou, Senior Vice President of Licensing at Access Advance (AA), about the VDP patent pool launched on January 16, 2025, aiming to offer a unified framework for codec patent licensing in the streaming industry. By July 1, it had its first licensors and licensees, including big names like Dolby, MediaTek, and Chinese firms such as Tencent, Kuaishou, and ByteDance.

The growth of the video – streaming industry has caused disputes over licensing fees. The VDP patent pool addresses this by charging licensees based on their business scale, regardless of the codec, to encourage tech upgrades. It also divides the world into two regions for fee calculation, considering regional differences.

A rate adjustment mechanism based on licensors’ scores was introduced to break the early deadlock, and it has attracted many participants, with the adjustment coefficient expected to reach 100% by year – end.

AA plans to involve more licensors and licensees, including hardware suppliers and regional platforms. The participation of Chinese companies shows their shift from followers to leaders. AA’s long – term goal is to make the VDP patent pool the core solution for streaming codec patent licensing and promote a healthy industry ecosystem.

Source: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/ut08JejQfhxBnoodWxU0lg

Singapore Intellectual Property Week 2025 – From Ideas to Assets: Innovating in Times of Change

The 2025 Singapore Intellectual Property Week and the 14th Global Intellectual Property Forum will take place at the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre in Singapore from August 26th – 27th, 2025. Amid technological revolutions, geopolitical tensions, and economic uncertainties, the event focuses on adjusting intellectual property organizations and policies to foster innovation and invigorate the market. Leaders of top intellectual property organizations will explore how policies can stay resilient and help creators and innovative enterprises seize opportunities in a changing world. It’s expected to draw over 5,000 innovators and IP professionals from over 40 countries and regions globally to discuss tech – innovation and IP hot topics. Chinese innovation enterprise representatives and IP professionals are invited.

Source: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/O1kLaENd8_ujS8Gm_JU7rg

WTO Appeal Arbitration Tribunal Issues Final Ruling on EU-China Intellectual Property Dispute

On July 21, the WTO circulated the arbitration award on the EU-China intellectual property dispute (DS611). The arbitrators recommended China to align measures inconsistent with the TRIPS Agreement. The EU challenged the panel’s findings on several TRIPS articles. The arbitrators found the panel erred in interpreting Article 1.1 and that the ASI policy is inconsistent with Articles 28.1, 28.2 and 1.1. They upheld the panel’s finding that the EU failed to prove the ASI policy’s inconsistency with Article 44.1 and that Article 41.1 doesn’t apply to the ASI policy. China challenged the panel’s application of the legal standard for an unwritten measure and its finding on the Xiaomi v. InterDigital case, and the arbitrators upheld the panel’s findings on both. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce welcomed the part affirming China’s anti – injunction, but was dissatisfied with the improper expansion of Members’ obligations. China will assess the ruling according to WTO rules.

Source: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/Mau7T-SWFkC-3Uk0ftxK9w

Morning News Summary

This newsletter presents a series of intellectual property – related news. From January 1, 2026, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office will increase application and maintenance fees for trademarks, patents, and industrial designs by 2.7%, impacting those targeting the Canadian market. Global Cell Bank Group has acquired the anti – tumor new drug patent of Professor Yang Xiaoping. The Supreme People’s Court’s Intellectual Property Tribunal will hold a public hearing on an invention patent invalidation administrative dispute on July 30, 2025. Tinghua Island accused ReelShort of short – drama plagiarism and is taking steps to safeguard rights. Beijing released an IP financial ecosystem plan, and Sichuan launched a 100 – day geographical indication protection campaign. Hedy Microelectronics will use legal means to protect shareholder rights due to suspected trade – secret theft by subsidiary directors.

Source: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/m_gd9M7ryBajvhkqP2czKg

Director Daren Tang Announces the Opening of WIPO’s Member States Assembly, Welcomes Record Number of Delegates

On Tuesday, WIPO Director General Daren Tang welcomed a record number of delegates to the WIPO Member States Assembly. He called for collective action for the global IP ecosystem’s development and to support innovators and creators. At the 66th – series meeting’s opening, he addressed about 1,600 delegates, reported on WIPO’s good financial situation, and presented the 2026 – 2027 work plan. He welcomed Micronesia as the 194th member. From July 8 – 17, 2025, delegates will review WIPO’s performance, adjust treaties and registration bodies, and consider the work plan and budget. Despite challenges, global innovation is vibrant, with over 40 IP applications per minute. WIPO’s application services earned nearly 500 million Swiss francs in 2024. He also reviewed WIPO’s efforts in four areas, stating its programs benefited many youth, women, and SMEs, and international applications have resumed growth.

Source: https://www.wipo.int//pressroom/zh/articles/2025/article_0006.html

USPTO Announces Accelerated Patent Grant Programs with Three Nations

This week in Geneva, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) signed agreements with Belize, Guatemala, and the United Arab Emirates. These countries will accelerate patent grants to applicants with a U.S. patent who file corresponding applications in their countries. Acting Under Secretary Coke Morgan Stewart said these programs are vital for the USPTO’s international strategy, contributing to President Trump’s agenda and deepening cooperation with trading partners. The agreements help U.S. innovators obtain patents faster in partner countries, promote cooperation between patent offices, and create overseas investment and business – expansion opportunities. Partner offices will expedite patent – right grants based on the USPTO’s decision for corresponding applications.

Source: https://www.uspto.gov/about-us/news-updates/uspto-announces-accelerated-patent-grant-programs-belize-guatemala-and-united

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