Patent Enforcement in China

Michael Lin, PartnerMarks&Clerk Hong Kong

Patexia WebinarJuly 11, 2013

10:30 AM PDT

© 2013 Copyright Michael Lin, all rights reserved.

Michael Lin• ABC (American Born Chinese)• University of California at Berkeley -

Biochemistry• Really, really terrible scientist• PhD in Genetics• Boston University Law School• Ohio Bar (1996); USPTO Bar (1997); no CN Bar• P&G Patent Attorney, Kobe Japan (10 y)• P&G Patent Attorney, China (3.5 y)• Marks&Clerk Hong Kong (2.5 y)

© 2013 Copyright Michael Lin, all rights reserved.

China Law Intro

• Civil (Roman) Law – Very detailed• Non-binding precedents• Supreme People’s Court Interpretations• Only 1 guaranteed appeal, review = de novo• No Federal Rules of Evidence• No Juries• Inconsistent rulings; favoritism; political

meddling

© 2013 Copyright Michael Lin, all rights reserved.

Patent Office Administrative Enforcement

Local Patent Offices (2013 rules):• Investigations• Seizures• Fines• Administrative punishments

© 2013 Copyright Michael Lin, all rights reserved.

Customs Office Administrative Enforcement

• Register IP in Customs• Customs = reactive, not proactive• Visit & educate Customs• Effectiveness depends on info provided• Follow up in court

© 2013 Copyright Michael Lin, all rights reserved.

Arbitration in China

• CIETAC (China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission): http://www.cietac.org/index.cms

• In 2011-12, Shenzhen and Shanghai offices “disavowed” by Beijing

• Court recently refused to enforce Shanghai CIETAC arbitration.

• Net: designate Beijing Branch for now

Michael LinMichael Lin

Marks&Clerk Hong KongMarks&Clerk Hong Kong@Cyberport@Cyberport @HK Science Park@HK Science ParkLevel 9, Cyberport 1Level 9, Cyberport 1 Unit 516, 5/F, Enterprise PlaceUnit 516, 5/F, Enterprise Place100 Cyberport Road100 Cyberport Road 5 Science Park West Ave.5 Science Park West Ave.Pok Fu Lam, Hong KongPok Fu Lam, Hong Kong Shatin, New Territories, Shatin, New Territories,

Hong KongHong Kong

MLin@marks-clerk.comMLin@marks-clerk.com

© © Copyright Marks&Clerk Hong Kong 2013Copyright Marks&Clerk Hong Kong 2013

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