Dispute Resolution

Supreme People’s Court, Annual Report on Intellectual Property Cases (2009) (Abstract) [Full Text Translation]
最高人民法院知识产权案件年度报告 （2009） （摘要）
The Report selects 37 intellectual property cases on which the Supreme People’s Court has rendered final conclusive opinions addressing issues such as the application of the doctrine of estoppel, retroactive effect of a decision declaring a patent invalid and determination of the legitimate use of a descriptive trademark.

Opinion on Several Issues Concerning the Trial of Administrative Cases Involving the Granting and Confirmation of Trademark Rights [Full Text Translation]
关于审理商标授权确权行政案件若干问题的意见
The Opinions address trademark issues involved in trial cases concerning pirate registration, similar marks and goods, generic names and prior rights.

Supreme People’s Court, Opinions on Several Issues Concerning the Trial of Administrative Cases Involving the Granting and Confirmation of Trademark Rights [Legislation Digest]
最高人民法院关于审理商标授权确权行政案件若干问题的意见
SPC sets standards for trying trademark cases.

Supreme People’s Court, Annual Report on Intellectual Property Cases (2009) (Abstract) [Legislation Digest]
最高人民法院知识产权案件年度报告 (2009) (摘要)
SPC issues conclusive opinions on typical IP cases.

Courts get expanded jurisdiction for IP cases
China’s highest court has published two new sets of guidelines which affect the jurisdiction of lower courts in relation to IP cases. For foreign companies, this means more litigation and a need for increased vigilance

Supreme People’s Court, Circular on Issues Relevant to the Enforcement of Hong Kong Arbitral Awards in the Mainland [Legislation Digest]
最高人民法院关于香港仲裁裁决在内地执行的有关问题的通知
More certainty for parties using the ICC.

Supreme People’s Court, Circular on Revising the Jurisdiction Thresholds for Civil Intellectual Property Cases at First Instance of Local People’s Courts at All Levels [Legislation Digest]
最高人民法院关于调整地方各级人民法院管辖第一审知识产权民事案件标准的通知
Basic-level people’s courts can take more IP cases.

Court clarifies enforcement of Hong Kong arbitral awards

Interpretation on Several Issues Concerning the Application of the Law in Trials of Patent Infringement Disputes [Full Text Translation]
关于审理侵犯专利权纠纷案件应用法律若干问题的解释
The Interpretation gives further insight on the scope of protection of invention and utility model patents and the determination of infringement thereof, determination on an infringement of a design patent, defence on the ground of prior art or prior use, and confirmation of non-infringement.

Supreme People’s Court, Interpretation on Several Issues Concerning the Application of the Law in Trials of Patent Infringement Disputes [Legislation Digest]
最高人民法院关于审理侵犯专利权纠纷案件应用法律若干问题的解释
SPC Interpretation explains details of the Patent Law.

Interpreting the PRC Patent Law
China’s highest court has published a judicial interpretation of the PRC Patent Law which gives significant guidance on many issues facing foreign rights owners