On September 2, 2026, the Supreme People’s Procuratorate (SPP) publicly released five typical cases illustrating technical support in intellectual property procuratorial case handling. These cases were jointly compiled by the SPP’s Intellectual Property Procuratorial Department and the Procuratorial Technology and Information Research Center, reflecting recent efforts by procuratorial organs to adapt to the specialized and technical nature of intellectual property cases. The cases span both criminal and civil procuratorial functions, addressing technical issues including patent infringement determination, non-public-knowledge determination for …
Category: Patents
China’s Anhui Provincial Administration for Market Regulation Issues Record $2.5 Million USD Fine for Unauthorized Practice of Patent Law
In an administrative penalty decision dated August 10, 2026, China’s Anhui Provincial Administration for Market Regulation (geoblocked) issued what is believed to be the highest fine ever for the unauthorized practice of patent law – 17,081,860.09 RMB (over $2.5 million USD). This fine was part of a series of fines against Anhui patent agencies issued in August 2026 including another fine of 9,673,112.3 RMB. Previously, the highest fine is believed to be 2.49 million RMB.
China 2025 Patent Filing Trends: Invention Applications Rise 5.43% as Utility Model Applications Fall 16 .81%
China’s National Intellectual Property Administration’s (CNIPA’s) recently released 2025 Intellectual Property Statistical Yearbook records 1,927,500 invention patent applications in 2025, a year-on-year increase of 5.43 percent, and 2,649,201 utility model applications, a year-on-year decrease of 16.81 percent, or approximately 535,000 fewer filings than in 2024.
CNIPA Releases Revised Measures for Administration of Priority Examination of Patents Excluding Foreigners
Only July 30, 2026, China’s National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) released the revised Measures for Administration of Priority Examination of Patents (Order No. 85) (专利优先审查管理办法（局令第85号）) effective September 1, 2026. Unlike the United States Patent & Trademark Office’s (USPTO) prioritized examination system, foreigners do not appear eligible to use China’s priority examination system.