Reverse Passing Off In China: What Trademark Owners Need To Know

Among the typical cases of trademark administrative protection for 2025 recently released by the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA), the "Mengyouyou" trademark infringement case in Shanghai has drawn particular attention. In this case, a party bought tricycles bearing the "Mengyouyou" brand and, without the trademark owner's permission, replaced the outer packaging with their own mark and sold the products. They were eventually ordered to stop the infringement, had the infringing packaging confiscated, and were fined¹. What makes this case stand out among so many typical cases is that it involves a relatively rare type of trademark infringement: reverse passing off.