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China IP Quarterly Update — Q2 2026: Key Trends and Practical Considerations

China IP Quarterly Update — Q2 2026: Key Trends and Practical ConsiderationsBy •

Executive Takeaways 1. Revised Trademark Law Further Strengthens Trademark Protection and Regulatory Oversight Trend On June 26, 2026, the revised Trademark Law was adopted and will take effect on January 1, 2027. The amendments introduce several significant changes, including: These changes reflect China’s continued efforts to strengthen trademark protection while improving regulatory oversight over trademark registration and use. Practical Considerations […]

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English Translation of the Judgment: Louis Vuitton Malletier v. Molly Tea — Trademark Infringement Dispute

English Translation of the Judgment: Louis Vuitton Malletier v. Molly Tea — Trademark Infringement DisputeBy •

Louis Vuitton Malletier (hereinafter referred to as “Louis Vuitton”), a globally renowned luxury goods manufacturer headquartered in France, designed and introduced in 1896 a figurative mark consisting of the “LV” device, four-leaf clover motifs and other elements. Louis Vuitton has registered and owns multiple trademarks in China, including Trademark Registration Nos. 61812517A, 68717216A, 1106302, 1111910, 1112498, 52161177, and 68725763A, among others. The designated goods and services of these trademarks cover Classes 3, 4, 9, 14, 16, 18, 21, 25 and 43.

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Suzhou Court Awards Louis Vuitton RMB 10.3 Million Against Molly Tea: The Law Was Straightforward, but the Public Reaction Was Not (Judgment of 2026)

Suzhou Court Awards Louis Vuitton RMB 10.3 Million Against Molly Tea: The Law Was Straightforward, but the Public Reaction Was Not (Judgment of 2026)By •

From a legal perspective, I do not find the court’s finding of trademark infringement particularly surprising. First, Louis Vuitton’s four-petal flower device has been used for decades as one of the signature elements of its Monogram collection and is protected by multiple registered trademarks in China. As a well-known trademark element with strong distinctiveness, it is entitled to broad protection under the Chinese Trademark Law.

Suzhou Court Awards Louis Vuitton RMB 10.3 Million Against Molly Tea: The Law Was Straightforward, but the Public Reaction Was Not (Judgment of 2026) More »

Jiangsu High Court: Brand Recognition Does Not Automatically Establish Protection for Product Decorations (Judgment of May 27, 2026)

Jiangsu High Court: Brand Recognition Does Not Automatically Establish Protection for Product Decorations (Judgment of May 27, 2026)By •

The court emphasized that brand recognition does not automatically translate into recognition of a product decoration. Even where a brand enjoys substantial market recognition, rights holders should be prepared to prove that the specific product decoration at issue has itself acquired market influence and source-identifying significance. Evidence relating solely to the fame of the brand may not be sufficient.

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10 Practical Takeaways from the SPC’s 2025 Typical IP Cases (Part II)

10 Practical Takeaways from the SPC’s 2025 Typical IP Cases (Part II)By •

In Part I, we discussed five cases involving trademark distinctiveness, semiconductor patents, punitive damages, trade secret protection, and malicious employee poaching. This article highlights five additional cases concerning data scraping, anti-counterfeiting enforcement, online commercial defamation, platform liability, and bad-faith trademark filings.

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10 Practical Takeaways from the SPC’s 2025 Typical IP Cases (Part I)

10 Practical Takeaways from the SPC’s 2025 Typical IP Cases (Part I)By •

On April 20, 2026, the Supreme People’s Court of China released its 2025 Typical Intellectual Property Cases. The selected cases cover a broad range of issues, including trademark law, patent litigation, trade secret protection, unfair competition, data rights, platform liability, and anti-counterfeiting enforcement. This article highlights ten practical takeaways that may be relevant to brand owners, technology companies, platform operators, and IP practitioners following developments in Chinese intellectual property law.

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China IP & AI Quarterly Update — Q1 2026: Key Trends and Practical Considerations

China IP & AI Quarterly Update — Q1 2026: Key Trends and Practical ConsiderationsBy •

Executive Takeaways: China continues strengthening scrutiny over trademark filings, misleading branding practices, and trademark enforcement; Businesses operating in AI, software, robotics, SaaS, and digital services sectors should reassess trademark coverage under the updated Nice Classification system.

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Supreme People’s Court: Industry Perception Prevails in Determining Identical Goods — “Maple Leaf” Case Retrial Reversal (Judgment of January 29, 2026)

Supreme People’s Court: Industry Perception Prevails in Determining Identical Goods — “Maple Leaf” Case Retrial Reversal (Judgment of January 29, 2026)By •

This judgment sends several important signals: While the Classification remains a key reference, it is not determinative, especially where non-standard product names are involved; Courts will increasingly rely on real-world industry understanding to define the scope of goods.

Supreme People’s Court: Industry Perception Prevails in Determining Identical Goods — “Maple Leaf” Case Retrial Reversal (Judgment of January 29, 2026) More »

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