China Unveils Nationwide Plan to Strengthen Intellectual Property Protection

Source:China Daily

A comprehensive series of initiatives aimed at combating piracy, curbing the malicious registration of trademarks, and addressing the improper application of patents is set to be launched nationwide this year. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to elevate China as a major force in intellectual property, according to a newly released plan.

The plan, unveiled by the office of the inter-ministerial joint conference for advancing national IP power construction on Saturday, outlines several targeted actions. Among these are operations to tackle online piracy and infringement, protect film copyrights in theaters, and safeguard youth copyrights by 2026.

The plan also emphasizes enhancing early warning systems for key works and optimizing copyright protection mechanisms for cultural and creative products.

Special enforcement actions will be undertaken to protect IP rights in emerging fields and the e-commerce sector, alongside measures to strengthen IP protection at customs.

The plan underscores the importance of cracking down on the malicious registration of trademarks, advocating for improved pre-review services and clearer guidance for patent applicants.

It also calls for establishing a long-term mechanism for IP commercialization, encouraging market players to leverage artificial intelligence to foster patent development.

Additionally, China aims to refine its legal framework in the IP sector by revising the Trademark Law and various regulations, including those related to the protection of IP rights for traditional Chinese medicines, new plant varieties, and works registration.

Authorities such as the Supreme People's Court, the China National Intellectual Property Administration, and the Cyberspace Administration of China are encouraged to explore drafting IP protection rules for emerging sectors like big data, AI, and blockchain.

The plan also highlights China's commitment to deepening its involvement in international IP governance, with a focus on training patent lawyers to handle foreign-related IP disputes more effectively.