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Guangdong Explicitly Links Patent Pre-Examination With Patent Prosecution Highway Eligibility
On April 14, 2026, the Guangdong Intellectual Property Protection Center released the Notice from Guangdong Provincial Intellectual Property Protection Center on Actively Promoting the Organic Integration of Patent Pre-examination and Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) (广东省知识产权保护中心关于积极推进专利预审与PPH有机衔接的通知). The Notice explicitly links requesting pre-examination of a patent application in Guangdong to enable a quick allowance at the China […]
China’s National Intellectual Property Administration Releases 2026 Intellectual Property Administrative Protection Work Plan – China to Toughen IP Export Control Enforcement
On April 10, 2026, China’s National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) released the 2026 Intellectual Property Administrative Protection Work Plan (2026年知识产权行政保护工作方案). The Work Plan lists 12 points to accomplish in 2026. Of particular interest to foreigners is CNIPA’s plan to “strengthen coordination with the Ministry of Commerce and strictly manage the transfer of intellectual property rights […]
China’s National Data Administration Issues Draft Guidelines for Data Property Registration (Trial) for Public Comment
On April 3, 2026, China’s National Data Administration (NDA) issued the Draft Guidelines for Data Property Registration (Trial) for Public Comment (数据产权登记工作指引（试行）》（公开征求意见稿）). These draft national Guidelines follow the limited data registration pilots in Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen. While the Guidelines don’t propose a new enforcement right, registered data certificates may be useful as an intangible […]
CNIPA Cross-Referencing Tax Records to Verify Patent Applicant Fee Reduction Eligibility
As reported by IPRlearn on March 30, 2026, China’s National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) is now cross-referencing income, tax payments, and other records when patent applicants apply for fee reductions based on income. Corporate and individual applicants are entitled to an 85% fee reduction when annual income is less than 1 million RMB (~$145 thousand) […]
CNIPA Warns Against Using AI Agents Including OpenClaw in Drafting Patent Application Documents
On March 31, 2026, China’s National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) issued a warning against using AI agents, such an OpenClaw, in drafting patent application documents (关于使用OpenClaw等智能体撰写专利申请文件的风险提示). Further, unauthorized use by patent agencies should be reported. CNIPA says using agents may lead to technical information leakage, substantial defects including AI hallucinations, and dishonest (bad faith) applications. […]
China’s State Administration for Market Regulation To Explore Extraterritorial Enforcement of Anti-Unfair Competition Laws
On March 30, 2026, China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) released the Notice on Further Implementing the Anti-Unfair Competition Law of the People’s Republic of China (市场监管总局关于进一步贯彻实施《中华人民共和国反不正当竞争法》的通知). The Anti-Unfair Competition Law is used to protect trade secrets and other unregistered intellectual property (e.g., marks, artificial intelligence models, etc.). SAMR provides administrative enforcement of laws […]