China IP, Beijing, Beijing (2025)

23/10/2025

Evgeny Alexandrov, senior partner at IP Law Firm Gorodissky & Partners gives practical guidance on the Road to Market Success: IP Protection Best Practices for Chinese Businesses in Russia.

The expanding strategic partnership between Russia and China, reflected in growing bilateral trade, brings significant opportunities for Chinese businesses across sectors from high-tech to consumer goods. However, this promising landscape is accompanied by distinct intellectual property (IP) challenges that can undermine market entry and long-term growth. A proactive and strategic approach to IP is, therefore, essential for creating and defending business value in the Russian market.
Russia's 'first-to-file' system provides a predictable framework for IP protection, making early trademark registration the most critical step for market entry. A commercial launch of a branded product without secured trademark rights creates immediate vulnerabilities, potentially leading to third-party registrations, customs complications, and costly legal disputes. While the system offers robust enforcement mechanisms—from civil litigation and customs recordals to criminal prosecution—these tools are most effective for those who lay the groundwork in advance.

This article analyzes these challenges and strategies through the lens of recent case studies involving Chinese companies. Examination of real-world examples of both pre-emptive registration conflicts and post-registration enforcement outlines a practical roadmap for navigating the Russian IP landscape. The goal is to provide Chinese businesses with the insights needed to protect their assets, mitigate risks, and secure a durable competitive advantage.

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22/10/2025

Secures Swift Win in High-Profile Robot Dog Patent Case Amid IPO Push

Unitree Robotics has secured win in its high-profile patent dispute with Hangzhou Luweimei Daily Chemical Co., Ltd, according to news released earlier this month.

On September 26, the Zhejiang Hangzhou Intermediate People’s Court delivered a first-instance ruling in favor of Unitree, rejecting all claims made by Luweimei. The court determined that Unitree did not infringe on Luweimei’s patent, marking a significant victory for the company as it prepares for its initial public offering (IPO).

Luweimei has announced its intention to appeal the court’s decision.

The case began in July 2025, when Luweimei, a small-scale retailer with just two employees as of 2024, accused Unitree of infringing its invention patent (Patent No. CN106384471) related to an “electronic dog”. Luweimei claimed that despite issuing multiple infringement notices, Unitree continued to expand production, thus committing willful infringement. The plaintiff further argued that the accused product used subpar technology, resulting in a performance decrease of over 60%, which allegedly damaged Luweimei’s market reputation, reduced its market share, and caused direct losses exceeding 200 million yuan.

Luweimei's demands included:

An injunction requiring Unitree to stop manufacturing, selling, or offering for sale the “Unitree G02” robot dog, and the destruction of all infringing products, semi-finished goods, and production molds.

Compensation for Luweimei’s economic losses, initially set at 500 yuan, with the final amount to be determined through a court audit of the infringement and patent usage fees.

Punitive damages, with Luweimei seeking 3-5 times the profits Unitree allegedly gained from the infringement, to be determined by the court.

Reimbursement of reasonable legal costs, including attorney, notarization, and appraisal fees.

A public statement from Unitree on its official website and in China Intellectual Property News for 30 consecutive days to mitigate the negative effects of the alleged infringement.

Unitree denied all allegations, stating that Luweimei's claim of a 200 million yuan loss had no factual basis. The company further argued that the lawsuit was malicious, aiming to exploit Unitree’s reputation for improper gain. Unitree requested that the court dismiss all of Luweimei’s claims.

The court dismissed the infringement claims after analyzing two key technical differences.

Photo: Unitree
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22/10/2025

@ Davide L. Petraz and Petraz, Co-manganing partners of GLP Intellectual Property Office shared with China IP their insights on Patents in Biotech & Pharma: Practical law & strategy for Italy and Europe.

Summary

How the EPO's Enlarged Boards of Appeal are reshaping the European patent law framework

Why biotech/pharma patents matter (value & leverage)

SPCs, regulatory interplay and Italy-specific notes

Key procedural and formal features that are “biotech-specific”

Change in the inventorship/ownership patent law in Italy when universities/research institutions are involved

Patentability: exclusions, diagnostics and second medical uses

Evidence & enablement: when is experimental data “enough”?

Portfolio & prosecution tactics

UPC litigation — a changing landscape for pharma and biotech

Global considerations & public-health exceptions

AI, digital health and future directions

Practical checklist for a pharma or biotech applicant

Click to read the full article:
https://www.chinaiptoday.com/post.html?id=2255

17/10/2025

Russia-Eurasia IP Protection Seminar Successfully Held

To help Chinese companies effectively address IP risks in the Russia-Eurasia market, the internationally renowned IP Law Firm Gorodissky & Partners , in collaboration with the Intellectual Property Observers, held a seminar in Beijing on September 19, 2025, themed "Striking IP Gold in Russia-Eurasian Market: A Comprehensive Guide to IP Protection Strategies." The seminar focused on practical operations related to IP applications, portfolio management, enforcement, and compliance in the Russian-language jurisdictions, with a team of senior partners from Gorodissky & Partners' Moscow office leading the discussions. They shared the latest strategies in patent, trademark, design, and cross-border IP enforcement.

The seminar provided a comprehensive guide for Chinese enterprises, systematically analyzing the characteristics of the Russian and Eurasian IP system, the latest legal policies, and notable case studies. Participants included corporate IP managers, industry experts, and IP professionals, engaging in lively discussions throughout the session. The event offered attendees not only a thorough understanding of the IP legal environment in the Russian and Eurasian market but also practical and actionable advice to protect innovation and safeguard commercial value in this strategically important emerging market.

To view the full article:
https://www.chinaiptoday.com/post.html?id=2253

16/10/2025

Tiansheng Loses RMB 98.6 Million Patent Lawsuit Against Visight

Changzhou Tiansheng New Materials Group has lost its RMB 98.6 million patent infringement lawsuit against its rival Visight Advanced Material, according to an announcement made by Tiansheng on October 10.

The Supreme People’s Court ruled in favor of Visight, affirming the China National Intellectual Property Administration's (CNIPA) decision from September 2023 to invalidate the patent in question. The court dismissed Tiansheng’s administrative lawsuit, confirming the CNIPA’s finding that the patent lacked inventiveness.

The dispute dates back to February 2023 when Tiansheng sued Visight in the Qingdao Intermediate People’s Court, accusing the company’s VICELL-V series products of infringing its patent for “An Improved Crosslinked Polyvinyl Chloride Structural Foam and Its Preparation Method” (Patent No. ZL200910033041.X). Tiansheng sought to stop Visight’s alleged infringement, demand the destruction of the infringing products, and claim RMB 98 million in damages, as well as RMB 600,000 in legal costs.

Visight responded by challenging the patent’s validity before the CNIPA. In September 2023, the CNIPA ruled the patent invalid for lack of inventiveness, which led the the Qingdao Intermediate People’s Court to reject Tiansheng’s claims.

Tiansheng then appealed the first-instance judgment of the Qingdao Intermediate People’s Court to the Supreme People’s Court, while also filing an administrative lawsuit with the Beijing Intellectual Property Court challenging the patent invalidation decision, which it further appealed up to the Supreme People’s Court. Ultimately, the Supreme People’s Court upheld the CNIPA’s invalidation decision, confirming that the patent was invalid and dismissing Tiansheng’s claims.

The legal battle, however, has impacted Visight beyond the courtroom. The lawsuit was filed during a critical phase of Visight’s IPO process. The ongoing litigation, along with Tiansheng’s other patent invalidation requests filed against Visight in March 2023, caused significant setbacks. Four of these patents were invalidated, and the IPO application was ultimately withdrawn in April 2024.

In February 2025, nearly a year after abandoning its IPO attempt, Visight filed a countersuit against Tiansheng for RMB 80 million and a public apology, alleging that Tiansheng’s “malicious IP litigation” caused it to fail to meet the listing requirements and review thresholds, ultimately missing the IPO window and being forced to withdraw its listing application. The court rejected Visight’s counterclaim in July 2025, according to Tiansheng’s announcement.

Photo Source: Yicai Global

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https://lnkd.in/dW95cRXK

10/10/2025

Settlement Reached in Landmark “Jin Yong v. Jiang Nan Fanfiction Case”

On September 19, the long-running copyright infringement and unfair competition case between renowned author Jin Yong and novelist Jiang Nan reached a final settlement after multiple mediations by the Guangdong High People’s Court. The case, referred to as the "first fanfiction case" in China, has spanned nine years, affecting the publishing industry and the literary community.

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https://www.chinaiptoday.com/post.html?id=2252

27/09/2025

2025 World Congress Concludes Successfully

The 2025 AIPPI World Congress was held from September 13 to 16 in Yokohama, Japan, marking a milestone for the global intellectual property (IP) community. This is the third time the Congress has taken place in Japan, with the previous event hosted in 1992. With more than 2,000 attendees from across the globe, the Congress proved to be a pivotal moment for IP professionals to come together, share ideas, and engage in meaningful discussions on the future of intellectual property.

Photo Source: AIPPI
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https://www.chinaiptoday.com/post.html?id=2251

26/09/2025

CosMX Ordered to Pay ATL RMB 9.9 Million in Patent Infringement Ruling, Fujian High People’s Court Rules

CosMX has been ordered to pay RMB 9.9 million in damages to its rival Amperex Technology Limited (ATL) in a patent infringement case, as per a recent ruling by the Fujian High People’s Court.

The ruling, disclosed in an announcement by CosMX on September 15 regarding litigation progress, also requires CosMX to halt the manufacturing and selling of battery cells related to the disputed patent and to bear litigation costs of RMB 52,600.

In response, CosMX confirmed that it would continue to monitor the case’s progress and is preparing to appeal the decision.

The case began in 2022 when ATL accused CosMX of infringing its patent titled “An Electrolyte and Electrochemical Device” (Patent No. ZL201811108529.X). Initially, ATL sought RMB 11 million in damages. In July 2023, ATL amended its claims, raising the damages demand to RMB 1.1 billion, and the case was transferred to the Fujian High People’s Court for trial.

The court ultimately ruled that CosMX had infringed ATL’s patent and issued a ruling mandating the cessation of the production and sale of the relevant battery cells.

This ruling is part of a wider patent dispute between the two companies, spanning several years and jurisdictions. According to CosMX’s 2024 annual report, ATL had filed 21 patent infringement lawsuits against CosMX across China, the U.S., and Germany. Of these, 12 cases were voluntarily withdrawn by ATL, while 2 were dismissed by courts. In the remaining cases, five have been found to involve infringement by CosMX products in the first instance. Notably, one of ATL’s patents was later declared invalid by the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA).

In the U.S., CosMX has been challenging several of ATL’s patents through Inter Partes Review (IPR) proceedings. While the results have been mixed at the preliminary stage, legal analysts suggest that the current U.S. patent policy may favor ATL’s position due to stronger protection of intellectual property rights under the Trump administration.

Despite the ongoing litigation, CosMX has also been strengthening its position through strategic patent acquisitions. Recently, CosMX acquired several key lithium battery patents from Panasonic, adding to its intellectual property portfolio. The patents include:

Patent No. ZL201880018653.9, titled “Secondary Battery”;

Patent No. ZL200880001215.8, titled “Non-Aqueous Electrolyte Secondary Battery”;

Patent No. ZL200710008331.X, titled “Lithium Secondary Battery”.

The patent transfers were completed between June and July 2025, and these acquisitions are expected to impact future legal battles and market dynamics.

Photo Source: SSE Roadshow
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https://www.chinaiptoday.com/post.html?id=2250

16/09/2025

From Suing Hikvision for 10 Million Yuan to Clashing with Jieshun— Hongmen’s Patent Battles Continue

Chinese access control leader Hongmen Advanced Technology Corporation is now involved in a new patent dispute with its industry rival Shenzhen Jieshun Science and Technology Industry Co., Ltd., according to recently disclosed information from the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA).

The CNIPA’s oral hearing schedule indicates that Jieshun has filed an invalidation request against one of Hongmen’s key patents, titled “Electric Fence Gate Capable of Three-Dimensional Rotation” (Patent No. ZL200810142110.6). The hearing is set for October 17, 2025, at CNIPA. While it remains unclear whether any litigation has been filed between the two companies, the invalidation proceeding signals the start of a formal dispute.

This is the same patent at the center of Hongmen’s ongoing lawsuit against Hikvision, in which it is seeking 10 million yuan in damages. On January 7, 2025, Hongmen filed a complaint with the Wuhan Intermediate People’s Court, alleging that Hikvision and it subsidiary had infringed the patent. The company demanded 10 million yuan in compensation for economic losses and 310,265 yuan in legal and related expenses, for a total claim of 10.31 million yuan.

The lawsuit subsequently led to a jurisdictional dispute. On June 5, 2025, the Supreme People’s Court (SPC) rejected Hikvision’s appeal to transfer the case to its home court in Hangzhou, affirming that even the sale of a single infringing product can establish jurisdiction. The ruling also clarified the legal boundaries of “forum shopping” in patent disputes—where plaintiffs strategically purchase products in certain jurisdictions to file suits there.

Hongmen’s patent in question has become a critical IP asset for the company. CNIPA records show it has faced eight invalidation challenges to date, with three of them resulting in official decisions to uphold the patent’s validity. One of the challengers was Guangdong Ankuai Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd., suggesting that Hongmen may have enforced this patent against Ankuai in the past as well.

This aggressive enforcement approach aligns with Hongmen’s long-standing stance on IP protection. The company has publicly emphasized its commitment to defending its patents and trademarks and has a history of initiating IP litigation, including cases that reached China’s Supreme People’s Court.

In 2017, for instance, Hongmen sued the Hongmenkai Electromechanical Equipment Business Department for using its trademark in brochures and business documents. It requested the court to order the defendant to cease infringement, change its business name, and pay damages.

View the full article:
https://www.chinaiptoday.com/post.html?id=2249
Photo Source: Hongmen

12/09/2025

China's innovation in Brazil: strong patent protection and enforcement

Otto Licks, Isabella Benevides and João Cruz from Licks Attorneys share with China IP insights on Chinese patent protection and enforcement in Brazil.

To view the full article:
https://www.chinaiptoday.com/post.html?id=2248

09/09/2025

Anchoring a New Course for Global IP Harmonization and Building New Bridges for Efficient Dialogue - Interview with Lorenza Ferrari Hofer, President of

As a highly influential organization in the international intellectual property (IP) field, the International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI) has always taken promoting the harmonization of global IP laws and facilitating in-depth industry dialogue as its core missions. The 2024-2025 period marks a critical stage in AIPPI's development. Since assuming office as the new President from the position of First Vice President, Lorenza Ferrari Hofer has not only driven the association to address the challenges brought by the growing size of its membership and the expansion of its activities, but also continued to make efforts in building a "more efficient and collaborative global IP network".

On the occasion of the upcoming 2025 AIPPI World Congress, as the official media support of the Congress, Intellectual Property Observers/China IP conducted an exclusive interview with President Lorenza Ferrari Hofer, aiming to deeply explore her strategic vision after taking office, the association's structural innovations, and the highlights of the Yokohama Congress agenda. This interview delves into six key topics: from the current opportunities and challenges facing AIPPI, and its strategies for promoting the harmonization of global IP laws, to the legal complexities of AI and copyright highlighted at the Yokohama Congress, as well as the new exploration of IP and data commercialization. It also explores how AIPPI seeks to strengthen its influence on international IP policymaking and outlines the specific initiatives to support the growth of young IP professionals. Together, these topics offer a comprehensive view of AIPPI’s latest developments and future direction in global IP governance—providing professionals in the field with insights of both strategic relevance and practical value.

To view the full Interview:
https://www.chinaiptoday.com/post.html?id=2247

01/09/2025

Ordered to Pay 89.1 Million Yuan in Landmark Rulings
Chinese short video giant Kuaishou has been ordered to pay a total of 89.1 million yuan in damages to Tencent for the unauthorized distribution of two of its most popular productions, Deyun Laughter Club and Lost You Forever.
The final judgments, issued by the Guangdong and Chongqing High People’s Courts, have drawn widespread attention within China’s intellectual property and internet sectors, not only for the size of the compensation but also for the legal reasoning underpinning the rulings.
The courts found that users on Kuaishou’s platform had repeatedly edited and reposted copyrighted content from the two shows, in many cases uploading infringing clips concurrently with the official broadcasts. These clips were widely disseminated, often algorithmically recommended, and in some cases monetized through advertising. In particular, the court noted that infringing videos related to Lost You Forever garnered over 8.6 billion views, underscoring the scale and commercial value of the violation.
Tencent stated that it had made multiple attempts to resolve the situation through direct communication with Kuaishou, but those efforts failed to produce meaningful results. With the platform continuing to host and profit from unauthorized content, Tencent turned to litigation to enforce its rights.
In the initial trials, the courts confirmed that infringement had occurred, but the damages awarded were significantly lower than Tencent had sought. On appeal, the higher courts reassessed the circumstances and issued a final ruling that Kuaishou must pay 60 million yuan for Deyun Laughter Club and 29.1 million yuan for Lost You Forever.
What makes the rulings particularly consequential is the courts’ articulation of platform liability. Kuaishou argued that it merely provided information storage services and should not be held directly accountable for content uploaded by users. However, the courts rejected this position, holding that a platform of Kuaishou’s scale and technological sophistication bears a heightened responsibility. They determined that the company had knowledge—or at least should have had knowledge—of the widespread infringement occurring on its platform, yet failed to take sufficient action to stop it. The judgments classified Kuaishou’s conduct as contributory infringement, citing the company’s failure to fulfill its duty of care and prevent the systematic spread of unauthorized content.
View the full article:
https://www.chinaiptoday.com/post.html?id=2246
Photo source: Caixin

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