On April 10, 2026, China released its annual IP enforcement work plan. The plan focuses on making IP protection faster and stronger, with several key points of interest for foreign businesses.
Trademark Crackdown
China is moving to amend its Trademark Law to fight bad‑faith filings and trademark hoarding. This is good news for brand owners who have long struggled with squatters.
SEP Dispute Rules
New administrative rulings for standard essential patent (SEP) disputes are being developed. This could offer a faster and cheaper alternative to court litigation for companies in telecom, automotive, and IoT sectors.
Patent Dispute Help
A three‑level administrative ruling system (national, provincial, and city) will be strengthened to help resolve patent disputes more quickly.
Cross‑Border Support
China will step up assistance for companies facing overseas IP risks, including Section 337 investigations, cross‑border e‑commerce lawsuits, and foreign trademark squatting.
Tech Focus
Faster patent examination will be available for emerging fields like artificial intelligence and other strategic technologies.
In short, China is pushing for more efficient and effective IP enforcement, with special attention to emerging industries and cross‑border disputes. This offers foreign businesses a more predictable and supportive environment to protect their innovations and brands in China.
