Note: There is currently no official English translation of the revised Trademark Law. The revised Law will take effect on January 1, 2027.
The revised Trademark Law introduces substantial changes to China’s trademark system, including:
· recognition of trademark use through the Internet and other information networks;
· cross-class protection for unregistered well-known trademarks;
· administrative penalties for bad-faith trademark applications;
· statutory termination rights in trademark licensing;
· enhanced regulation of trademark agencies and practitioners;
· greater flexibility in calculating damages;
· clarification of nominative use; and
· stronger measures against malicious trademark litigation.
Below is a side-by-side comparison of the 23 key amendments introduced by the revised Law.
1. Trademark Use through the Internet and Other Information Networks
| 2019 Trademark Law | Revised Trademark Law |
| Article 48 For the purposes of this Law, the use of a trademark refers to the use of a trademark on goods, the packaging or containers of goods, commercial transaction documents, or in advertisements, exhibitions, and other commercial activities for the purpose of identifying the source of goods. 第四十八条 本法所称商标的使用，是指将商标用于商品、商品包装或者容器以及商品交易文书上，或者将商标用于广告宣传、展览以及其他商业活动中，用于识别商品来源的行为。 | Article 2 For the purposes of this Law, a trademark means a sign used to identify and distinguish the source of goods or services, including trademarks for goods and service marks. Unless otherwise provided, the provisions of this Law relating to trademarks for goods shall apply to service marks. For the purposes of this Law, the use of a trademark refers to the use of a trademark on goods, the packaging or containers of goods, commercial transaction documents, or in advertisements, exhibitions, and other commercial activities for the purpose of identifying and distinguishing the source of goods. Trademark use also includes use through the Internet and other information networks. 第二条本法所称商标，是指用以识别和区分商品或者服务来源的标志，包括商品商标和服务商标。本法有关商品商标的规定，适用于服务商标。 本法所称商标的使用，是指将商标用于商品、商品包装或者容器以及商品交易文书上，或者将商标用于广告宣传、展览以及其他商业活动中，用于识别和区分商品来源的行为。 前款所称商标的使用，包括通过互联网等信息网络实施的使用行为。 |
Comments: The revised law expressly recognizes trademark use through the Internet and other information networks, which is likely to have practical implications for evidence in non-use cancellation proceedings. It will also be interesting to see whether online use may, in certain circumstances, overcome the territorial limitations of trademark use.
2. Prohibition of Abuse of Trademark Rights
| 2019 Trademark Law | Revised Trademark Law |
| Article 7 In the application for registration or use of a trademark, the principle of good faith shall be followed. The user of a trademark shall be responsible for the quality of the goods on which the trademark is used. The administrative departments for industry and commerce at all levels shall, through trademark administration, prevent and curb conduct that deceives consumers. 第七条 申请注册和使用商标，应当遵循诚实信用原则。 商标使用人应当对其使用商标的商品质量负责。各级工商行政管理部门应当通过商标管理，制止欺骗消费者的行为。 | Article 9 The registration and use of trademarks shall adhere to the principle of good faith and shall not constitute an abuse of trademark rights that harms the national interest, the public interest of society, or the lawful rights and interests of others. A trademark user shall be responsible for the quality of the goods on which the trademark is used. Trademark administration authorities at all levels, as well as departments responsible for trademark enforcement, shall strengthen trademark administration and enforcement in accordance with the law to prevent and curb conduct that deceives consumers. 第九条 申请注册和使用商标，应当遵循诚信原则，不得滥用权利损害国家利益、社会公共利益或者他人合法权益。 商标使用人应当对其使用商标的商品质量负责。各级负责商标管理工作、商标执法的部门应当依法加强商标管理和执法，制止欺骗消费者的行为。 |
Comments: The revised law expressly prohibits the abuse of trademark rights. The amendment reflects the growing judicial and administrative efforts to curb bad-faith trademark registrations and abusive enforcement practices. Future judicial decisions will further clarify the scope and application of this new principle.
3. Expanded Eligibility for Trademark Applicants
| 2019 Trademark Law | Revised Trademark Law |
| Article 17 Where a foreign national or a foreign enterprise applies for trademark registration in China, it shall be handled in accordance with an agreement concluded between the applicant’s country and the People’s Republic of China or an international treaty acceded to by both countries or according to the principle of reciprocity. 第十七条 外国人或者外国企业在中国申请商标注册的，应当按其所属国和中华人民共和国签订的协议或者共同参加的国际条约办理，或者按对等原则办理。 | Article 11 Where a foreign national, a foreign enterprise or other foreign organization applies for trademark registration in China, it shall be handled in accordance with an agreement concluded between the applicant’s country and the People’s Republic of China or an international treaty acceded to by both countries or according to the principle of reciprocity. 第十一条 外国人、外国企业或者外国其他组织在中国申请商标注册的，应当按其所属国和中华人民共和国签订的协议或者共同参加的国际条约办理，或者按对等原则办理。 |
Comments: The revised law explicitly includes “other foreign organizations” as eligible applicants, which is consistent with current practice.
4. Inclusion of Dynamic Signs
| 2019 Trademark Law | Revised Trademark Law |
| Article 8 Any sign capable of distinguishing the goods of a natural person, a legal person, or any other organization, including words, designs, letters, numerals, three-dimensional signs, combinations of colors, sound or any combination thereof, may serve as a trademark for registration application. 第八条 任何能够将自然人、法人或者其他组织的商品与他人的商品区别开的标志，包括文字、图形、字母、数字、三维标志、颜色组合和声音等，以及上述要素的组合，均可以作为商标申请注册。 | Article 14 Any sign capable of distinguishing the goods of a natural person, a legal person, or any other unincorporated organization, including words, designs, letters, numerals, three-dimensional signs, combinations of colors, sound, and dynamic signs, as well as a combination of the above, may serve as a trademark for registration application. 第十四条 任何能够将自然人、法人或者非法人组织的商品与他人的商品区别开的标志，包括文字、图形、字母、数字、三维标志、颜色组合、声音、动态标志等，以及上述要素的组合，均可以作为商标申请注册。 |
Comments: The revised law expressly recognizes dynamic signs as registrable trademarks. Brand owners using animated logos or other dynamic branding may wish to consider preparing and filing applications for dynamic trademarks in China.
5. Symbolic Elements of the Communist Party of China
| 2019 Trademark Law | Revised Trademark Law |
| Article 10 The following signs shall not be used as trademarks: (1) Signs that are identical or similar to the name, national flag, national emblem, national anthem, military flag, military emblem, military anthem, medals, etc. of the People’s Republic of China, or identical to the names, symbols, names of specific locations, or names or designs of landmark buildings of the central state authorities; (2) Signs that are identical or similar to the names, national flags, national emblems, or military flags of foreign countries, unless consent has been obtained from the government of the relevant country; (3) Signs that are identical or similar to the names, flags, or emblems of intergovernmental international organizations, unless consent has been obtained from the relevant organization or the use is unlikely to mislead the public; (4) Signs that are identical or similar to official signs or inspection marks indicating control or certification, unless authorized; (5) Signs that are identical or similar to the names or emblems of the Red Cross or the Red Crescent; (6) Signs containing ethnic discrimination; (7) Signs that are deceptive and are likely to mislead the public as to the quality or other characteristics, or the place of origin, of the goods; (8) Signs that are detrimental to socialist morals or customs, or that have other adverse effects. 第十条 下列标志不得作为商标使用： （一）同中华人民共和国的国家名称、国旗、国徽、国歌、军旗、军徽、军歌、勋章等相同或者近似的，以及同中央国家机关的名称、标志、所在地特定地点的名称或者标志性建筑物的名称、图形相同的； （二）同外国的国家名称、国旗、国徽、军旗等相同或者近似的，但经该国政府同意的除外； （三）同政府间国际组织的名称、旗帜、徽记等相同或者近似的，但经该组织同意或者不易误导公众的除外； （四）与表明实施控制、予以保证的官方标志、检验印记相同或者近似的，但经授权的除外； （五）同“红十字”、“红新月”的名称、标志相同或者近似的； （六）带有民族歧视性的； （七）带有欺骗性，容易使公众对商品的质量等特点或者产地产生误认的； （八）有害于社会主义道德风尚或者有其他不良影响的。 | Article 15 The following signs shall not be registered or used as trademarks: (1) Signs that are identical or similar to the name, Party flag, Party emblem, medals, major theoretical achievements, or symbolic elements relating to important historical events of the Communist Party of China; (2) Signs that are identical or similar to the name, national flag, national emblem, national anthem, military flag, military emblem, military anthem, medals, etc. of the People’s Republic of China, or identical to the names, symbols, names of specific locations, or names or designs of landmark buildings of the central and state authorities; (3) Signs that are identical or similar to the names, national flags, national emblems, or military flags of foreign countries, unless consent has been obtained from the government of the relevant country; (4) Signs that are identical or similar to the names, flags, or emblems of intergovernmental international organizations, unless consent has been obtained from the relevant organization or the use is unlikely to mislead the public; (5) Signs that are identical or similar to official signs or inspection marks indicating control or certification, unless authorized; (6) Signs that are identical or similar to the names or emblems of the Red Cross or the Red Crescent; (7) Signs containing ethnic discrimination; (8) Signs that are deceptive and are likely to mislead the public as to the quality, manufacturing process, raw materials, or place of origin of the goods; (9) Signs that are contrary to public order or good morals, or that have other adverse effects. 第十五条 下列标志不得作为商标注册和使用： （一）同中国共产党的名称、党旗、党徽、勋章或者重要理论成就、历史事件相关的标志性要素等相同或者近似的； （二）同中华人民共和国的国家名称、国旗、国徽、国歌、军旗、军徽、军歌、勋章等相同或者近似的，以及同中央和国家机关的名称、标志、所在地特定地点的名称或者标志性建筑物的名称、图形相同的； （三）同外国的国家名称、国旗、国徽、军旗等相同或者近似的，但经该国政府同意的除外； （四）同政府间国际组织的名称、旗帜、徽记等相同或者近似的，但经该组织同意或者不易误导公众的除外； （五）与表明实施控制、予以保证的官方标志、检验印记相同或者近似的，但经授权的除外； （六）同“红十字”、“红新月”的名称、标志相同或者近似的； （七）带有民族歧视性的； （八）带有欺骗性，容易使公众对商品的质量、工艺、原料等特点或者产地产生误认的； （九）违背公序良俗或者有其他不良影响的。 |
Comments: The revised law expands the list of prohibited signs by expressly including symbolic elements relating to the Communist Party of China. Brand owners should take this amendment into account when conducting trademark clearance and selecting new brands for the Chinese market.
6. Consolidation of Bad Faith Filing Rules
| 2019 Trademark Law | Revised Trademark Law |
| Article 4 (1) Any natural person, legal person, or other organization needing to acquire the right to exclusively use a trademark on the goods or services thereof in the course of business operations shall apply to the Trademark Office for trademark registration. A bad faith application for trademark registration for a purpose other than use shall not be approved for registration. 第四条第一款 自然人、法人或者其他组织在生产经营活动中，对其商品或者服务需要取得商标专用权的，应当向商标局申请商标注册。不以使用为目的的恶意商标注册申请，应当予以驳回。 | Article 19 Where an application for trademark registration is filed without the intention to use the mark, and the scope of the application clearly exceeds the normal needs of production and business operations, such application shall not be approved for registration. No trademark registration application shall, in any event, be filed by means of fraud or any other improper means. 第十九条 不以使用为目的，且明显超出正常生产经营需要申请商标注册的，不予注册。 不得以欺骗或者其他不正当手段申请商标注册。 |
| Article 44 (1) Where a registered trademark violates Article 4, Article 10, Article 11, Article 12, or paragraph 4 of Article 19 of this Law, or its registration was acquired by fraud or any other illicit means, the Trademark Office shall declare invalidation of the registered trademark; and any other organization or individual may petition the Trademark Review and Adjudication Board to declare invalidation of the registered trademark. 第四十四条第一款 已经注册的商标，违反本法第四条、第十条、第十一条、第十二条、第十九条第四款规定的，或者是以欺骗手段或者其他不正当手段取得注册的，由商标局宣告该注册商标无效；其他单位或者个人可以请求商标评审委员会宣告该注册商标无效。 |
Comments: The revised law consolidates the bad-faith filing rules into a single standard. Under the new provision, a trademark application will be refused where it is filed without a genuine intention to use and its scope clearly exceeds the normal needs of production and business operations. How this new standard will be applied, particularly to defensive filings, will be closely watched in practice.
7. Cross-Class Protection for Unregistered Well-Known Marks
| 2019 Trademark Law | Revised Trademark Law |
| Article 13 (2) (3) Where a trademark for registration to be used on identical or similar goods is a copy, imitation, or translation of a well-known trademark of another party which has not been registered in China and may easily cause confusion, it shall not be registered and shall be prohibited from use. Where a trademark for registration to be used on different or dissimilar goods is a copy, imitation, or translation of a well-known trademark of another party 第十三条第二款、第三款 就相同或者类似商品申请注册的商标是复制、摹仿或者翻译他人未在中国注册的驰名商标，容易导致混淆的，不予注册并禁止使用。 就不相同或者不相类似商品申请注册的商标是复制、摹仿或者翻译他人 | Article 21 Where a trademark for registration to be used on identical or similar goods is a copy, imitation, or translation of a well-known trademark of another party which has not been registered in China and may easily cause confusion, it shall not be registered and shall be prohibited from use. Where a trademark for registration to be used on different or dissimilar goods is a copy, imitation, or translation of a well-known trademark of another party, misleads the public, and may cause damage to the interests of the holder of the well-known trademark, it shall not be registered and shall be prohibited from use. 第二十一条 就相同或者类似商品申请注册的商标是复制、摹仿或者翻译他人未在中国注册的驰名商标，容易导致混淆的，不予注册并禁止使用。 就不相同或者不相类似商品申请注册的商标是复制、摹仿或者翻译他人的驰名商标，误导公众，致使该驰名商标持有人的利益可能受到损害的，不予注册并禁止使用。 |
Comments: The revised law extends cross-class protection to unregistered well-known trademarks. This may significantly enhance the protection available to overseas brands that have established a strong reputation in China without obtaining trademark registrations.
8. Shortened Opposition Period
| 2019 Trademark Law | Revised Trademark Law |
| Article 36 Where, upon expiry of the statutory time limit, the party concerned fails to apply for a review of a decision of the Trademark Office to reject a trademark registration application or deny registration or fails to institute an action in a people’s court against a decision of the Trademark Review and Adjudication Board upon review, the decision to reject a trademark registration application or deny registration or the decision upon review shall take effect. Where trademark registration is approved after all oppositions are determined as unfounded upon examination, the time of the applicant obtaining the right to exclusively use the trademark commences from the date of expiry of the three-month preliminary approval publication period. The right to exclusively use the trademark is not retrospective to another party’s use of a mark identical with or similar to the trademark on identical or similar goods during the period from the date of expiry of the publication period to the date of decision to approve registration; however, such other party shall compensate the trademark registrant for any losses caused by its use in bad faith. 第三十六条 法定期限届满，当事人对商标局做出的驳回申请决定、不予注册决定不申请复审或者对商标评审委员会做出的复审决定不向人民法院起诉的，驳回申请决定、不予注册决定或者复审决定生效。 经审查异议不成立而准予注册的商标，商标注册申请人取得商标专用权的时间自初步审定公告三个月期满之日起计算。自该商标公告期满之日起至准予注册决定做出前，对他人在同一种或者类似商品上使用与该商标相同或者近似的标志的行为不具有追溯力；但是，因该使用人的恶意给商标注册人造成的损失，应当给予赔偿。 | Article 39 Where, upon expiry of the statutory time limit, the party concerned fails to apply for a review of a decision of the Trademark Administration Authority of the State Council to reject a trademark registration application or deny registration or fails to institute an action in a people’s court against the review decision, the decision to reject a trademark registration application or deny registration or the decision upon review shall take effect. Where trademark registration is approved after all oppositions are determined as unfounded upon examination, the time of the applicant obtaining the right to exclusively use the trademark commences from the date of expiry of the two-month preliminary approval publication period. The right to exclusively use the trademark is not retrospective to another party’s use of a mark identical with or similar to the trademark on identical or similar goods during the period from the date of expiry of the publication period to the date of decision to approve registration; however, such other party shall compensate the trademark registrant for any losses caused by its use in bad faith. 第三十九条 法定期限届满，当事人对国务院商标管理部门作出的驳回申请决定、不予注册决定不申请复审，或者对复审决定不向人民法院起诉的，驳回申请决定、不予注册决定或者复审决定生效。 经审查异议不成立而准予注册的商标，商标注册申请人取得注册商标专用权的时间自初步审定公告二个月期满之日起计算。自该商标公告期满之日起至准予注册决定作出前，对他人在同一种或者类似商品上使用与该商标相同或者近似的标志的行为不具有追溯力；但是，因该使用人的恶意给商标注册人造成的损失，应当给予赔偿。 |
Comments: The revised law shortens the opposition period from three months to two months, reflecting an effort to accelerate the trademark registration process. Brand owners will therefore need to monitor newly published trademark applications more closely and act more quickly when filing oppositions.
9. Narrowing of the One-Year Waiting Period
| 2019 Trademark Law | Revised Trademark Law |
| Article 50 Where a registered trademark has been revoked, declared invalid, or expires without renewal, the Trademark Office shall not approve, within one year from the date of revocation, invalidation, or cancellation, any application for registration of a trademark that is identical with or similar to the said trademark. 第五十条 注册商标被撤销、被宣告无效或者期满不再续展的，自撤销、宣告无效或者注销之日起一年内，商标局对与该商标相同或者近似的商标注册申请，不予核准。 | Article 49 Where a trademark registrant voluntarily applies for the cancellation of its registered trademark, the Trademark Administration Authority of the State Council shall not approve, within one year from the date of publication of the cancellation, any application by another party to register an identical or similar trademark for the same or similar goods. 第四十九条 商标注册人申请注销其注册商标的，自注销公告之日起一年内，国务院商标管理部门对他人在同一种或者类似商品上与该商标相同或者近似的商标注册申请，不予核准。 |
Comments: The revised law limits the one-year waiting period to voluntarily cancelled trademarks. As a result, applicants will no longer need to wait for one year before filing identical or similar trademark applications where the prior registration has been revoked, declared invalid, or has expired without renewal.
10. Administrative Penalties for Bad-Faith Applications
| 2019 Trademark Law | Revised Trademark Law |
| Article 68 (4) Bad-faith trademark registration applications shall be subject to administrative penalties, including warnings and fines, depending on the circumstances. Malicious trademark litigation shall be sanctioned by the People’s Court in accordance with the law. 第六十八条第四款 对恶意申请商标注册的，根据情节给予警告、罚款等行政处罚；对恶意提起商标诉讼的，由人民法院依法给予处罚。 | Article 54 Where a trademark applicant engages in any of the following bad-faith trademark registration applications and causes adverse social impact, the department responsible for trademark enforcement shall issue a warning and may impose a fine of up to RMB 100,000: (1) knowingly applying for trademark registration of a sign in violation of Article 15 or Article 16(1) of this Law; (2) applying for trademark registration in violation of Article 18 of this Law; (3) intentionally applying for trademark registration in violation of Articles 20, 21, or 23 of this Law. 第五十四条 商标注册申请人存在下列恶意申请商标注册行为之一，造成不良影响的，由负责商标执法的部门给予警告，可以并处十万元以下的罚款： （一）明知标志违反本法第十五条、第十六条第一款规定仍作为商标申请注册； （二）违反本法第十九条规定申请商标注册； （三）故意违反本法第二十一条、第二十二条、第二十四条规定申请商标注册。 |
Comments: The revised Law further refines the administrative penalty regime for bad-faith trademark applications by specifying the circumstances under which such penalties may be imposed. Where a bad-faith application causes adverse social impact, the applicant may be subject to a warning and a fine of up to RMB 100,000.
11. Licensor’s Right to Terminate Trademark License Agreements
| 2019 Trademark Law | Revised Trademark Law |
| Article 43 A trademark registrant may, by entering into a trademark licensing contract, license another party to use its registered trademark. The licensor shall supervise the quality of the goods on which the licensee uses the licensor’s registered trademark. The licensee shall guarantee the quality of the goods on which the registered trademark is used. In the licensed use of another party’s registered trademark, the name of licensee and the origin of goods must be indicated on the goods on which the registered trademark is used. Where another party is licensed to use a registered trademark, the licensor shall report the license to the Trademark Office for recordation, and the Trademark Office shall publish it. An unrecorded license may not be used as a defense against a third party in good faith. 第四十三条 商标注册人可以通过签订商标使用许可合同，许可他人使用其注册商标。许可人应当监督被许可人使用其注册商标的商品质量。被许可人应当保证使用该注册商标的商品质量。 经许可使用他人注册商标的，必须在使用该注册商标的商品上标明被许可人的名称和商品产地。 许可他人使用其注册商标的，许可人应当将其商标使用许可报商标局备案，由商标局公告。商标使用许可未经备案不得对抗善意第三人。 | Article 55 A trademark registrant may use its registered trademark itself or license others to use the registered trademark by entering into a trademark license agreement. The licensor shall supervise the quality of the goods bearing the licensed trademark. The licensee shall ensure the quality of the goods bearing the registered trademark. Where the licensee fails to fulfill its quality assurance obligations, the licensor may terminate the trademark license agreement. In the licensed use of another party’s registered trademark, the name of licensee and the origin of goods must be indicated on the goods on which the registered trademark is used. Where another party is licensed to use a registered trademark, the licensor shall report the license to the Trademark Administration Authority of the State Council for recordation, and the Trademark Administration Authority of the State Council shall publish it. An unrecorded license may not be used as a defense against a third party in good faith. 第五十五条 商标注册人可以自己使用商标，也可以通过签订商标使用许可合同，许可他人使用其注册商标。许可人应当监督被许可人使用其注册商标的商品质量。被许可人应当保证使用该注册商标的商品质量。被许可人不履行质量保证义务的，许可人有权解除商标使用许可合同。 经许可使用他人注册商标的，必须在使用该注册商标的商品上标明被许可人的名称和商品产地。 许可他人使用其注册商标的，许可人应当将其商标使用许可报国务院商标管理部门备案，由国务院商标管理部门公告。商标使用许可未经备案不得对抗善意第三人。 |
Comments: The revised law expressly grants the licensor the right to terminate a trademark license agreement if the licensee fails to meet its quality assurance obligations.
12. Administrative Penalties for Misleading Use of Registered Trademarks
| 2019 Trademark Law | Revised Trademark Law |
| Article 56 Where a registered trademark is used in a manner that misleads the public, the department responsible for trademark enforcement shall order the trademark registrant to make corrections within a prescribed time limit. Where the illegal business turnover exceeds RMB 50,000, a fine of up to five times the illegal business turnover may be imposed. Where there is no illegal business turnover or the illegal business turnover is less than RMB 50,000, a fine of up to RMB 250,000 may be imposed. If the trademark registrant fails to make corrections within the prescribed time limit, the Trademark Administration Authority of the State Council shall cancel the registered trademark. 第五十六条 以误导公众的方式使用注册商标的，由负责商标执法的部门责令限期改正，违法经营额五万元以上的，可以处违法经营额五倍以下的罚款；没有违法经营额或者违法经营额不足五万元的，可以处二十五万元以下的罚款。逾期不改正的，由国务院商标管理部门撤销其注册商标。 |
Comments: The revised law introduces administrative penalties for the misleading use of registered trademarks. In addition to fines, failure to rectify the violation may result in cancellation of the registered trademark. Brand owners may wish to review how their trademarks are used in practice to ensure that their branding and marketing activities do not create misleading impressions.
13. Administrative Penalties for Improper Management of Collective and Certification Marks
| 2019 Trademark Law | Revised Trademark Law |
| Article 60 Where the registrant of a collective mark or certification mark commits any of the following acts, the department responsible for trademark enforcement shall order it to make corrections within a prescribed time limit. Failure to do so may result in a fine of up to RMB 10,000, and, where the circumstances are serious, a fine ranging from RMB 10,000 to RMB 100,000 may be imposed: (1) failing to perform its trademark management responsibilities, thereby causing harm to consumers; (2) without justified reasons, refusing to permit members of the organization to use a registered collective mark, or refusing to authorize a qualified applicant to use a registered certification mark; (3) exercising the exclusive right to use the registered trademark in violation of this Law, relevant administrative regulations, or applicable state provisions, thereby causing adverse effects. 第六十条 集体商标、证明商标注册人有下列行为之一的，由负责商标执法的部门责令限期改正；逾期不改正的，处一万元以下的罚款；情节严重的，处一万元以上十万元以下的罚款： （一）怠于行使商标管理职责，对消费者造成损害； （二）集体商标注册人无正当理由不准许其组织成员使用集体商标或者证明商标注册人无正当理由不许可符合条件的申请人使用证明商标； （三）违反本法、有关行政法规和国家有关规定行使注册商标专用权，造成不良影响。 |
Comments: The revised law introduces administrative penalties for registrants of collective and certification marks that fail to properly perform their management responsibilities. Organizations owning these special types of trademarks should review their internal management and licensing practices to ensure compliance.
14. Expanded Recognition of Well-Known Trademarks
| 2019 Trademark Law | Revised Trademark Law |
| Article 13 (1) The holder of a trademark well known by the relevant public may file a request for well-known trademark protection under this Law if believing that there is any infringement upon its rights. 第十三条第一款 为相关公众所熟知的商标，持有人认为其权利受到侵害时，可以依照本法规定请求驰名商标保护。 | Article 63 The holder of a trademark well known by the relevant public may file a request for well-known trademark protection under this Law if believing that there is any infringement upon its rights. In the course of trademark registration examination and adjudication, investigation and handling of trademark violations, or investigation and handling of unfair competition cases, where a party lawfully asserts its rights, the Trademark Administration Authority of the State Council may, as necessary for case disposition, determine the well-known status of a trademark. In the course of adjudicating trademark civil or administrative cases or unfair competition cases, where a party lawfully asserts its rights, a People’s Court designated by the Supreme People’s Court may, as necessary for case adjudication, determine the well-known status of a trademark. Whether a trademark is a well-known trademark shall be determined upon request of a party as a fact to be found in the handling of a trademark case. The following factors shall be taken into account in the determination of a well-known trademark: (1)Reputation of the trademark to the relevant public; (2)Duration, extent, and geographical area of use of the trademark; (3) Duration, extent, and geographical area of any publicity of the trademark; (4) Records of protection of the trademark, particularly records of protection as a well-known trademark; (5) Other factors relevant to the determination of a well-known trademark. 第六十三条 为相关公众所熟知的商标，持有人认为其权利受到侵害时，可以依照本法规定请求驰名商标保护。 在商标注册审查审理、查处商标违法案件或者查处不正当竞争案件过程中，当事人依法主张权利的，国务院商标管理部门根据处理案件的需要，可以对商标驰名情况作出确认。 在商标民事案件、商标行政案件或者不正当竞争案件审理过程中，当事人依法主张权利的，最高人民法院指定的人民法院根据审理案件的需要，可以对商标驰名情况作出确认。 商标驰名情况应当根据当事人的请求，作为处理涉及商标案件需要认定的事实进行确认。确认商标驰名情况应当综合考虑下列因素： （一）相关公众对该商标的知晓程度； （二）该商标使用的持续时间、方式和地域范围 （三）该商标的任何宣传工作的持续时间、程度和地域范围； （四）该商标受保护的记录，特别是作为驰名商标受保护的记录； （五）该商标驰名的其他因素。 |
| Article 14 (1-4) Whether a trademark is a well-known trademark shall be determined upon request of a party as a fact to be found in the handling of a trademark case. The following factors shall be taken into account in the determination of a well-known trademark: (1) Reputation of the trademark to the relevant public; (2) Duration of the use of the trademark; (3) Duration, extent, and geographical area of any publicity of the trademark; (4) Records of protection of the trademark as a well-known trademark; (5) Other factors relevant to the determination of a well-known trademark. Where a party files a claim under Article 13 of this Law in the process of trademark registration examination or in the process of investigation of a trademark violation case by the administrative department for industry and commerce, the Trademark Office may determine whether the trademark is a well-known trademark if it is necessary for examination or handling the case. Where a party files a claim under Article 13 of this Law in the process of resolution of a trademark dispute, the Trademark Review and Adjudication Board may determine whether the trademark is a well-known trademark if it is necessary for handling the case.Where a party files a claim under Article 13 of this Law in the trial of a civil or administrative case involving trademark, the people’s court designated by the Supreme People’s Court may determine whether the trademark is a well-known trademark if it is necessary for trying the case. 第十四条 驰名商标应当根据当事人的请求，作为处理涉及商标案件需要认定的事实进行认定。认定驰名商标应当考虑下列因素： （一）相关公众对该商标的知晓程度； （二）该商标使用的持续时间； （三）该商标的任何宣传工作的持续时间、程度和地理范围； （四）该商标作为驰名商标受保护的记录； （五）该商标驰名的其他因素。 在商标注册审查、工商行政管理部门查处商标违法案件过程中，当事人依照本法第十三条规定主张权利的，商标局根据审查、处理案件的需要，可以对商标驰名情况作出认定。 在商标争议处理过程中，当事人依照本法第十三条规定主张权利的，商标评审委员会根据处理案件的需要，可以对商标驰名情况作出认定。 在商标民事、行政案件审理过程中，当事人依照本法第十三条规定主张权利的，最高人民法院指定的人民法院根据审理案件的需要，可以对商标驰名情况作出认定。 |
Comments: The revised law expressly allows well-known trademark recognition in unfair competition cases. This gives brand owners greater flexibility in choosing the legal basis for seeking well-known trademark recognition and may strengthen trademark protection in unfair competition disputes.
15. Enhanced Regulation of Trademark Agencies
| 2019 Trademark Law | Revised Trademark Law |
| Article 68 Where a trademark agency commits any of the following acts, the administrative department for industry and commerce shall order it to make corrections within a prescribed time limit, issue a warning, and impose a fine of not less than RMB 10,000 but not more than RMB 100,000. The persons directly in charge and other directly responsible personnel shall be given a warning and fined not less than RMB 5,000 but not more than RMB 50,000. Where the conduct constitutes a crime, criminal liability shall be pursued in accordance with the law: (1) forging, altering, or using forged or altered legal documents, seals, or signatures in the course of handling trademark matters; (2) soliciting trademark agency business by disparaging other trademark agencies or by other improper means that disrupt the trademark agency market; (3) violating Article 4 or paragraphs 3 or 4 of Article 19 of this Law. Where a trademark agency commits any of the foregoing acts, the administrative department for industry and commerce shall record the violation in its credit record. Where the circumstances are serious, the Trademark Office or the Trademark Review and Adjudication Board may suspend the acceptance of trademark matters handled by the agency and make a public announcement. A trademark agency that, in violation of the principle of good faith, infringes the lawful rights and interests of its client shall bear civil liability in accordance with the law, and the trademark agency association shall impose disciplinary measures in accordance with its articles of association. Bad-faith trademark registration applications shall be subject to administrative penalties, including warnings and fines, depending on the circumstances. Bad-faith trademark litigation shall be sanctioned by the People’s Court in accordance with the law. 第六十八条 商标代理机构有下列行为之一的，由工商行政管理部门责令限期改正，给予警告，处一万元以上十万元以下的罚款；对直接负责的主管人员和其他直接责任人员给予警告，处五千元以上五万元以下的罚款；构成犯罪的，依法追究刑事责任： （一）办理商标事宜过程中，伪造、变造或者使用伪造、变造的法律文件、印章、签名的； （二）以诋毁其他商标代理机构等手段招徕商标代理业务或者以其他不正当手段扰乱商标代理市场秩序的； （三）违反本法第四条、第十九条第三款和第四款规定的。 商标代理机构有前款规定行为的，由工商行政管理部门记入信用档案；情节严重的，商标局、商标评审委员会并可以决定停止受理其办理商标代理业务，予以公告。 商标代理机构违反诚实信用原则，侵害委托人合法利益的，应当依法承担民事责任，并由商标代理行业组织按照章程规定予以惩戒。 对恶意申请商标注册的，根据情节给予警告、罚款等行政处罚；对恶意提起商标诉讼的，由人民法院依法给予处罚。 | Article 67 Where a trademark agency commits any of the following acts, the department responsible for trademark enforcement shall order it to make corrections within a prescribed time limit and impose a fine of not less than RMB 10,000 but not more than RMB 100,000. Where the circumstances are serious, a fine of not less than RMB 100,000 but not more than RMB 200,000 may be imposed. The persons directly in charge and other directly responsible personnel shall be given a warning and fined not less than RMB 5,000 but not more than RMB 50,000. Where the circumstances are serious, an additional fine of not less than RMB 50,000 but not more than RMB 100,000 may be imposed: (1) forging, altering, or using forged or altered legal documents, seals, or signatures in the course of handling trademark matters; (2) soliciting trademark agency business through fraud, deception, disparagement of other trademark agencies, or other improper means; (3) accepting instructions from both parties in the same trademark matter where a conflict of interest exists; (4) accepting an engagement despite knowing, or where it should have known, that the entrusted trademark application falls within the circumstances specified in Articles 15, 16(1), 19, 21, 22, or 24 of this Law; (5) violating Article 25 or engaging in any conduct specified in Article 54 of this Law; (6) disrupting the trademark agency market order by other improper means. Where the circumstances are serious, the Trademark Administration Authority of the State Council may suspend the acceptance of trademark matters handled by the agency and make a public announcement. Where a trademark agency fails to complete the required filing, the department responsible for trademark enforcement shall order it to make corrections within a prescribed time limit. Failure to do so may result in a fine of not less than RMB 10,000 but not more than RMB 50,000. A trademark agency that violates the principle of good faith, fails to perform its duty of care, and thereby infringes the lawful rights and interests of its client shall bear civil liability in accordance with the law. The trademark agency association shall impose disciplinary measures in accordance with its articles of association. 第六十七条 商标代理机构有下列行为之一的，由负责商标执法的部门责令限期改正，处一万元以上十万元以下的罚款；情节严重的，处十万元以上二十万元以下的罚款；对直接负责的主管人员和其他直接责任人员给予警告，并处五千元以上五万元以下的罚款，情节严重的，并处五万元以上十万元以下的罚款： （一）办理商标事宜过程中，伪造、变造或者使用伪造、变造的法律文件、印章、签名； （二）以欺诈、诱骗或者诋毁其他商标代理机构等手段招徕商标代理业务； （三）在同一商标案件中接受有利益冲突的双方当事人委托； （四）知道或者应当知道委托人申请注册的商标属于本法第十五条、第十六条第一款、第十九条、第二十一条、第二十二条、第二十四条规定情形，仍接受其委托； （五）违反本法第二十五条规定或者有本法第五十四条规定情形； （六）以其他不正当手段扰乱商标代理市场秩序。 商标代理机构有前款规定的行为，情节严重的，国务院商标管理部门可以决定停止受理其办理商标代理业务，予以公告。 商标代理机构未依法备案的，由负责商标执法的部门责令限期改正；逾期不改正的，处一万元以上五万元以下的罚款。 商标代理机构违反诚信原则，未履行勤勉尽责义务，侵害委托人合法利益的，应当依法承担民事责任，并由商标代理行业组织按照章程规定予以惩戒。 |
Comments: The revised law strengthens the regulation of trademark agencies by expanding prohibited conduct and increasing administrative penalties. Trademark agencies will need to conduct more thorough compliance reviews before accepting trademark filings. How these new obligations will be enforced in practice remains to be seen.
16. Administrative Penalties for Trademark Practitioners
| 2019 Trademark Law | Revised Trademark Law |
| Article 68 Where a trademark practitioner commits any of the following acts, the department responsible for trademark enforcement shall order the practitioner to make corrections within a prescribed time limit, issue a warning, and impose a fine of not less than RMB 5,000 but not more than RMB 50,000. Where the circumstances are serious, an additional fine of not less than RMB 50,000 but not more than RMB 100,000 may be imposed: (1) independently accepting engagements to provide trademark agency services; (2) engaging in trademark agency services simultaneously through two or more trademark agencies; (3) other conduct that seriously disrupts the trademark agency market. 第六十八条 商标代理从业人员有下列行为之一的，由负责商标执法的部门责令限期改正，给予警告，并处五千元以上五万元以下的罚款；情节严重的，并处五万元以上十万元以下的罚款： （一）自行接受委托办理商标代理业务； （二）同时在两个以上商标代理机构从事商标代理业务； （三）其他严重扰乱商标代理市场秩序行为。 |
Comments: The revised law introduces direct administrative liability for trademark practitioners. Individual practitioners will need to ensure compliance with the new professional conduct requirements, as regulatory enforcement is no longer limited to trademark agencies.
17. Well-Known Trademark Recognition for Overseas Proceedings
| 2019 Trademark Law | Revised Trademark Law |
| Article 69 Where, in the course of trademark registration examination or adjudication, or the handling of trademark-related cases outside China, it is necessary to establish that a trademark is well known among the relevant public in China, the Trademark Administration Authority of the State Council may, upon the request of a party, determine whether the trademark is well known in accordance with Article 63 of this Law. Where a trademark agency, by means of fraud or other improper conduct, handles overseas trademark registration applications or other trademark matters on behalf of a client in China, thereby harming the interests of the client, the national interest, the public interest, or the lawful rights and interests of others, it shall be dealt with and penalized in accordance with Article 67 of this Law. 第六十九条 在境外商标注册审查审理或者处理商标案件过程中，需要证明商标在中国境内为相关公众所熟知的，应当事人请求，国务院商标管理部门可以依照本法第六十三条的规定对商标驰名情况作出确认。 以欺诈等不正当手段为中国境内委托人办理境外商标注册申请或者其他商标事宜，损害委托人利益或者国家利益、社会公共利益、他人合法权益的，依照本法第六十七条的规定处理、处罚。 |
Comments: The revised law introduces a mechanism for recognizing well-known trademarks for use in overseas trademark proceedings. This may provide Chinese brand owners with valuable evidence when combating bad-faith trademark registrations and unfair competition in foreign jurisdictions.
18. Public Reporting of Trademark Violations
| 2019 Trademark Law | Revised Trademark Law |
| Article 70 Any organization or individual may file a complaint or report to the departments responsible for trademark administration or trademark enforcement regarding unlawful acts, including the misleading use of registered trademarks and infringement of the exclusive right to use a registered trademark. 第七十条 对于以误导公众的方式使用注册商标、侵犯注册商标专用权等违法行为，任何单位或者个人有权向负责商标管理工作、商标执法的部门投诉、举报。 |
Comments: The revised law expressly grants any organization or individual the right to report trademark violations to the competent authorities. This is expected to encourage greater public participation and provide additional channels for identifying and investigating trademark violations.
19. Clarification of Indicative (Nominative) Use
| 2019 Trademark Law | Revised Trademark Law |
| Article 59 The holder of the right to exclusively use a registered trademark shall have no right to preclude others from legitimately using the common name, design or model of goods on which the trademark is used, the direct indications of the quality, main raw materials, functions, uses, weight, quantity, and other features of goods, or the place name in the trademark. Where a three-dimensional registered trademark comprises a shape resulting from the nature of the goods, a shape of the goods necessary for achieving a technical effect, or a shape to add substantive value to the goods, the holder of the right to exclusively use the registered trademark shall have no right to preclude others from legitimately using such a shape. Where, before a trademark registrant applies for trademark registration, another party has used an identical or similar trademark with a certain reputation on identical or similar goods prior to the trademark registrant, the holder of the right to exclusively use the registered trademark shall have no right to preclude such other party from continuing to use the trademark for original purposes, but may require such other party to add a distinctive mark. 第五十九条 注册商标中含有的本商品的通用名称、图形、型号，或者直接表示商品的质量、主要原料、功能、用途、重量、数量及其他特点，或者含有的地名，注册商标专用权人无权禁止他人正当使用。 三维标志注册商标中含有的商品自身的性质产生的形状、为获得技术效果而需有的商品形状或者使商品具有实质性价值的形状，注册商标专用权人无权禁止他人正当使用。 商标注册人申请商标注册前，他人已经在同一种商品或者类似商品上先于商标注册人使用与注册商标相同或者近似并有一定影响的商标的，注册商标专用权人无权禁止该使用人在原使用范围内继续使用该商标，但可以要求其附加适当区别标识。 | Article 73 The holder of the right to exclusively use a registered trademark shall have no right to preclude others from legitimately using the common name, design or model of goods on which the trademark is used, the direct indications of the variety, nature, quality, main raw materials, functions, uses, weight, quantity, value, geographical origin, and other features of goods, or the place name in the trademark. Where registered trademarks consisting of three-dimensional signs, color combinations, sounds, dynamic signs, or the like contain shapes, color combinations, sounds, or dynamic effects that are dictated by the nature of the goods themselves, are necessary to achieve a technical result, or give the goods substantial value, the trademark registrant shall have no right to prohibit others from making legitimate use thereof. Where a registered trademark is used solely to indicate the purpose, intended users, application scenarios, or other descriptive information of the goods provided, or to indicate the true source thereof, the trademark registrant shall have no right to prohibit others from making legitimate use thereof, except where such use is likely to cause confusion. Where, before a trademark registrant applies for trademark registration, another party has used an identical or similar trademark with a certain reputation on identical or similar goods prior to the trademark registrant, the holder of the right to exclusively use the registered trademark shall have no right to preclude such other party from continuing to use the trademark for original purposes, but may require such other party to add a distinctive mark. 第七十三条 注册商标中含有的本商品的通用名称、图形、型号，或者直接表示商品的种类、性质、质量、主要原料、功能、用途、重量、数量、价值、地理来源及其他特点，或者含有的地名，注册商标专用权人无权禁止他人正当使用。 三维标志、颜色组合、声音、动态标志等注册商标中含有的由商品自身的性质产生的、为获得技术效果而需有的或者使商品具有实质性价值的形状、颜色组合、声音、动态效果等，注册商标专用权人无权禁止他人正当使用。 仅为指示所提供商品的用途、适用对象、应用场景等信息或者表明真实来源，使用相关注册商标的，注册商标专用权人无权禁止他人正当使用，但容易导致混淆的除外。 商标注册人申请商标注册前，他人已经在同一种商品或者类似商品上先于商标注册人使用与注册商标相同或者近似并有一定影响的商标的，注册商标专用权人无权禁止该使用人在原使用范围内继续使用该商标，但可以要求其附加适当区别标识。 |
Comments: The revised law expressly clarifies the scope of indicative (nominative) use. This amendment provides a clearer legal basis for businesses to make legitimate referential use of another party’s trademark, while further defining the boundary between trademark protection and fair use.
20. Flexibility in Calculating Damages
| 2019 Trademark Law | Revised Trademark Law |
| Article 63 The amount of damages for infringement upon the right to exclusively use a registered trademark shall be determined according to the actual losses suffered by the right holder from the infringement; where it is difficult to determine the amount of actual losses, the amount of damages may be determined according to the benefits acquired by the infringer from the infringement; where it is difficult to determine the right holder’s losses or the benefits acquired by the infringer, the amount of damages may be a reasonable multiple of the royalties. If the infringement is committed in bad faith with serious circumstances, the amount of damages shall be the amount, but not more than five times the amount, determined in the aforesaid method. The amount of damages shall include reasonable expenses of the right holder for stopping the infringement. Where the right holder has made its best efforts to adduce evidence but the account books and materials related to infringement are mainly in the possession of the infringer, in order to determine the amount of damages, a people’s court may order the infringer to provide such account books and materials; and if the infringer refuses to provide the same or provide any false ones, the people’s court may determine the amount of damages by reference to the claims of and the evidence provided by the right holder. Where it is difficult to determine the actual losses suffered by the right holder from the infringement, the profits acquired by the infringer from the infringement, or the royalties of the registered trademark, a people’s court may award damages of not more than five million yuan according to the circumstances of the infringement. The people’s court that tries a trademark dispute case shall, at the request of the right holder, order destruction of goods on which a registered trademark is falsely used, except under special circumstances; order destruction of materials and tools primarily used for the manufacture of such goods without compensation; or under special circumstances, order prohibition of the said materials and tools from entering commercial channels without compensation. Goods on which a registered trademark is falsely used may not enter commercial channels even if the registered trademark so used is removed only. 第六十三条 侵犯商标专用权的赔偿数额，按照权利人因被侵权所受到的实际损失确定；实际损失难以确定的，可以按照侵权人因侵权所获得的利益确定；权利人的损失或者侵权人获得的利益难以确定的，参照该商标许可使用费的倍数合理确定。对恶意侵犯商标专用权，情节严重的，可以在按照上述方法确定数额的一倍以上五倍以下确定赔偿数额。赔偿数额应当包括权利人为制止侵权行为所支付的合理开支。 人民法院为确定赔偿数额，在权利人已经尽力举证，而与侵权行为相关的账簿、资料主要由侵权人掌握的情况下，可以责令侵权人提供与侵权行为相关的账簿、资料；侵权人不提供或者提供虚假的账簿、资料的，人民法院可以参考权利人的主张和提供的证据判定赔偿数额。 权利人因被侵权所受到的实际损失、侵权人因侵权所获得的利益、注册商标许可使用费难以确定的，由人民法院根据侵权行为的情节判决给予五百万元以下的赔偿。 人民法院审理商标纠纷案件，应权利人请求，对属于假冒注册商标的商品，除特殊情况外，责令销毁；对主要用于制造假冒注册商标的商品的材料、工具，责令销毁，且不予补偿；或者在特殊情况下，责令禁止前述材料、工具进入商业渠道，且不予补偿。 假冒注册商标的商品不得在仅去除假冒注册商标后进入商业渠道。 | Article 77 The amount of damages for infringement upon the right to exclusively use a registered trademark shall be determined according to the actual losses suffered by the right holder from the infringement or the benefits acquired by the infringer from the infringement; where it is difficult to determine the right holder’s losses or the benefits acquired by the infringer, the amount of damages may be a reasonable multiple of the royalties. Where infringement of the exclusive right to use a registered trademark is intentional and the circumstances are serious, damages may be determined at between one and five times the amount determined under the foregoing methods. Where the right holder has made its best efforts to adduce evidence but the account books and materials related to infringement are mainly in the possession of the infringer, in order to determine the amount of damages, a people’s court may order the infringer to provide such account books and materials; and if the infringer refuses to provide the same or provide any false ones, the people’s court may determine the amount of damages by reference to the claims of and the evidence provided by the right holder. Where it is difficult to determine the actual losses suffered by the right holder from the infringement, the profits acquired by the infringer from the infringement, or the royalties of the registered trademark, a people’s court may award damages of not more than five million yuan according to the circumstances of the infringement. The amount of damages shall include reasonable expenses of the right holder for stopping the infringement. The people’s court that tries a trademark dispute case shall, at the request of the right holder, order destruction of goods on which a registered trademark is falsely used, except under special circumstances; order destruction of materials and tools primarily used for the manufacture of such goods without compensation; or under special circumstances, order prohibition of the said materials and tools from entering commercial channels without compensation. Goods on which a registered trademark is falsely used may not enter commercial channels even if the registered trademark so used is removed only. 第七十七条 侵犯注册商标专用权的赔偿数额，按照权利人因被侵权所受到的实际损失或者侵权人因侵权所获得的利益确定；权利人的损失或者侵权人获得的利益难以确定的，参照该商标许可使用费的倍数合理确定。对故意侵犯注册商标专用权，情节严重的，可以在按照上述方法确定数额的一倍以上五倍以下确定赔偿数额。 人民法院为确定赔偿数额，在权利人已经尽力举证，而与侵权行为相关的账簿、资料主要由侵权人掌握的情况下，可以责令侵权人提供与侵权行为相关的账簿、资料；侵权人不提供或者提供虚假的账簿、资料的，人民法院可以参考权利人的主张和提供的证据判定赔偿数额。 权利人因被侵权所受到的实际损失、侵权人因侵权所获得的利益、注册商标许可使用费难以确定的，由人民法院根据侵权行为的情节判决给予五百万元以下的赔偿。 赔偿数额还应当包括权利人为制止侵权行为所支付的合理开支。 人民法院审理商标纠纷案件，应权利人请求，对属于假冒注册商标的商品，除特殊情况外，责令销毁；对主要用于制造假冒注册商标的商品的材料、工具，责令销毁，且不予补偿；或者在特殊情况下，责令禁止前述材料、工具进入商业渠道，且不予补偿。 假冒注册商标的商品不得在仅去除假冒注册商标后进入商业渠道。 |
Comments: The revised law removes the sequential approach to calculating damages. Rights holders may choose to base their damages claim on either their actual losses or the infringer’s gains, providing greater flexibility in trademark infringement litigation.
21. Three-Year Genuine Use Requirement for Damages
| 2019 Trademark Law | Revised Trademark Law |
| Article 64 Where the owner of the exclusive right to use a registered trademark claims damages, and the alleged infringer argues that the right holder has never used the registered trademark, a people’s court may require the owner of the exclusive right to use a registered trademark to provide evidence of its genuine use of the registered trademark in the last three years. If the owner of the exclusive right to use a registered trademark is neither able to prove its genuine use of the registered trademark in the last three years nor able to prove that it has suffered other losses from the infringement, the alleged infringer shall not be liable for damages. Where any goods infringing a right to exclusively use a registered trademark are sold without knowledge of such infringement, and the seller is able to prove that the goods are legally acquired and provide the supplier, the seller shall not be liable for damages. 第六十四条 注册商标专用权人请求赔偿，被控侵权人以注册商标专用权人未使用注册商标提出抗辩的，人民法院可以要求注册商标专用权人提供此前三年内实际使用该注册商标的证据。注册商标专用权人不能证明此前三年内实际使用过该注册商标，也不能证明因侵权行为受到其他损失的，被控侵权人不承担赔偿责任。 销售不知道是侵犯注册商标专用权的商品，能证明该商品是自己合法取得并说明提供者的，不承担赔偿责任。 | Article 78 Where the owner of the exclusive right to use a registered trademark claims damages, and the alleged infringer argues that the registered trademark has not been used, a People’s Court may require the trademark owner to provide evidence of genuine use of the registered trademark during the three years preceding the occurrence of the alleged infringement. If the owner of the exclusive right to use the registered trademark is unable to prove such genuine use during that period, and is also unable to prove that it has suffered other losses as a result of the infringement, the alleged infringer shall not be liable for damages. Where any goods infringing a right to exclusively use a registered trademark are sold without knowledge of such infringement, and the seller is able to prove that the goods are legally acquired and provide the supplier, the seller shall not be liable for damages. 第七十八条 注册商标专用权人请求赔偿，被控侵权人以注册商标专用权人未使用注册商标提出抗辩的，人民法院可以要求注册商标专用权人提供侵权行为发生前三年内实际使用该注册商标的证据。注册商标专用权人不能证明此前三年内实际使用过该注册商标，也不能证明因侵权行为受到其他损失的，被控侵权人不承担赔偿责任。 销售不知道是侵犯注册商标专用权的商品，能证明该商品是自己合法取得并说明提供者的，不承担赔偿责任。 |
Comments: The revised law clarifies that the three-year genuine use period is calculated by reference to the occurrence date of the alleged infringement rather than the filing of the lawsuit. This provides greater certainty in assessing entitlement to damages and reduces disputes over the relevant time period.
22. Civil Liability for Malicious Trademark Litigation
| 2019 Trademark Law | Revised Trademark Law |
| Article 68 Where a party maliciously institutes trademark litigation, the People’s Court shall impose penalties in accordance with the law. 第六十八条第四款 ……对恶意提起商标诉讼的，由人民法院依法给予处罚。 | Article 81 Where a party institutes trademark litigation by means of malicious collusion or by fabricating fundamental facts, the People’s Court shall impose penalties in accordance with the law. Where losses are caused to the opposing party, the party instituting such litigation shall bear civil liability in accordance with the law. 第八十一条 对以恶意串通、单方捏造基本事实等方式提起商标诉讼的，由人民法院依法给予处罚；给对方当事人造成损失的，应当依法承担民事责任。 |
Comments: The revised law specifies typical forms of malicious trademark litigation and expressly introduces civil liability for resulting losses. The amendment sends a stronger signal against abusive trademark enforcement and may deter bad-faith litigation in practice.
23.Strengthened Accountability of Public Officials
| 2019 Trademark Law | Revised Trademark Law |
| Article 71 State personnel engaged in trademark registration, administration, and review who neglect their duties, abuse their powers, or engage in malpractice for personal gain by unlawfully handling trademark registration, administration, or review matters, or who accept property from parties or seek improper benefits, shall, where the conduct constitutes a crime, be subject to criminal liability in accordance with the law; where the conduct does not constitute a crime, administrative sanctions shall be imposed in accordance with the law. 第七十一条 从事商标注册、管理和复审工作的国家机关工作人员玩忽职守、滥用职权、徇私舞弊，违法办理商标注册、管理和复审事项，收受当事人财物，牟取不正当利益，构成犯罪的，依法追究刑事责任；尚不构成犯罪的，依法给予处分。 | Article 84 Public officials engaged in trademark registration, administration, or enforcement who, in violation of this Law, engage in trademark agency services or commercial production or business activities, or who abuse their powers, neglect their duties, or engage in malpractice for personal gain under any of the following circumstances, shall be subject to disciplinary sanctions in accordance with the law: (1) approving trademark registration despite the statutory requirements not being satisfied, thereby causing adverse effects; (2) failing to issue an order for rectification or impose administrative penalties where required by law; (3) failing to perform trademark administration or enforcement duties after discovering a violation or receiving a complaint or report; (4) other conduct for which disciplinary sanctions shall be imposed in accordance with the law. 第八十四条 从事商标注册、管理和执法等工作的公职人员，违反本法规定，从事商标代理业务、商品生产经营活动的，或者滥用职权、玩忽职守、徇私舞弊，有下列情形之一的，依法给予处分： （一）不符合商标注册条件准予商标注册，造成不良影响； （二）依法应当作出责令改正、行政处罚等决定而未作出； （三）发现违法行为或者接到投诉举报不依法履行商标管理、执法职责； （四）其他依法应当予以处分的行为。 |
Comments: The revised law expands the disciplinary obligations of public officials engaged in trademark administration and enforcement. It introduces more specific grounds for accountability and strengthens oversight of trademark regulatory authorities. It is reasonable to expect that trademark examination and enforcement may become more rigorous in practice.
Proposals Not Retained in the Final Text
Several proposals that attracted significant attention during the legislative process were ultimately not included in the final version of the revised Law. These omissions are also worth noting, as they reflect the legislature’s attempt to balance stronger trademark regulation with procedural fairness, administrative efficiency, and legitimate business needs.
One notable example is the proposed rule that would have required courts, in trademark administrative litigation, to review the challenged decision based only on the facts existing at the time the administrative decision was made. This proposal raised concerns that later changes in trademark status, such as the cancellation or invalidation of cited marks during litigation, might no longer be considered by the courts. Its deletion means that the existing doctrine of change of circumstances can continue to play an important corrective role in trademark administrative cases.
Other proposals were also left out of the final text, including a five-year trademark use statement requirement, a compulsory transfer mechanism for certain bad-faith registrations, civil compensation for bad-faith trademark filings, and a prohibition on repeat trademark applications. Each of these proposals addressed real issues in practice, such as trademark hoarding, bad-faith squatting, and inefficient use of trademark resources. At the same time, they also raised concerns over administrative burden, legal certainty, implementation difficulties, and the protection of reasonable defensive filing strategies.
The fact that these proposals were not retained does not mean that the underlying issues have disappeared. Rather, it suggests that the legislature has chosen a more cautious and incremental approach for the time being. These topics are likely to remain important areas for future judicial practice, administrative guidance, and possible further legislative reform.
Conclusion
The revised trademark law represents one of the most significant reforms to China’s trademark system in recent years. While many amendments codify existing judicial practice, others introduce entirely new mechanisms, including administrative penalties for bad-faith filings, recognition of Internet-based trademark use, expanded protection for unregistered well-known marks, and clearer rules on nominative use and damages.
For brand owners, trademark agencies, and practitioners, the revised law will require closer attention to trademark filing strategies, enforcement approaches, licensing arrangements, and compliance obligations. Many of the new provisions will ultimately depend on future judicial decisions and administrative practice, which will be closely watched.
