Intellectual Property

Beijing Municipality considers adopting other negative lists of outbound data transfer programs nationwide | Court rules that AI prompts are not “works” hence not copyright-protected. | U.S. coffee giant shifts to joint venture model amid slowing growth and fierce competition in China.

Patrick Gu and Lin Zang of Llinks Law Offices offer a practical analysis of the practical implications of a new set of Guidelines on the use of non-compete clauses

Part I of this series outlined China’s general rules on foreign-related jurisdiction, and Part II examined how Chinese courts apply those rules in practice. In Part III, Jianwei (Jerry) Fang, Ke Dong, and Jiaying Jiang of Zhong Lun Law Firm explore how China’s litigation landscape is evolving through significant judicial reforms — from courts setting global SEP royalty terms and expanding extraterritorial enforcement to growing use of mediation in cross-border disputes — and how these substantive developments are supported by a parallel expansion of specialized international commercial courts

New rules set forth economic compensation for complying with non-compete restrictions. CLP Reference: 2400/25.09.04 ; Issued: 2025-09-04 ; Effective: 2025-09-04

Fang Qi and Ran Duan of Fangda Partners analyze a recent Chinese court decision which, for the first time, recognized that the use of trademarks in a virtual context may infringe rights in the real world

Eight landmark AI judgments set precedents on AI-related infringement. | China attempts to displace the U.S. and Germany in determining industry standards. | Increased foreign interest in Chinese stocks adds US$3 trillion to market.

With innovation and technological advancement come more complex legal challenges for companies operating across borders. Ruby Chan and Dr Isabella Liu of Baker McKenzie, and Aggie Liu and Cassidy Guo of FenXun, examine the key considerations, best practices, and frequently asked questions for Chinese businesses expanding into the U.S. market

Part I of this series explained China’s general rules on foreign-related jurisdiction. In Part II, Jianwei(Jerry) Fang, Ke Dong and Haoyi Sun of Zhong LunLaw Firm show how Chinese courts will, in practice, assert jurisdiction in civil, administrative or criminal contexts involving foreign elements, and describe a new “blocking statute” that reflects China’s response to foreign long-arm claims.

Proposed AI ethics rules will require ethical committees in institutions; Japanese brand Muji’s two-decades old trademark dispute ends in defeat; and China steps up Belt and Road investment as Western trade barriers rise.