China Issues Regulations on Resolving Foreign-Related IP Disputes

Introduction

China’s State Council has issued an 18-article regulation on resolving intellectual property (“IP“) disputes related to foreign matters (“IP Regulation“), which will take effect on 1 May 2025.

The IP Regulation is China’s first administrative document providing for the standardised management of IP cases related to foreign matters, aiming to establish efficient and convenient resolution mechanisms and services for citizens and organisations involved in such disputes. The IP Regulation further seeks to facilitate the opening-up of China’s IP industry, providing a framework for domestic enterprises to pursue global expansion.

Among others, the IP Regulation contains the following provisions:

• • Enhancing IP framework: The State Council authorities are to enhance the country’s IP framework with regard to foreign-related IP disputes, foreign IP information inquiries and warning services. The IP Regulations also set out the role of enterprises in supporting the development of foreign-related IP services and protection.

  • Procedural rules: The IP Regulation addresses the service of documents and collection of evidence in China, as well as the sharing of evidence or materials abroad.

  • Countermeasures against unfair treatment: The State Council may conduct investigations and take necessary measures in response to foreign entities that fail to grant national treatment or provide adequate IP protection to Chinese citizens and organisations.

This Update highlights the key features of the IP Regulation.

IP Regulation

The key features of the IP Regulation include the following:

Government framework: The State Council and the relevant IP authorities are to enhance guidance and support in resolving foreign-related IP disputes, providing standardised processes and mechanisms. They will also strengthen foreign IP information inquiry services and warning services.

Role of enterprises: Apart from Government entities, enterprises are also encouraged to play a role in developing the IP dispute resolution system.

• • Mediation and arbitration institutions are encouraged to participate in the dispute resolution process for foreign-related IP disputes.
  • Law firms and IP service providers are encouraged to enhance their foreign-related IP services.
  • Enterprises will be supported to establish mutual assistance funds for foreign-related IP protection.
  • Enterprises are to develop their legal IP compliance, establish adequate governance systems, and develop IP talent.

Procedural rules: Service of documents and collection of evidence within China must comply with applicable domestic laws and international treaties. For provision of evidence or materials to foreign authorities, there must be compliance with Chinese laws on state secrecy, data security, and administrative approval.

Countermeasures: The IP Regulation provides for countermeasures against the unfair treatment of Chinese entities.

• • If foreign entities fail to grant national treatment or provide adequate IP protection to Chinese citizens and organisations, the State Council can conduct investigations and take necessary countermeasures.
  • If foreign countries use IP disputes as a pretext to constrain or suppress China, or impose discriminatory restrictions on Chinese citizens and organisations, the State Council can impose appropriate countermeasures and restrictive measures.

Conclusion

The IP Regulation marks the latest stride in China’s development and opening-up of its IP industry, facilitating a movement towards a more global presence. It seeks to establish standardised and reliable measures for resolving IP disputes relating to foreign matters, and to provide greater certainty and reliability for citizens and organisations involved in such matters.

As the IP Regulation takes effect on 1 May 2025, parties involved in the IP industry, or dealing with commercial matters relating to foreign IP, should be aware of the relevant provisions and ensure compliance with the requirements.

中国发布《关于涉外知识产权纠纷处理的规定》

简介                                       

中国国务院于2025年3月13日发布了《关于涉外知识产权纠纷处理的规定》（“《涉外知识产权规定》”），该规定将于 2025 年 5 月 1 日生效。

《涉外知识产权规定》是中国首部规范涉外知识产权案件管理的行政性文件，旨在为涉及此类纠纷的公民和组织建立高效便捷的争议解决机制和服务。《涉外知识产权规定》进一步促进了中国知识产权行业的对外开放，为中国企业在全球范围的业务拓展提供了框架。

《涉外知识产权规定》包含以下内容：

• • 加强知识产权治理框架 – 国务院有关部门将加强国家在涉外知识产权纠纷、外国知识产权信息查询和预警服务方面的知识产权治理框架。《涉外知识产权规定》还规定了企业在支持发展涉外知识产权服务和保护方面的作用。

• • 程序规则 – 《涉外知识产权规定》涉及在中国的文书送达和证据收集，以及在国外共享证据或材料。

• • 针对不公平待遇的反诉措施 – 对于未给予中国公民和组织国民待遇或提供充分知识产权保护的外国实体，国务院可以进行调查并采取必要措施。

本动态将重点介绍《涉外知识产权规定》的主要亮点。

涉外知识产权规定

《涉外知识产权规定》的主要亮点包括：

政府治理框架 – 国务院和相关知识产权部门将加强对涉外知识产权纠纷解决的指导和支持，提供标准化的流程和机制。他们还将加强外国知识产权信息查询服务和预警服务。

企业的作用 – 除了政府实体外，《涉外知识产权规定》还鼓励企业在发展知识产权纠纷解决制度中发挥作用。

• • 鼓励调解和仲裁机构参与涉外知识产权纠纷的争议解决程序。
  • 鼓励律师事务所和知识产权服务提供商加强其涉外知识产权服务。
  • 将支持企业设立涉外知识产权保护互助基金。
  • 企业应发展其知识产权法律合规性，建立适当的治理体系，培养知识产权人才。

程序规则 – 在中国境内文书送达和证据收集必须符合适用的国内法律和国际条约。向外国当局提供证据或材料必须遵守中国有关国家保密、数据安全和行政审批的法律。

反诉措施 – 《涉外知识产权规定》规定了针对中国实体受到不公平待遇的反诉措施。

• • 如果外国实体未能给予中国公民和组织国民待遇或提供足够的知识产权保护，国务院可以进行调查并采取必要的反诉措施。
  • 如果他国以知识产权纠纷为借口限制或压制中国，或对中国公民和组织实施歧视性限制，国务院可以采取适当的反诉措施和限制措施。

结论

《涉外知识产权规定》标志着中国发展和开放知识产权产业的最新进展，促进了其走向全球的进程。该规定旨在建立标准化和可靠的措施来解决涉外知识产权纠纷，并为涉及此类事务的中国公民和组织提供更大的确定性和可靠性。

随着《涉外知识产权规定》于 2025 年 5 月 1 日生效，参与知识产权行业或处理与外国知识产权有关的商业事务的各方应了解相关规定并确保遵守其要求。