In March 2021, the China National Intellectual Property
Administration (CNIPA) proposed a plan to address trade mark piracy
or squatting in China.
According to the CNIPA, the plan is intended to promote IP
rights and foster an environment that lends itself to innovation
and business by combatting, amongst other things, the malicious
registration of trade marks for famous or well-known names,
including the names of public figures, trade marks and events,
including words or signs relating to tournaments, significant
natural disasters and public health events.
OEMs manufacturing goods in China are all too familiar with
trade mark piracy and the effect that a rogue registration could
have on original goods being exported from China to other
destinations for sale. China is a first-to-file jurisdiction, which
historically made acting against such malicious trade marks filings
difficult. Protection of well-known marks was also interpreted very
narrowly and questionalble
