1. CNIPA Releases 2025 Action Plan for Building an Intellectual Property Powerhouse
On May 7, 2025, the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) released the 2025 Action Plan for Building an Intellectual Property Powerhouse, outlining key directions and tasks for IP work in 2025. The plan consists of seven sections with 118 specific tasks and designated responsible units, with strengthened implementation measures. In legal reform, it proposes revisions to the Trademark Law and Copyright Law Implementation Regulations, and drafts for regulations on genetic resource access and benefit sharing, as well as traditional Chinese medicine knowledge protection. On the protection front, it calls for stronger judicial enforcement, improved punitive damages, expanded prosecutorial roles, and tougher crackdowns on infringement. On utilization, it focuses on improving IP creation quality, facilitating commercialization, and deepening integration of the IP system with innovation and industry chains. The plan serves as an annual programmatic document for advancing China’s goal of becoming an IP powerhouse.
Source: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/O2uis6hqLjxvXVQ8FzY6Wg
2. Six Authorities Jointly Issue Patent Pool Operation Guidelines
On May 13, 2025, the CNIPA, along with the Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, State Administration for Market Regulation, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, jointly released the Guidelines for Patent Pool Construction and Operation. The document aims to promote high-quality development and orderly operation of patent pools, accelerate patent commercialization, foster fair competition, and cultivate new quality productivity. It stipulates that patent pools should follow four core principles: market orientation, interest balancing, openness, and non-discrimination. The guidelines ensure fair licensing rates, encourage participation from domestic and foreign right holders, and call for establishing information centers, conducting training, building professional management teams, and enhancing pool operations. The framework provides institutional support for collaborative industrial technology development and innovation ecosystem building.
Source: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/dhu9pLgUge6nmPiSEHmejQ
3. Trademark Office Revises Requirements for Canceling Non-Use Trademarks (3-Year Rule)
On May 26, 2025, the CNIPA Trademark Office released revisions to the application requirements for canceling registered trademarks not used for three consecutive years. The new rules further clarify the cancellation procedure and supporting document standards. Applicants must now submit preliminary investigation evidence, including the registrant’s business scope, status, and market research, with sources such as online searches, market surveys, and on-site visits. Applications can be filed via the online trademark service system, registration hall, or through authorized agents. After acceptance, a fee notice will be issued; failure to pay will result in dismissal. Upon payment, the office will notify the registrant to submit evidence of actual trademark use before making a final decision. The revisions aim to improve transparency and efficiency in cancellation procedures, standardize documentation, and promote rational trademark resource allocation. Related fees and guidelines have been updated on the official website.
Source: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/3W_YWWDDSGhwvoCW69q0NA
4. CNIPA Publishes 2025 Edition of International Patent Classification Guidelines (Chinese Translation)
On May 8, 2025, CNIPA officially released the Chinese version of the International Patent Classification (IPC) Guidelines (2025 Edition), translated by the Patent Literature Department from the original WIPO publication. The guide offers systematic and practical instructions on using the IPC for IP professionals and the public. It covers IPC’s development history, reform background, classification structure and arrangement rules, and usage methods. The guide aims to enhance classification accuracy and search efficiency for patent documents. It applies to patent documentation arrangement, technical information retrieval, novelty and inventive step assessment in patent applications, and technology trend analysis. As a key tool for standardizing and professionalizing IP work, it holds significant practical value for enterprises, research institutions, and government agencies.
Source: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/3W_YWWDDSGhwvoCW69q0NA
5. CNIPA Promotes Long-Term Mechanism for Patent Commercialization
CNIPA recently released the Notice on Deepening Special Actions for Patent Commercialization and Accelerating Long-Term Mechanism Formation (Guozhifa Yunzi [2025] No. 16). The notice outlines measures such as optimizing policy orientation, strengthening institutional frameworks, and improving service systems to accelerate the industrialization of patent achievements. It emphasizes that patent quantity should not be the sole assessment criterion; quality, commercialization status, and contribution to core business should be considered. Local governments are urged to help universities and research institutes refine their patent management systems, eliminate rough assessment standards, and implement pre-application evaluation mechanisms. The notice encourages transformation models like “use first, pay later” and open licensing, and calls for cultivating exemplary IP-based companies and products. Institutions are encouraged to establish integrated tech transfer and IP operation units and strengthen incentives. It also mandates dynamic, tiered patent management systems to enhance service capacity and foster an open, collaborative, and efficient ecosystem for patent commercialization.
Source: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/safH9MKW6UNzjU7zisqyMA
6. Guangdong Establishes Full-Chain Talent Development System for Patent Commercialization Managers
The Guangdong Administration for Market Regulation (Intellectual Property Office) recently issued an Implementation Plan to build a full-chain training system for technology managers in patent commercialization, addressing talent shortages and accelerating the transformation of innovations. In the "Selection" phase, Guangdong will establish databases for technology managers and service recipients. In the "Training" phase, it aims to develop professionals familiar with IP laws, capable of patent evaluation and risk management, and attuned to market needs. For "Utilization," the plan promotes resource integration and information exchange to activate talent at the frontlines of commercialization. In the "Service" phase, it encourages free or low-cost services. For "Evaluation," incentive mechanisms will be established to promote high-quality public service. This initiative aims to cultivate a skilled, adaptable team of technology managers to support Guangdong's efficient patent transformation and comprehensive innovation systems.
Source: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/FQDQtihnZK4pZ72YlnqRhg
7. Japan Registers First Trademark under New "Consent System", Relaxing Similarity Restrictions
On April 7, 2025, the Japan Patent Office (JPO) officially registered the first trademark under the new "Consent System," marking the system's first practical implementation. Effective since April 1, 2024, the system allows registration of trademarks that are identical or similar to prior marks and used for identical or similar goods/services, provided there is written consent from the prior rights holder and no likelihood of public confusion. The first registered trademark under this system is "Glass," applied for by sake brewery Koto Shuzo Co., with the original rights held by gift company Shady Ltd. With both parties in agreement, Shady issued a formal letter of consent. Upon examination, the JPO determined that the registration would not cause confusion and thus approved it. This system is akin to China’s "coexistence system," aiming to enhance trademark registration flexibility, balance trademark use rights among companies, and encourage negotiated resolutions of trademark similarity disputes.
Source: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/XvcpvtgVBWqlWlSO7dnHFA
8. U.S. Court Suggests Anthropic’s AI Training May Constitute Fair Use
On May 22, 2025, Judge William Alsup of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California preliminarily ruled in Bartz v. Anthropic PBC (Case No. 24-cv-05417) that while Anthropic's downloading of pirated book copies constituted infringement, its use of those works to train generative AI models may fall under fair use. Anthropic argued its use is “highly transformative” and satisfies the four fair use factors. The plaintiff authors countered that sourcing works from pirated sites is infringing regardless of purpose. Judge Alsup proposed that payment should be made for initial copies, possibly based on book market prices, and questioned whether AI training directly harms the book market, noting Anthropic has output restrictions in place. He requested supplemental briefs on whether the Authors Guild v. Google case applies to Anthropic's activities. The outcome may set a precedent on copyright boundaries in AI training and reflect evolving judicial views on fair use in generative AI.
Source: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/5Kg5jAK39RPiLlnYdxHHBg
9. LG Energy Wins Patent Case in Germany; Sunwoda Battery Sales Banned and Validity Challenge Launched
LG Energy Solution has won a patent lawsuit in Germany against Chinese battery manufacturer Sunwoda. On May 22, 2025, the Munich Regional Court ruled that Sunwoda infringed two of LG’s separator technology patents and granted a preliminary injunction sought by NPE Tulip Innovation, banning sales of related batteries in Germany. Sunwoda must recall inventory and pay damages. This is Germany’s first sales ban involving automotive batteries. Tulip stated that the ruling sends a clear message: battery makers cannot exploit innovations from technology leaders. Though Sunwoda plans to appeal, Tulip remains optimistic. Sunwoda ranks tenth globally in battery production and is rapidly expanding in small lithium and EV LFP batteries. It has filed invalidation actions against the patents in question. In 2024, Tulip launched a licensing program that integrates LG and Panasonic’s portfolios, aiming to centrally manage licensing and enforcement.
Source: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/om3bClFBNj1UvERMggvKMw
