China's National Intellectual Property Administration (“CNIPA”) has recently issued a new enforcement directive identifying seven categories of illegal trademark use that will be subject to heightened administrative scrutiny....more
On 27 December 2025, the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress released the Draft Amendment to the Trademark Law of the PRC for public comment. Comments from stakeholders are due by 10 February 2026, and...more
1/20/2026
/ China ,
Comment Period ,
Intellectual Property Protection ,
Proposed Legislation ,
Regulatory Agenda ,
Regulatory Reform ,
Trademark Application ,
Trademark Cancellation ,
Trademark Opposition Proceedings ,
Trademark Registration ,
Trademarks
As the holiday season ushers in its busiest months, retailers and fashion brands are confronting a marketplace reshaped by rapid technological disruption, shifting regulatory expectations, and increasingly savvy consumers. AI...more
12/19/2025
/ Advertising ,
Artificial Intelligence ,
Brand ,
Copyright ,
Data Privacy ,
Data Protection ,
Environmental Social & Governance (ESG) ,
Fashion Industry ,
Greenwashing ,
Innovative Technology ,
Machine Learning ,
Marketing ,
Payment Systems ,
Privacy Laws ,
Regulatory Requirements ,
Retail ,
Retailers ,
Sustainability ,
Sustainable Business Practices ,
Third-Party Risk ,
Trademarks ,
Vendors
China’s third amendment to the Anti-Unfair Competition Law (AUCL) ), which takes effect today, October 15, 2025, marks an important shift in IP enforcement using the AUCL, especially in the digital space. ...more
The Hangzhou Internet Court recently found a Chinese AI platform liable for contributory copyright infringement, after the platform allowed users to create, apply and share models enabling the AI generation of variations on...more
CNIPA has recently significantly changed its approach to accepting non-use cancellation applications for registered trademarks, by requiring more comprehensive preliminary evidence. This means that applicants in such...more
The Guidelines’ clear and standardized method for calculating illegal business turnover, and the specific rules provided for a number of complex situations will make it easier and more transparent in practice for both brand...more
Amidst the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping, retailers are continuing to herald digital mediums to spread holiday cheer to shoppers worldwide.
The Hogan Lovells Retail and Fashion team is delighted to bring you our...more
The China National IP Administration (“CNIPA”) recently issued the "Specifications for Suspension of Trademark Review Cases" (“《评审案件中止情形规范》”, "Specifications"), in which it provides a set of rules for the suspension of...more
On 13 January 2023, the China National Intellectual Property Administration (“CNIPA”) published draft amendments to the PRC Trademark Law for public comment. This Draft marks the fifth time that the PRC Trademark Law is up...more
In a recent development, China’s National Intellectual Property Administration (“CNIPA”) appears to have become increasingly strict in assessing whether trademark applications fall foul of the absolute grounds for trademark...more
On 24 June 2022, China’s Supreme People’s Court (“SPC”) handed down its long-awaited retrial judgment in the MANOLO BLAHNIK trademark case. In this judgment, which was published online only a few days ago, the Supreme Court...more
Netherlands -
Proceedings on the merits in the Netherlands are continuing as normal as possible. This means that new cases can be filed and the exchange of written submissions continues as usual. Oral hearings are for the...more
The Hogan Lovells IP & Media Technology team is closely following the impact of COVID-19 on the operation of Courts around the world and what this means in practice for clients engaged in or contemplating litigation, with...more
Japan -
On 7 April 2020, the Japanese government declared a state of emergency in seven prefectures, due to the on-going COVID-19 pandemic. Subsequently, on 16 April 2020, the Japanese government declared a state of...more
4/27/2020
/ Administrative Hearings ,
Administrative Proceedings ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Deadlines ,
EU ,
INPI ,
Intellectual Property Litigation ,
Intellectual Property Protection ,
Japan ,
Judicial Proceedings ,
UK
China -
In February, during the peak of the COVID-19 epidemic in China, the Supreme People’s Court issued a statement that courts at all levels were to assist parties in litigation to file cases or mediate disputes online,...more
China -
In February, during the peak of the COVID-19 epidemic in China, the Supreme People’s Court issued a statement that courts at all levels were to assist parties in litigation to file cases or mediate disputes online,...more
EUIPO -
For those with European Union Trademarks (EUTMs), the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) in Alicante, Spain remains open although all staff are now working from home and it has extended all deadlines...more
3/23/2020
/ China ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ,
EU ,
European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) ,
Germany ,
Italy ,
Japan ,
Mexico ,
Spain ,
UK ,
USPTO ,
WIPO
EUIPO -
For those with European Union Trademarks (EUTMs), the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) in Alicante, Spain remains open although all staff are now working from home and it has extended all...more
3/16/2020
/ China ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
EPO ,
EU ,
European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) ,
European Union Trade Mark (EUTM) ,
Infectious Diseases ,
Intellectual Property Protection ,
Italy ,
Patents ,
Public Health ,
Trademarks ,
UK ,
USPTO
In March 2019, Chinese mobile phone manufacturer Xiaomi organized a mobile phone conference in the Netherlands, and it is expected that Xiaomi mobile phones will be listed on the Dutch market shortly after the summer of 2019....more
1/10/2020
/ China ,
Cross-Border ,
Distributors ,
Foreign Defendants ,
Foreign Entities ,
Foreign Jurisdictions ,
France ,
Germany ,
Injunctions ,
Intellectual Property Protection ,
International Litigation ,
Jurisdiction ,
Mobile Devices ,
Netherlands ,
Patent Infringement ,
Patent Litigation ,
Patents ,
Retail Market ,
Spain ,
Suppliers ,
Supply Chain ,
Wireless Devices ,
Wireless Industry ,
Wireless Technology
Consumer-facing companies are increasingly utilizing social media influencers to get their advertising to targeted audiences and to learn how their products are working for real people. This innovative form of advertising is...more
The Chinese Supreme People's Court ("SPC") recently handed down its latest judgment on whether Original Equipment Manufacturing ("OEM") may constitute trademark infringement in China. In its judgment, the SPC refines its...more
12/2/2019
/ Appeals ,
Automotive Industry ,
China ,
Corporate Counsel ,
Honda ,
Intellectual Property Protection ,
Manufacturers ,
Motor Vehicles ,
Myanmar ,
OEM ,
Supreme People's Court of China ,
Trademark Infringement ,
Trademark Litigation ,
Trademarks
On 11 October 2019, China's State Administration for Market Regulation ("SAMR") published the Regulations on the Registration of Trademarks, which will become effective on 1 December 2019. The Regulations are implementing...more
11/5/2019
/ Bad Faith ,
China ,
Corporate Counsel ,
Intellectual Property Protection ,
IP Portfolio ,
New Regulations ,
PRC Trademark Law Amendments ,
Regulatory Requirements ,
State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) ,
Trademark Application ,
Trademark Registration ,
Trademarks
On 23 April 2019, both China’s Trademark Law (“TML“) and its Anti-Unfair Competition Law (“AUCL“) were amended. The amendments to the TML are aimed at curbing bad faith trademarks and increasing damages for infringement,...more
5/7/2019
/ Amended Legislation ,
Anti-Competitive ,
Bad Faith ,
China ,
Competition ,
Infringement ,
Intellectual Property Protection ,
Trade Secrets ,
Trademark Infringement ,
Trademarks ,
Unfair Competition
In a recent move involving both the Chinese legislature (the National People’s Congress) and the executive branch (the State Council), China has overhauled two of its most important pieces of legislation governing inbound...more