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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Hubei Issues Implementation Plan for Intellectual Property Administrative Protection

Recently, the Hubei Intellectual Property Office issued the “Implementation Plan for the Province’s Intellectual Property Administrative Protection Work in 2026”. Aligned with the CNIPA’s deployment and considering Hubei’s situation, it focuses on twelve aspects, clarifying key tasks and implementation paths. It aims to improve the whole – chain intellectual property administrative protection system, respond to new challenges, enhance governance efficiency, and safeguard innovators’ rights. The office will implement the CNIPA’s deployment, guide local areas to clarify responsibilities, and ensure task implementation, aiming to improve protection quality and efficiency, optimize the environment, and contribute to Hubei’s development as a central strategic fulcrum.

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Fujian Releases Local Standard for Full – Chain Intellectual Property Public Services

Recently, Fujian released a local standard for full – chain intellectual property public services, effective August 11. It innovatively presents a “general platform – secondary platform – service stations” three – level coordinated service model. The standard standardizes platform construction, personnel, and resources, offering institutional guidelines for the standardization of local IP public services.

It focuses on innovation entities’ needs, clarifying full – chain public service content and providing a non – public service docking list for customized services. It unifies service processes, constructs a “demand – service – evaluation” closed – loop, and enables information connectivity among platforms.

A three – in – one evaluation system is established for dynamic management and quality optimization. This standard fills a local gap, standardizes service supply, boosts efficiency, optimizes the business environment, and supports Fujian’s goal of becoming an IP – strong province.

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2026 Canadian Intellectual Property Office’s Guidelines and Examples on Patentable Subject Matter

On March 25, 2026, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) issued a revised guide on patentable subject matter for computer – implemented inventions, medical diagnostic methods, and medical uses. The changes are based on recent court decisions. The new guide replaces relevant content in the Manual of Patent Office Practice and a practice notice. It outlines the “purposive construction” principle and emphasizes factors for determining an invention’s nature. It reaffirms the patentable subject – matter standard, stressing the physical requirement. For computer – implemented inventions, additional physical elements can meet the physicality requirement, and the “Schlumberger question” is used for distinction. Examples are provided for different types of inventions. Applicants should clearly disclose their inventions, include physical elements, and highlight computer – function improvements. The impact of previous frameworks on CIPO’s evaluation and the patentability of medical uses are yet to be determined.

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Australian IP Report 2026 reveals businesses with IP see stronger productivity and income growth

On May 6, 2026, IP Australia released the Australian IP Report 2026. In 2025, trademark and design applications in Australia reached record highs, and standard patent applications remained stable. The growth in domestic trademark and design applications shows active entrepreneurial and brand – competition activities, and the stable patent applications with domestic increase indicate continuous innovation by R & D enterprises.

The international application pattern is changing. Cross – border patent applications decreased, especially from the US, while overseas trademark applications hit a record high. China overtook the US as the largest overseas source of trademark applications in 2024 and 2025.

The report notes that patent policies shape the global technology competition landscape, and a compliant IP system helps enterprises integrate into the global market. Economically, patents bring higher wages and labor – structure upgrades to Australian startups. Enterprises with trademarks or patents outperform those without in income, productivity, etc. For design – intensive industries, registered design rights are associated with higher productivity, R & D expenditure, and export levels.

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Japan Patent Office Releases 2025 Industrial Property System Research Report

On May 18, 2026, the Japan Patent Office released a research report on the 2025 industrial property system. It analyzes multiple aspects and future strategies: 1. For medium – sized enterprises’ IP management, future strategies involve consolidating business, expanding new attempts, popularizing patent knowledge, and using AI. 2. In the cultivation of innovative talents, shift the operation mode, talent concept, and funding sources. 3. Regarding trademark system promotion, explain risks, rely on support entities and professionals. 4. For overseas university IP income and technology transfer, integrate it into the overall resource system. 5. In patent ownership in industry – academia – research cooperation, account for intellectual contribution fees and choose appropriate models. 6. To utilize external resources in university technology transfer, provide mentor support and match supply and demand. 7. When optimizing the environment for foreign patent applications, avoid hasty adjustment of the translation system and improve translation quality. 8. Integrate design management and traditional IP support work to value implicit intellectual assets.

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IP Australia Launches AI Chatbot

On May 3, 2026, IP Australia launched a free AI chatbot platform named “IP First Response” to help small businesses better understand and handle intellectual property – related issues. It provides clear and practical IP information to Australian enterprises, like how to exercise rights, deal with infringement accusations, and protect ideas after registration. Based on the platform’s digital content, the chatbot uses plain language to guide users to relevant information and resources. Developed from research on Australian businesses and advice from experts, it broadens information access and helps users prepare before consulting legal professionals. It’s meant to supplement, not replace, professional legal advice and collaborate with the IP ecosystem to help businesses stay competitive and gain continuous protection. Currently, it’s in the early promotion stage.

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UPC: Chinese Enterprises Have Become an Important Force in European Patent Litigation in 2025

The European Unified Patent Court (UPC) released its “2025 Annual Report”. In less than three years since its establishment, it has become a globally active patent litigation platform. Chinese and American enterprises are the main overseas participants. By December 31, 2025, the UPC’s first – instance court had accepted various types of patent – related cases. The increasing case numbers show growing trust in the UPC. The UPC is expanding its judge team, with the number of technically – qualified judges rising from 50 in 2023 to 80 by the end of 2025. In terms of case origin, Germany, the US, and China are the top three plaintiff countries, indicating Chinese enterprises’ growing activity in the European market. In 2025, the UPC replaced its case management system, which now supports more flexible operations. As more Chinese enterprises enter the UPC system, it is evolving into a new global core battlefield for patent litigation.

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A Case Study of Winning a Patent Infringement Lawsuit against AUTEL with a Targeted Multi – dimensional Defense Strategy

This article details AUTEL’s success in a patent infringement lawsuit. Orange Electronics sued AUTEL for infringing a US patent on tire pressure monitoring systems. AUTEL, a Chinese automotive diagnostic tool maker, faced the lawsuit in 2021 in the Eastern District of Texas. Its legal team used a multi – dimensional defense, including non – infringement, patent invalidity, and ineligibility claims. An inter – partes review application was rejected.

During the litigation, the court’s claim construction favored Orange Electronics. However, AUTEL kept defending. Orange Electronics withdrew the indirect infringement claim before the trial. The Texas jury initially ruled in favor of Orange Electronics, but the post – trial motions favored AUTEL as it had no US sales.

Orange Electronics appealed, and AUTEL cross – appealed. The Federal Circuit declared the involved claims of the patent invalid, giving AUTEL a major win. Orange Electronics’ rehearing requests were rejected. This case shows the strategic value of a targeted multi – dimensional defense in patent litigation.

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Nokia Withdraws Lawsuit Against Geely Before SEP Case Hearing: Anti-Anti-Suit Injunction Facilitates Settlement, Geely May Join Avanci Patent Pool

On May 21, 2026, Nokia withdrew its lawsuit against Geely for SEP infringement before the hearing in Germany. The court confirmed the withdrawal, suggesting a settlement on the cellular communication SEP dispute. In July 2025, Nokia sued Geely for using its 4G and 5G SEPs without authorization. Some Geely models had 4G/5G SEP licenses via the Avanci pool, but Geely and other brands didn’t. In April 2026, Geely applied for a temporary license, but Nokia got anti – anti – suit injunctions, forcing Geely to withdraw the application. Other SEP right – holders also sued Geely. Nokia may withdraw remaining UPC lawsuits. It’s likely Geely has joined the Avanci pool to resolve global license disputes.

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