September 2025
The 2025 George Patton Metaverse Trademark Showdown: What Led a Virtual Car to Rack Up a RMB 1 Million Fine?
On July 21, 2025, the Hangzhou Intermediate Court delivered a second-instance ruling in the trademark infringement and unfair competition dispute concerning the George Patton brand Case No.: (2024) Zhe 01 Min Zhong 10520. This landmark case, recognized as the first involving metaverse virtual reality trademarks, has garnered widespread attention. The court not only upheld the […]
Exploring the Groundbreaking Case of China First Virtual Digital Human IP Dispute: Insights and Industry Impact
Recently, the Beijing Internet Court delivered its first-instance verdict in China inaugural copyright infringement case related to virtual digital humans. This groundbreaking ruling marks a significant step forward in protecting intellectual property rights for digital humans in China. It provides crucial legal clarity for international companies involved in virtual digital human projects within the Chinese […]
Rising Refusal Rates for Trademark Applications in China: Insights into Changing Examination Standards and Strategic Considerations
Understanding CNIPA Stricter Trademark Examination Policies and Their Impact on Brands From 2024, the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA), which oversees the Trademark Office (TMO) and the Trademark Review and Adjudication Board (TRAB), introduced significantly stricter examination criteria for new trademark applications. This policy change has led to a notable increase in refusals based […]