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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National Intellectual Property System Talent Work Conference Held in Beijing

On May 19, the National Intellectual Property System Talent Work Conference took place in Beijing. It systematically summarized intellectual property talent work since the 14th Five – Year Plan and arranged key tasks for the 15th Five – Year Plan and 2026. Hu Wenhui, a Party Group member and Deputy Director of the CNIPA, attended and spoke. The conference affirmed achievements since the 14th Five – Year Plan, emphasizing implementing General Secretary Xi Jinping’s thoughts on talent work, aiming to build a world – class talent team, and creating a new situation for talent development in the 15th Five – Year Plan to contribute to building an intellectual property power. Heads of intellectual property administrations from several regions and deans of relevant colleges made exchange speeches. Around 80 representatives from CNIPA departments and some universities attended.

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Shenzhen Deploys and Promotes the Comprehensive Pilot Work of the Intellectual Property Finance Ecosystem

Recently, the Shenzhen Regulatory Bureau of the National Financial Regulatory Administration, the Shenzhen Intellectual Property Office, and the Shenzhen Local Financial Administration jointly issued the “Action Plan for Promoting the Comprehensive Pilot of the Intellectual Property Finance Ecosystem in Shenzhen (2026 – 2027)”. The plan aims to leverage the first – batch comprehensive pilot advantages, build a national intellectual – property – strong city and a protection high – ground, and make Shenzhen an intellectual property high – ground and a benchmark city. It focuses on improving relevant policy, market, and service systems, providing financial support for Shenzhen to build an industrial technology innovation center and assist in the construction of the Greater Bay Area International Technology Innovation Center. The plan outlines five key tasks, such as creating an integrated supply base for public services, a test ground for value assessment, a demonstration area for financial services, a transfer hub for trading and disposal, and an ecological integration area for collaboration.

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Guangxi Promotes the Construction of a Digital and Intelligent Collaborative Protection Mechanism for Intellectual Property

Recently, Guangxi’s establishment of a digital and intelligent collaborative protection mechanism for intellectual property was listed as a local case in “China’s Business Environment Development Report (2026)”. Relying on relevant databases, Guangxi has deepened AI application, launching tools like the “One – click Check for Intellectual Property Risks” mini – program. This mechanism has achieved remarkable results, reducing enterprises’ time cost for IP protection services by 70% and shortening the risk response plan – formulating period from 15 to 5 days. A Guangxi official said they will deepen mechanism construction, integrate high – quality resources, cooperate with overseas service stations, open multilingual dispute service channels, and provide full – chain and diversified solutions for enterprises’ high – quality development.

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WIPO Releases Research Report on Sports Technology Innovation

On April 29, 2026, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) released the “Sports Technology” research report. It analyzes sports innovation from an intellectual property perspective, aiming to show its scale, diversity, and strategic importance. From 2016 – 2025, the compound annual growth rate of sports – related patent applications was 7.6%, higher than the global average. Trademark registrations and design applications also had high growth rates. There are differences in intellectual property layout among sports, with golf and swimming being most active. Asia leads in sports IP activities globally, and Europe is prominent in trademark activities. The report presents typical tech applications, and about 26% of disabled sports – related patents come from academic institutions. Future emerging technologies and new competition forms are driven by innovation.

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International Trademark Association’s 2026 Annual Meeting: AI Shifts from Experiment to Infrastructure in IP Management

Speakers at the 148th INTA Annual Meeting in London said AI is changing from a peripheral tool to core infrastructure in IP management. It’s evolving from experimental document review to an AI – native platform for IP portfolio management. The IP market is structurally transforming due to customer needs and tech capabilities. AI is now seen as a necessity for normal operations. IP management software has entered the AI – native era, with tasks like deadline docketing automated. Law firms must adopt AI to meet corporate clients’ expectations, as it boosts efficiency and reduces risks. The success of AI deployment relies on people, and Pinsent Masons trains staff and avoids AI surcharges. Looking forward, AI capabilities will be specialized, and it’s quickly becoming the infrastructure for modern IP practice.

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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 major overseas participants. As of December 31, 2025, the UPC’s first – instance court has accepted numerous cases. The growth in case numbers shows increasing trust in the UPC. The UPC is expanding its judge team. The top three plaintiff countries are Germany, the US, and China, indicating Chinese enterprises’ growing activity in the European market. In 2025, the UPC replaced its old case – management system with a new one that offers more flexible functions. With more Chinese entities entering, the UPC is evolving into a global patent – litigation battlefield.

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Vietnam Introduces Mechanism for Handling Overlapping Intellectual Property Rights Conflicts

On April 1, 2026, Vietnam’s Law No. 131/2025/QH15 and Decree No. 100/2026/ND – CP took effect, introducing a mechanism to handle conflicts from overlapping IP rights on the same object. An object may have multiple IP protections, but simultaneous exercise can lead to conflicts.

Law No. 131/2025/QH15’s Article 7.4 states that when multiple IP rights on the same object conflict, the later – established right must stop being exercised if it conflicts with the earlier – established one, and the court determines the suspension.

Decree No. 100/2026/ND – CP’s Article 9g details implementation, defining conflict situations like reducing the earlier right’s economic value. Specific evidence is needed to prove the conflict. Handling principles include limiting suspension to the conflicting part, not invalidating the right, and applying suspension within the earlier right’s protection period.

These laws aim to maintain legal relationship stability, prioritize earlier rights, and introduce a flexible right – restriction mechanism, shifting from the traditional absolute exclusivity concept of IP rights and prompting right – holders to re – evaluate strategies.

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Thailand Launches Trademark Accelerated Channel for E-commerce Practitioners

Thailand’s Intellectual Property Department launched the “Fast Track 4 Month Plus+” on January 1, 2026. This accelerated review channel is for e – commerce practitioners needing urgent trademark registration on e – commerce platforms. It adds “e – commerce use” to existing fast – track systems.

Applicable subjects include individuals or enterprises doing e – commerce via online platforms, applicants for goods or service trademarks (excluding certain types). Admission conditions involve electronic submission through the DIP online system, single – category applications, matching goods/services descriptions, and providing an e – commerce urgency explanation and prior search results.

The review cycle is about 4 months, followed by a 2 – month objection period. If no objections, registration starts and the certificate is issued within 1 month after fee payment, taking about 6 – 7 months in total. Applications through the Madrid Protocol are not applicable, and third – party priority claims may lead to revocation. This channel offers an efficient way for e – commerce enterprises in Thailand, but has strict requirements and limited flexibility, reflecting the country’s digital economy promotion policy.

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Japan Patent Office Releases Report on Patent Application Trends in Cutting – edge Technology Fields

On April 23, 2026, the Japan Patent Office analyzed Japan’s technological advantages in four cutting – edge tech fields based on patent application info and compiled a report. In nuclear fusion power generation (2000 – 2023), the US led in international patent quantity share, with Japan third and having an edge in core component tech. For low – carbon fuel engines (2012 – 2023), Europe was first, Japan third, and Japan had an overseas patent layout advantage in ammonia – fuel tech. In lactic acid bacteria – containing foods (2013 – 2023), Europe led, and Japan was third, leading in sub – fields. Regarding cyber – attack detection technology (2017 – 2023), the US led, Japan was third, and had more patents in “vehicles” and “manufacturing” under “other specific industry fields”.

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Via LA Voice Codec Patent Pool VCP Welcomes New Entities and Unveils Rate Structure

Via Licensing Alliance’s Voice Codec Program (VCP) is flourishing. It has added a new unnamed licensee and two licensors, NovaVoice Limited and Cordial IP, on top of the initial five global licensors, expanding the patent portfolio. The addition of the new licensee shows industry recognition of Via’s one – stop licensing for voice tech patents, driven by 5G demand.

Via has also released the full VCP rate structure, which provides clarity and predictability, helping implementers make informed licensing decisions. License fees are available on Via’s website.

The participation of new licensors indicates patent holders’ approval of the one – stop licensing mechanism. As the licensor list and patent count grow, the VCP’s value for implementers will increase.

VCP covers EVS for over a billion devices and IVAS for next – gen apps. Via’s President Kevin Mack said the program offers high – value solutions. EVS remains fundamental in 5G, and IVAS will become more important. For details, visit https://www.via – la.com.

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