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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Overseas Intellectual Property Dispute Response Guidance Council’s 2026 Annual Meeting Held in Beijing

Recently, the 2026 annual meeting of the National Overseas Intellectual Property Dispute Response Guidance Council took place in Beijing. Zhang Zhicheng, deputy director of the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA), attended and spoke. Representatives from the CNIPA’s Intellectual Property Protection Department, the Commercial Legal Services Center of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, and other council member units participated. The meeting summarized 2025 work, affirmed past achievements, and approved the list of new and renewed members of the expert database. It emphasized that council member units should enhance work awareness, fulfill responsibilities, utilize the council mechanism, form a joint force, address enterprises’ overseas rights – protection pain points, achieve organic connection and complementary advantages, and elevate the overseas intellectual property dispute response guidance work.

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Jiangxi Issues Administrative Guidance on Intellectual Property Protection for “6·18” Online Promotion

The Jiangxi Intellectual Property Office held an administrative guidance symposium on e – commerce compliant operation during the 2026 “6·18” online promotion to regulate operations and create a fair online trading environment. Four administrative guidance opinions were put forward for e – commerce platforms’ illegal trademark use during the promotion: improve the working mechanism and fulfill review responsibilities; standardize language use to avoid confusion; smooth the complaint channel and handle illegal clues timely; conduct self – inspection and rectification, and strengthen compliance guidance. The office will use this guidance to strengthen full – chain intellectual property protection and create a joint – effort pattern.

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Japan and the US Advance Advanced AI Cooperation in the Technology Field

On June 4, 2026, Japan’s relevant ministries and the US Department of Energy announced a Japan – US strategic partnership. They aim to promote cooperation between Japan’s “AI for science” program and the US “Genesis Project”, transforming R & D models via advanced AI and expanding cooperation in cutting – edge tech fields like quantum info, nuclear fusion, etc.

In the next five years, both countries plan to invest $500 million each for strategic investment, promote large – scale international joint R & D in multiple fields including AI, and strengthen computing power resource environment construction. Researchers from both sides can use each other’s computing power resources under the same domestic conditions.

Japan’s Ministry of Education said the participation of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry will deepen Japan – US cooperation. Japan hopes to establish its status in “AI for science” through this strategic cooperation and contribute to scientific and technological innovation.

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WIPO Releases 2026 Hague System Annual Review

In May 2026, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) released the “Hague Yearly Review 2026”, analyzing applicants’ behavior in the Hague System from 2016 – 2025. In 2025, WIPO received 10,344 international design applications via the system, a 9.4% increase from the previous year, with the number of designs hitting a record – high of 28,588 (a 5.2% rise), mainly due to more applications from China and the US.

Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan joined the system in 2025, making the number of member states 82. Over 3,700 applicants from at least 73 countries submitted international applications that year. European applicants made up over half (53.9%) of global design applications in 2025, while Asian applications rose from 12.6% in 2015 to 30.8% in 2025, and North American applications increased from 6.7% to 14.7%.

China led with 5,911 design applications in 2025, followed by Germany, the US, Switzerland and Italy. Huawei became the largest applicant, overtaking Procter & Gamble. The EU was the most – designated member in 2025. Design applications related to recording and communication devices accounted for 13.2% of the total. About 39.1% of global non – resident design applications were submitted via the Hague System in 2025.

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Turkey Seeks Public Comments on Draft Commercial Secret Protection Law

Recently, Turkey’s Ministry of Trade has sought public comments on the Draft Commercial Secret Protection Law. Based on the EU’s Directive 2016/943 on Trade Secrets and the TRIPS Agreement, the draft aims to define trade – secrets, protect them from illegal acts, and set non – infringement scenarios and penalties.

Currently, trade – secret protection rules in Turkey are scattered. The draft integrates these rules and aligns with EU standards, driven by Turkey’s goal of deeper digital integration with the EU and enhancing customs union benefits.

It clearly differentiates legal and illegal acquisition of trade – secrets, and introduces temporary injunction mechanisms, confidentiality rules, and provisions on compensation and punitive damages. There are also notable provisions in various articles. Overall, it’s an important step for Turkey to establish a comprehensive trade – secret protection legal framework in line with EU standards.

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Canada Intellectual Property Office Updates Examination Guidelines for Patentable Subject Matter

The Canada Intellectual Property Office recently issued a practice notice revising its examination approach for patentable subject matter. Certain content in the Patent Office Practice Manual, like “contribution” of claims and “technical solutions to technical problems”, is no longer applicable. Removing the “problem – solution” phrase is positive as the court found the office misinterpreted claims using this approach.

The office also updated guidelines for computer – implemented inventions, medical diagnostic methods, medical uses, and games. The rule that game play is non – patentable has been abolished. For medical diagnostic methods, claims with physical steps may be patentable. For “medical uses”, it depends on whether professional skills are required. Fixed – dose regimens may lead to patentable claims. The Supreme Court of Canada is reviewing the patentability of medical treatment methods, which may change the legal situation.

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Switzerland Passes Comprehensive Modernization Reform of the Patent Law and Introduces Substantive Examination

Switzerland has conducted a comprehensive modernization reform of its Patent Law to strengthen the domestic patent system and align with international standards. The new law will take effect in 2027. Main revisions include mandatory prior – art search, optional full – scale substantive examination, acceptance of English technical documents, and a new appeal system. After public consultation, the comprehensively revised Patent Regulations draft was approved. The full – scale substantive examination is a significant change, with all future patent applications undergoing prior – art search. The reform aims to improve patent transparency and quality, and objectors can challenge granted applications. English technical documents can be submitted to reduce costs, but system costs have increased. Most pending applications will apply the new law. The introduction of a utility model system was not adopted. The reform is finalized and will be implemented in early 2027.

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Xiaomi Achieves Three Consecutive Wins Against NPE! German Federal Patent Court Declares Another Nera Patent Invalid

On June 9, 2026, the German Federal Patent Court declared Patent No. EP2947606 invalid during an invalidity hearing. All auxiliary requests from patentee Nera Innovations were not supported. As the patent’s protection period has expired, Nera can’t seek injunctive relief. Nera can appeal, but can only claim past – infringement damages even if successful. All three of Nera’s patent – infringement lawsuits against Xiaomi have been lost at the first – instance stage.

Nera, an NPE supported by private equity, acquired the three sued patents from LG Electronics and Giesecke & Devrient. Before this hearing, the other two patents had already failed. Xiaomi, a “license – oriented” enterprise, prefers commercial license negotiations but will take legal action for unreasonable claims. This three – win streak against Nera shows its strategy.

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