China IP, Beijing, Beijing (2025)

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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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 Of these, 12 cases were voluntarily withdrawn by ATL, while 2 were dismissed by courts.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

28/08/2025

Unitree Faces Patent Lawsuit from Micro-Enterprise amid IPO Push

A patent infringement lawsuit against Hangzhou-based robotics company Unitree Robotics has attracted significant attention in China's technology and legal sectors, particularly as the company is in the process of preparing for its initial public offering (IPO). The case was heard by the Hangzhou Intermediate People's Court on August 26.

The plaintiff, Hangzhou Luweimei Daily Chemical Co., Ltd., a small-scale retailer with only two employees as of 2024, has accused Unitree of infringing on an invention patent related to an “electronic dog.” The case is significant, both because of the stark contrast between the two parties and the timing—just weeks after Unitree entered IPO counseling in July.

Unitree Robotics, founded in 2016, is a well-known developer of quadruped and humanoid robots. The company’s products are widely used in education, inspection, and rescue, with customers including top universities and state-owned enterprises. In 2024, it sold over 23,000 quadruped robots, holding nearly 70% of the global market. Its best-selling model, Unitree Go1, has shipped over 50,000 units.

Luweimei Daily Chemical, by contrast, is a little-known micro-enterprise with traditional retail operations. Its registered capital is only RMB 550,000. Despite the lack of connection to robotics, the company is now the owner of a patent that is central to the lawsuit.

The patent in question, titled "An Electronic Dog," was originally filed in 2016 by Zhejiang Jianlin Electronic & Electrical Co., Ltd. (Jianlin Electric), a company controlled by Zhou Jianjun—who also controls Luweimei. The patent describes a quadruped robot equipped with sensors, cameras, and wireless communication capabilities that allow users to remotely monitor their homes and receive intrusion alerts. The system also includes biometric recognition through gas sensors and personalized user responses.

Ownership of the patent was transferred twice in 2025—first in February from Zhejiang Jianlin Electronic & Electrical Co., Ltd. to Hangzhou Lianhao Technology Trading Co., Ltd., and then in July to its current owner, Luweimei. Despite the multiple transfers, the companies involved are closely connected: Jianlin Electric and Luweimei share the same legal representative, Zhou Jianjun, and operate out of adjacent offices in Hangzhou.

Zhou Jianjun has a history of engaging in intellectual property lawsuits. Jianlin Electric has been involved in 49 court cases, acting as plaintiff in more than 90% of them—many involving patent or software copyright disputes. Targets have included over 20 banks such as China Construction Bank.

The case highlights concerns about “patent ambush”—a strategy in which patents are used to pressure companies at sensitive moments, such as IPOs, in hopes of securing out-of-court settlements.

View the full article:
https://www.chinaiptoday.com/post.html?id=2245
Photo: Unitree

26/08/2025

China's First Metaverse Trademark Ruling: Virtual Car Deemed Infringement, 1 Million RMB Awarded

On July 21, 2025, the Hangzhou Intermediate People's Court issued a landmark second-instance decision in a trademark infringement and unfair competition case involving the "G. Patton" brand, reversing the initial ruling. The court found the defendants—Shanghai G-Peak Industrial Co., Ltd. and its affiliates—liable for both trademark infringement and unfair competition, ordering them to pay 1 million RMB in compensation.

This case represents a legal milestone as the first to recognize virtual items in a game as products similar to their real-world counterparts. The court ruled that by authorizing a third party (Tencent) to incorporate a virtual "G. Patton" car into the game Game for Peace—which closely resembled the actual G. Patton vehicle—the defendants had committed trademark infringement, as the virtual and physical cars were deemed similar products.

Xuanwo Company, owner of the "G. Patton" trademark, claimed that the defendants collaborated with Tencent to promote the brand in the game by embedding the virtual car and using related trademarks in marketing campaigns. The central question was whether this constituted infringement.

In its reasoning, the court acknowledged that virtual cars and real vehicles fall under different trademark categories—Class 12 covers physical automobiles, not digital representations. However, it emphasized that for trademarks with commercial recognition, assessing product similarity requires a nuanced evaluation of their relationship.

In this case, although the virtual car differed from its real-world counterpart in function, usage, production, sales channels, and target consumers, the court identified meaningful overlaps:

Function and usage: The in-game vehicle allows players to travel quickly or participate in races, mirroring the real car's transport function. Its detailed design—replicating the appearance, interior, and even engine sounds of the physical model—created a strong visual association.

Sales channels and target consumers: While real cars target buyers through dealerships, the virtual version targets gamers. However, the court noted that gamers' exposure to the virtual brand could spark interest in the actual product, creating consumer overlap.

Public perception: The defendants licensed detailed vehicle attributes—name, logo, design, and engine sounds—for use in Game for Peace, where the virtual car replicated both the appearance and transport function of its physical counterpart. Promotional materials reinforced this connection by labelling the game as "officially licensed," claiming to "accurately recreate" the real vehicle, and grouping G. Patton with luxury brands like Maserati and Tesla.

To view the full article:
https://lnkd.in/g-ZWg7XG

Photo: http://us-g-patton.cn/

21/08/2025

How Can Intellectual Property Become an Asset for Financing?A Dialogue with Inngot CEO Mr. Martin Brassell

In 2008, China's State Council issued Outline of the National Intellectual Property Strategy, which explicitly stated that "Independent innovation is encouraged to acquire IPRs and be commercialized and industrialized, and enterprises are guided to realize the market value of their IPRs through rights transferring, licensing, pledging or other means. [1]" Since the implementation of the 14th Five-Year Plan, China has witnessed rapid growth in IP financing: in 2023, China's patent and trademark pledge financing reached CNY 853.99 billion, a year-on-year increase of 75.4% [2], benefiting 37,000 enterprises; in 2024, banking institutions in China issued a cumulative total of CNY 255.57 billion in IP-backed loans, marking a 33.4% year-on-year growth [3].

However, at the practical level, IP financing still faces prominent challenges in the valuation and disposal of IP assets, as well as information asymmetry. These issues are common across the industry, relevant practices are only advancing in continuous exploration. Against this backdrop, Intellectual Property Observers was honored to invite Mr. Martin Brassell, Co-founder and CEO of Inngot, to engage in an in-depth discussion on IP financing and intangible asset valuation during the 14th Business of IP Asia Forum. In the process, Mr. Brassell not only provided practical advice for enterprises on IP financing, but also analyzed the similarities and differences in policy design across different countries from an international and comparative perspective, offering professional insights into global IP financing trends.

As a recognized authority in the field, Mr. Martin Brassell has dedicated over 15 years to IP financing, specializing in asset identification and valuation, and is committed to enhancing enterprise value. He has been deeply involved in policy research and development, and has authored a number of influential research reports for the UK Intellectual Property Office (UK IPO), the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS), the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), playing a key role in advancing the financialization of IP globally.

To view the detailed dialogue:
https://www.chinaiptoday.com/post.html?id=2243

15/08/2025

Beijing E-Town Sues Applied Materials for Trade Secret Theft

Beijing E-Town Semiconductor Technologies announced on Wednesday that it has filed a lawsuit against U.S.-based Applied Materials, Inc., accusing the company of illegally obtaining and using its core trade secrets related to plasma sources and wafer surface treatment technologies. The Chinese semiconductor equipment maker claims in its lawsuit filed at the Beijing Intellectual Property Court that Applied Materials improperly acquired these trade secrets and subsequently disclosed them by filing a patent application in China, seeking 99.99 million yuan in compensation for the alleged infringement.

The disputed technology involves the use of high-concentration, stable, and uniform plasma for wafer surface treatment, which Beijing E-Town describes as critical to its semiconductor equipment, including devices for dry photoresist removal, dry etching, and surface modification. The company asserts that it holds exclusive trade secrets in this field and that Applied Materials' actions have caused significant commercial harm.

The lawsuit centers on two former employees of Mattson Technology, Inc. (MTI), a wholly owned subsidiary of Beijing E-Town, who later joined Applied Materials. These individuals had access to sensitive technical information and had signed confidentiality agreements during their tenure at MTI. Evidence suggests that after moving to Applied Materials, they filed a patent application with the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) that allegedly disclosed trade secrets jointly owned by Beijing E-Town and MTI.
Beijing E-Town alleges that Applied Materials violated China’s Anti-Unfair Competition Law by unlawfully acquiring and using its proprietary technology, then incorporating it into products sold to Chinese customers. The company is requesting that the court order Applied Materials to cease infringement, destroy confidential materials, and stop further disclosure of the trade secrets. In addition, Beijing E-Town seeks legal recognition of its ownership of the disputed patent rights and financial compensation totaling 99.99 million yuan, which includes triple punitive damages.

Founded in 2015, Beijing E-Town Semiconductor Technologies specializes in developing and manufacturing wafer processing equipment for integrated circuit production. It is one of the few Chinese companies capable of producing a wide range of semiconductor equipment and claims to be the only domestic firm with internationally leading technology in both plasma and wafer thermal processing. The company went public on the Shanghai Stock Exchange’s STAR Market in July 2025, with a market capitalization of approximately 67.623 billion yuan.

View the full article:
https://www.chinaiptoday.com/post.html?id=2241
Photo Source: Communications Today

13/08/2025

14 Ex-employees Sentenced for Stealing Chip Secrets to Launch Rival Startup, Zunpai

Fourteen former Huawei employees have been sentenced and fined for stealing proprietary chip technology and using it to establish a rival company, Zunpai Communications.

The Shanghai Third Intermediate People’s Court issued its ruling on July 28, resulting in a total fine of 13.5 million yuan and prison sentences for the defendants.

The primary defendant, Zhang Kun, a former executive at Huawei’s chip subsidiary HiSilicon, received a six-year prison term and a 3-million-yuan fine. The other 13 defendants were sentenced to prison terms ranging from one to five years, with fines between 200,000 and 1.5 million yuan. Five will serve immediate jail time, while the remaining received suspended sentences.

Police investigation revealed that after leaving Huawei, Zhang Kun and his associates founded Zunpai Communications in early 2021 in Nanjing. The group lured former Huawei R&D employees to join the new company with promises of high salaries and equity shares. Before their resignation, the employees were instructed to steal sensitive chip technology from Huawei using methods such as copying files and taking screenshots. The stolen technology was then used in the design of Zunpai's chips, allowing the company to benefit from Huawei’s intellectual property.

An expert evaluation confirmed that 40 key technical points in the infringing chips were over 90% identical to Huawei's proprietary technology, constituting a substantial violation. This led to significant losses for Huawei, with damages calculated based on both the stolen technology’s development costs and its estimated market value.
The case also saw the Chinese government take swift action. In December 2023, Shanghai police arrested the 14 individuals involved in the theft. At the same time, authorities froze 95 million yuan worth of Zunpai’s assets.

Founded in 2021 and headquartered in Nanjing, Zunpai Communications specializes in semiconductor chips for smart home and business applications, particularly Wi-Fi 6 router chips. Between 2021 and 2023, the company secured multiple funding rounds from prominent investors. Xiaomi also participated in the financing but later clarified its involvement was purely financial, with no technical or managerial ties to Zunpai.

View the full article:
https://lnkd.in/gbV4Pbqz
Photo Source: leiphone

08/08/2025

Rongta Technology hit with 200 million RMB trade secret lawsuit

Rongta Technology is facing a 200 million RMB trade secret lawsuit from its rival, Pinnacle Technology, according to a statement released by Rongta last month.

The lawsuit, filed with the Xiamen Intermediate People's Court, accuses Rongta and one of its former employees, Mr. A, of misappropriating Pinnacle's trade secrets.

Pinnacle is seeking a court order to halt Rongta's actions infringing on its trade secrets, as well as to stop the development, production, and sale of the accused infringing weighing products.

In addition, Pinnacle demands compensation for the infringement and related litigation costs, with claims totaling approximately 200 million RMB.

At the heart of the dispute is Mr. A, a former employee of Rongta. In August 2020, Mr. A was arrested by Xiamen Public Security Bureau for allegedly stealing trade secrets. A year later, Pinnacle filed a criminal lawsuit at the People's Court of Siming District in Xiamen, with a civil claim attached, against Mr. A and Rongta, accusing them of trade secret infringement.

Pinnacle alleged that Mr. A misappropriated its trade secrets and used the disputed software in four of Rongta's weighing products, which were launched around September 2015. Pinnacle also claimed that Rongta knew or should have known about Mr. A's actions.

In August 2022, the People's Court of Siming District in Xiamen ruled in favor of Pinnacle, confirming that Mr. A had infringed on its trade secrets. However, Rongta appealed the decision, and the Xiamen Intermediate People's Court overturned the ruling, remanding the case for a retrial.

In November 2023, the Siming District People's Court rejected all of Pinnacle's claims during the retrial, on the grounds that Pinnacle's claims were not based on infringement of personal rights or loss due to property damage, and therefore should not be brought as a civil lawsuit attached to criminal proceedings. Pinnacle filed an appeal, but in April 2024, the Xiamen Intermediate People's Court upheld the retrial judgment, dismissing the claims.

Now, Pinnacle has escalated the dispute by filing a civil lawsuit against Rongta, reigniting the legal battle.

In response, Rongta firmly denied the accusations. The company emphasized that it was only made aware of Mr. A's actions when he was arrested and that his employment ended in January 2021. Furthermore, the disputed products were discontinued from sale in August 2020.

Rongta views this civil lawsuit as similar in nature to the previous case, in which all of the Pinnacle's claims were dismissed in the past retrial and appeal decisions. The company does not anticipate that this new lawsuit will significantly impact its business, financial status, or operations.

View the full article:
https://www.chinaiptoday.com/post.html?id=2237
Photo source: Rongta Technology

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