Intellectual Property Newsletter by MeritsIP, October 21, 2025

Intellectual Property Newsletter by MeritsIP, October 21, 2025

October 21, 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.

Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Intellectual Property Protection Center Adds Patent Pre – examination Services for New Energy Industry

The Office of the China National Intellectual Property Administration approved the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Intellectual Property Protection Center to add patent pre – examination services for the new energy industry on top of existing services for biological and new materials industries. Since its operation in Oct 2022, the center has assisted 1,415 innovative entities in entering the fast – track patent examination, received 10,728 pre – examination requests and granted 5,722 patents for Inner Mongolia’s biological and new materials industries. This approval will offer more efficient IP services for “wind, solar, hydrogen, and energy storage” related industrial chains in Inner Mongolia, enhancing the “intellectual property”, “green”, and “gold” content of innovative entities. The center will implement new energy patent pre – examination services by strengthening the team, defining service scope, and starting filing and acceptance in the new energy industry.

Zhejiang Releases Group Standard for Overseas Talent Recruitment

Recently, Zhejiang issued the Group Standard for Intellectual Property Risk Management in Overseas Talent Recruitment by Enterprises. It focuses on the whole process of overseas talent recruitment, clarifying intellectual property risk management requirements in each link like recruitment, on – boarding, duty – performance, and departure. This helps enterprises standardize operations and avoid infringement disputes and legal lawsuits due to unclear intellectual property ownership. Standardization offers a “safe track” for overseas talent recruitment. Starting from the standard’s release, Zhejiang will promote its implementation, turn the “identification – assessment – response” prevention and control concept into enterprises’ practical ability in overseas talent recruitment, and support enterprises in using overseas talents well and strengthening intellectual property security through systematic management.

2025 National Awards Ceremony for Outstanding Achievements in the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) Held in Beijing

On October 16, 2025, the National Awards Ceremony for Outstanding Achievements in the CNIPA took place in Beijing. It recognized advanced collectives and individuals with various honors. Shen Changyu, Party Secretary and Director of the CNIPA, attended and spoke. During the 14th Five – Year Plan period, CNIPA’s staff, guided by Xi Jinping Thought, advanced the construction of an intellectual property power and many exemplary figures emerged. The meeting emphasized publicizing their deeds. As the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee nears, three key points were stressed: strengthening political construction under Party leadership, deepening intellectual property reforms, and promoting full and strict governance over the Party. Lu Pengqi read out the commendation decision, Zhang Zhicheng presided, and other officials were present. After the ceremony, there were presentations of exemplary Party members’ deeds and a choral performance.

Dongguan Approved to Build National-Level Intellectual Property Protection Center

Recently, the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) approved Dongguan, Guangdong, to build a national – level intellectual property protection center focusing on intelligent terminal and new materials industries. With this approval, the number of such centers in China reaches 81, with 7 in Guangdong.

Dongguan, a “double – ten – million city” with high innovation activity, will have a “one – stop” protection center after completion. It will aggregate resources, promote the integration of innovation and industrial chains, and contribute to new productive forces. The CNIPA will encourage Guangdong’s protection centers to collaborate to create a regional IP protection hub and support the high – quality economic development of the Guangdong – Hong Kong – Macao Greater Bay Area.

The Issuance of the “Guidelines for Intellectual Property Protection of Concept Verification Centers and Pilot – scale Platforms in Zhejiang Province (Trial)”

Recently, the Zhejiang Intellectual Property Office issued the “Guidelines for Intellectual Property Protection of Concept Verification Centers and Pilot – scale Platforms in Zhejiang Province (Trial)”. Comprising six parts, the Guidelines clarify that these centers and platforms should establish and improve intellectual property management systems. It includes contract management for intellectual property applications, transfers, and licenses in verification services, intellectual property management during project initiation and implementation, and the handling of disputes in verification service activities. This issuance further strengthens the protection of concept verification and pilot – scale service results, safeguards the rights of innovation entities, and promotes the integration of scientific and technological innovation and industrial innovation.

Beijing Explores “Government-Bank Cooperation” Model for Intellectual Property Pledge Financing

In recent years, the Beijing Intellectual Property Office and the Beijing Financial Regulatory Bureau, along with relevant departments, have carried out a “government – bank cooperation” service model with 23 banks. They’ve trained 76 specialists and launched 25 products. Bank of Beijing designed a financing plan for high – tech startups in new – generation information technology, using intellectual property pledge as a risk guarantee. A smart computing enterprise got a 20 – million – yuan loan and interest subsidy. From 2023 to 2025, a special fund was implemented, supporting over 1,100 enterprises with over 8 billion yuan in loans and reducing financing costs by 34.21%. Next, Beijing will implement an action plan to enrich financial products and services and turn “intellectual property” into “assets”.

Shanghai Putuo District Holds Symposium on Market – Oriented Operation of Key Trademarks

On October 14, the Putuo District Intellectual Property Office in Shanghai and the Putuo Sub – branch of Shanghai Rural Commercial Bank jointly held a symposium on the market – oriented operation of key trademarks, with over a dozen local key enterprise representatives participating. The office provided targeted guidance based on enterprises’ needs, sorted out trademark resources according to regional industrial features, and connected enterprises with financial institutions to explore trademark added – value. In the exchange, enterprise representatives shared experiences and difficulties in trademark – related work and discussed enhancing market recognition and transforming brand value. The symposium bridged enterprises and financial institutions and explored trademark asset securitization paths. The office will further optimize the intellectual property environment, improve the government – bank cooperation model, and enhance the quality and efficiency of intellectual property finance work.

Overseas Trademark Squatting: Can It Hold Water?

As Chinese enterprises go global, overseas trademark squatting has become more prevalent. Trademarks, symbolizing a company’s product quality and reputation, are often maliciously registered by brokers for profit. For instance, the “Laoganma” trademark was at risk in ten countries, and the Guiyang Intellectual Property Protection Center offered personalized guidance. The “Nv’erhong” and “Huijiashan” trademarks were also squatted overseas, with the latter being repurchased at a high cost. The “Tongrentang” trademark was recognized as a well – known trademark in China to safeguard its rights in Japan. The “Wangzhihe” case was regarded as China’s first trans – national intellectual property rights protection case, and Siemens’ attempt to squat the Hisense trademark failed.

Some foreign competitors squat Chinese trademarks to set up trade barriers. Low registration costs, short cycles, and lax review mechanisms in some countries make them prime locations for trademark squatting. The trademark dispute between JDB and Wanglaoji has flared up again due to overseas trademark usage. Varying national laws and trademark governance systems result in complex overseas trademark battles. Local dealers or agents may squat trademarks to monopolize the market, and the boundary between “historical use” and “malicious squatting” is unclear. This trademark fight is vital for their overseas market development as the domestic herbal tea market cools down.

Qinghai Xining Market Supervision and Administration Bureau Organizes “Three Entries” Campaign for Trademark and Geographical Indication Knowledge Popularization

Recently, market supervision and administration bureaus in Qinghai and Xining, along with the trademark brand guidance station, launched “Three Entries” activities to popularize trademark and geographical indication knowledge in industrial parks, communities, and markets. In industrial parks, experts gave lectures, staff offered one – on – one guidance, and an information desk was set up. In communities, information desks answered public questions and promotional videos were played. In markets, training sessions were held for managers and business owners, and propaganda boards were set up. This campaign bridged the gap in intellectual property services. The Xining bureau will deepen the results to promote knowledge and strengthen intellectual property protection for local economic development.

Bureau Leader Meets Chairman of Swiss Roche Group

Recently, Lu Pengqi, deputy director of the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA), met with Severin Schwan, chairman of the board of Swiss Roche Group, in Beijing. Lu noted that intellectual property protection, a key part of the business environment, has gained more attention from Chinese and foreign enterprises. The CNIPA treats the intellectual property of domestic and foreign enterprises equally and protects it legally, safeguarding foreign investors’ rights. In the future, the CNIPA will stay active and open, communicating well with right – holders and stakeholders worldwide. Schwan mentioned that intellectual property is the core competitiveness for innovative pharmaceutical firms. With China’s improving intellectual property protection system, more multinationals are confident in the Chinese market and deepening local strategies. Roche will keep increasing R & D investment in China and promoting the global application of Chinese medical innovation results.

Jiangxi Actively Promotes Overseas Intellectual Property Infringement Liability Insurance

Recently, Jiangxi’s Market Supervision Administration (Intellectual Property Office) coordinated with the insurance industry, guiding two Nanchang enterprises to sign overseas intellectual property infringement insurance contracts with PICC Property and Casualty’s Nanchang Branch. The insurance offers legal and economic compensation for enterprises in overseas intellectual property disputes, covering litigation, lawyer, and investigation fees. This is an effective outcome of Jiangxi’s efforts to strengthen overseas IP protection and help enterprises handle disputes and cut costs. Going forward, the administration will deepen the “government – enterprise – bank – insurance” model, launch more insurance products, and expand protection. It will also collaborate with legal and financial institutions to build a full – chain system to support enterprises’ overseas development.

EPO Holds First Bilateral Meeting with Medicines for Europe

On October 16, European Patent Office (EPO) Vice – President Steve Rowan led an EPO delegation in the first bilateral meeting with Medicines for Europe (MfE), an association representing the European generic and biosimilar medicines industry. The online meeting, based on earlier exchanges at MfE’s annual Legal Affairs Conference, started a more structured dialogue.

Steve Rowan said the exchange was a valuable opportunity to listen to users and explain the EPO’s approach. Discussions focused on the EPO’s quality and transparency approach. MfE representatives shared views on divisional applications, and the EPO outlined its balanced practice and safeguards. The EPO also highlighted progress under its Quality Action Plan 2025 and presented forthcoming healthcare – relevant studies.

Both sides welcomed the constructive discussion and agreed on future targeted exchanges. This meeting is part of the EPO’s strategic priority to strengthen dialogue with user communities.

Final discussions on the 2026 Guidelines

On October 14, 2025, the Working Party on Guidelines (WP/G) of the Standing Advisory Committee before the European Patent Office (SACEPO) held its second and final meeting this year on the draft EPC, PCT – EPO, and Unitary Patent (UP) Guidelines. After getting nearly 400 user comments, the EPO gave written responses and had focused discussions on major items. Key announcements involve publishing the 2026 Guidelines in PDF and improving text visibility in the Official Journal. For the UP Guidelines, users suggested additional info and structural improvements. For the EPC and PCT – EPO Guidelines, new chapters on entering the European phase were discussed, and the impact of decisions G 1/24 and G 2/21 was considered. There were different views on the patentability of antibodies and AI – related inventions. The Office will further clarify on antibodies and keep its view on AI – related inventions. The full consultation results will be out soon. The 2026 Guidelines will take effect on April 1, 2026, with a preview in February, and public feedback will be sought after publication.

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