1. China’s Digital China Summit Debuts IP Sub-Forum with Focus on Data IP
On April 29, the 8th Digital China Summit held its first-ever Intellectual Property (IP) sub-forum in Fuzhou, Fujian. CNIPA Deputy Commissioner Lu Pengqi and Fujian Vice Governor Li Xinghu attended and delivered speeches. Centered on the theme "The Future is Here: Intellectual Property for the Digital Era," the forum released the second batch of ten exemplary data IP registration cases. Experts from government, judiciary, academia, and industry engaged in in-depth discussions on the role of the IP system in the development of Digital China. A pilot meeting on data IP was also held during the forum, attended by over 200 participants from CNIPA, local IP offices, academic institutions, and enterprises.
Source: 国家知识产权局 局要闻 第八届数字中国建设峰会数字中国与知识产权分论坛成功举办
2. EPO Reviews Feedback on 2025 Guidelines and Launches 2026 Revision Cycle
On May 8, 2025, the EPO’s Standing Advisory Committee on Patent Law Guidelines Working Party (SACEPO WP/G) held its first meeting of the year, focusing on user feedback for the 2025 Guidelines (EPC Guidelines, PCT-EPO Guidelines, and Unitary Patent Guidelines), which received 303 comments. EPO shared preliminary views to guide discussion and introduced the 2026 revision roadmap. Upcoming updates will reorganize sections of the EPC Guidelines, include Unified Patent Court case references, and incorporate legal adaptations for digital transformation such as e-priority documents and AI-assisted records. New content will also cover oral proceedings and fee deadlines. Hot topics such as antibody patents and AI-related disclosures were also addressed. Drafts will be circulated before summer, and full feedback results will be published in fall 2025.
3. EUIPO Launches “IP Next-GEN” to Foster Youth IP Skills
On May 13–14, 2025, the EUIPO and Hungarian Intellectual Property Office co-hosted the first IP in Education Network meeting of 2025 in Budapest. The event gathered representatives from EU education ministries, IP offices, and policy institutions to explore IP education under the themes of AI, digital transformation, and launched the “IP Next-GEN” initiative, aiming to make IP literacy a core competence for young people in the digital era. Organizations like CEDEFOP, OECD, Code.org, and the European Institute of Innovation & Technology shared best practices for integrating IP into both general and vocational education. Through panel discussions and workshops, the network pushed to turn IP education from vision into reality. Educational materials, including the MOOC, are available on the IdeasPowered@School website.
4. Advanced Technology Commercialization Conference Opens in Suzhou, Promotes Civil-Military Integration
On May 17, 2025, the 3rd Advanced Technology Commercialization Conference opened in Suzhou. Jiangsu Provincial Party Committee Deputy Secretary and Suzhou Party Secretary Liu Xiaotao, Vice Governor Li Zhongjun, and CNIPA Deputy Commissioner Lu Pengqi attended the opening. Li emphasized Jiangsu's strengths in defense tech and innovation, calling for stronger civil-military collaboration and private sector engagement. Key releases included the 10th batch of the IP Transfer Catalog for Advanced Technologies, a Proof-of-Concept and Pilot Platform, and the launch of the Kunlun Constellation MEO Satellite Relay System. The event featured 4,000 technology results and 193 demand items, with 45 projects signed for transfer, reinforcing a collaborative ecosystem for high-quality technology transformation.
Source: 江苏省知识产权局 要闻动态 第三届先进技术成果转化大会在苏州开幕
5. Singapore Launches Accelerated Patent and Trademark Program to Boost IP Efficiency and Business Support
The Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) will officially launch a new "Accelerated Patent and Trademark Program" on May 20, 2025, replacing the IP Fast Track pilot ending in December 2024. The initiative aims to enhance examination efficiency and business accessibility. The patent track offers two options—first office action within 4 or 8 months—subject to limits on claim numbers and monthly requests per entity. The trademark track significantly streamlines procedures, enabling applicants to receive initial feedback within 3–6 weeks without needing to meet previous classification requirements. The program also qualifies for tax incentives and Enterprise Development Grant (EDG) support, helping businesses reduce IP registration and acceleration costs while accelerating innovation commercialization.
6. Douyin Wins AI Model Infringement Case; Court Confirms Protection of Model Structure and Parameters
On March 31, 2025, the Beijing Intellectual Property Court issued a final judgment in favor of Douyin in a lawsuit against Yiruike, developer of the B612 Camera app, for copying its AI visual effects model. The court ruled that Yiruike committed unfair competition and awarded Douyin RMB 1.6 million in damages. Douyin argued its "Comic Transformation Effect" model was developed through training on hand-drawn and real images, and the model’s structure and parameters were original. Yiruike’s similar “Shoujo Manga Effect” shared nearly identical convolutional layers and activation functions. The court found Yiruike failed to prove independent development and had directly used Douyin’s output. This decision marks the first legal confirmation that AI model structure and parameters constitute competitive achievements protected under China’s Anti-Unfair Competition Law, setting a precedent for future IP disputes in the AI domain.
Source: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/Ui_ozGIOPJ7Xp9Lj9vr8_g
7. Kuaishou Ordered to Pay RMB 1.6 Million for Facilitating Infringement via TV Drama Clips
On April 23, 2025, the Shanghai High People’s Court ruled in a final judgment that Kuaishou was liable for contributory infringement against Youku, ordering it to pay RMB 1.6 million. The case involved over 4,000 short video clips of the TV series Empresses in the Palace shared on the Kuaishou app, most of which were directly edited from the original show. Although Youku had issued takedown notices, Kuaishou failed to adequately remove the infringing content and even facilitated exposure by creating dedicated topic pages. The court found Kuaishou had constructive knowledge of the infringement and emphasized that algorithmic recommendation does not exempt platforms from liability. The ruling reinforces platform obligations to manage user-uploaded content and confirms that unauthorized short clips of popular audiovisual works constitute infringement.
Source: 传播《甄嬛传》切片侵权，快手被判赔160万元
8. Xiaomi Awarded RMB 30 Million in Trademark Infringement and Unfair Competition Case
In April 2025, the Shanghai Intellectual Property Court concluded four cases involving famous trademarks, including Xiaomi. The court recognized Xiaomi’s trademarks No. 8228211 (“小米”) and No. 8911270 (MI logo) as well-known marks and granted punitive damages, fully supporting Xiaomi’s RMB 30 million claim. L Company and H Company used similar signs such as “Xiaomi Zero Degree” and “Xiao Ai Xiao Ai” on smart toilets and showers, authorized by an individual named Su. The “Xiao Ai” voice command was found likely to mislead consumers into believing an association with Xiaomi. The court ruled that these acts constituted both trademark infringement and unfair competition. H Company was held jointly liable for RMB 20,000. The case strengthens cross-category protection of well-known trademarks and sets precedent in regulating unfair competition in voice-interaction contexts.
Source: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/rOYv2FS7t-2oVenLTIXjkw
9. Nokia Sues Hisense, Acer, ASUS Over Video Codec Patent Infringement
In April 2025, Nokia launched multiple lawsuits against Hisense, Acer, and ASUS, alleging unauthorized use of its video codec technologies (H.264/AVC and H.265/HEVC) in smart TVs and computers. Lawsuits were filed in German courts, the Unified Patent Court (UPC), and various U.S. district courts, including the Western District of Texas, the Central District of California, and the Northern District of Georgia. Nokia also filed a Section 337 investigation request with the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC). These actions followed Nokia’s recent settlement with Amazon over similar patents, signaling continued enforcement under its new leadership. The cases highlight escalating global IP compliance risks for Chinese IoT device exporters and underline the strategic importance of patent licensing in international markets.
Source: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/IUw7KNtNprbx6Vo0-x3mIg
10. IP Bridge Sues BYD in Germany for Cellular SEPs Infringement
On March 11, 2025, Japanese licensing firm IP Bridge filed two lawsuits in the Munich Regional Court I against BYD, alleging infringement of standard-essential patents (SEPs) related to 4G/LTE cellular communications. One key patent, EP2294737 (originally held by Panasonic), has been used in prior successful cases against Daimler and Ford, both of whom joined the Avanci licensing pool after litigation. The court has repeatedly upheld the patent’s validity. BYD is the first Chinese automaker to face SEP litigation in Europe, and the case may impact its operations in the EU, including the risk of sales bans. The lawsuit signals growing pressure on Chinese automotive exporters to engage in proactive SEP licensing as connected vehicle technologies expand globally.
Source: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/IUw7KNtNprbx6Vo0-x3mIg
