Thursday, 28 May 2026
China’s intellectual property authorities have released a new national roadmap aimed at strengthening the country’s IP system, with a particular focus on emerging technologies, enforcement mechanisms and the commercial use of intellectual property assets.
The 2026 Plan for Building an Intellectual Property Powerhouse was formally issued by the China National Intellectual Property Administration following approval by an inter-ministerial government body overseeing the country’s long-term IP strategy. The document forms part of China’s broader Outline for Building an Intellectual Property Powerhouse (2021–2035) and sets out 106 policy actions across multiple government agencies.
The plan covers a wide range of areas including legislative reform, judicial enforcement, international cooperation, commercialisation of patents and copyrights, public services and professional training.
Among the most significant legislative priorities is the proposed revision of China’s Trade Mark Law, alongside updates to regulations covering integrated circuit layout designs, copyright management and online copyright protection. Authorities also intend to introduce additional protections for traditional cultural works and traditional Chinese medicine knowledge.
A major theme throughout the strategy is the regulation of intellectual property in emerging digital sectors. China plans to expand pilot programmes related to data-related intellectual property rights while exploring new protection frameworks for artificial intelligence, blockchain technology and big data applications. The roadmap also highlights plans to refine legal rules surrounding open-source intellectual property.
The strategy places strong emphasis on enforcement. Authorities intend to strengthen coordination between administrative bodies, courts and prosecutors while continuing specialised national campaigns targeting piracy, counterfeiting and trade secret theft. Planned initiatives include expanded action against online copyright infringement, cinema piracy and customs-related IP violations.
Trade secret protection receives particular attention within the document. National authorities plan to introduce new protection standards, establish priority monitoring systems for key industries and continue pilot programmes focused on trade secret enforcement.
The plan also seeks to improve coordination between domestic and cross-border enforcement systems. Chinese authorities aim to strengthen support mechanisms for companies facing overseas IP disputes, while expanding early-warning systems for international intellectual property risks. Additional resources will also be directed toward mediation, arbitration and administrative dispute resolution systems.
Commercialisation of intellectual property forms another central pillar of the strategy. The government plans to intensify scrutiny of bad-faith patent and trade mark filings while promoting faster patent examinations and broader use of patent licensing systems. Authorities also intend to encourage the use of artificial intelligence tools to support patent commercialisation and technology transfer.
The financial value of intellectual property is also expected to play a larger role in China’s innovation economy. The plan supports the continued development of IP-backed financing, securitisation and insurance products, with the aim of improving funding access for innovation-driven businesses using intangible assets as collateral.
Internationally, China intends to expand its role in global IP governance through greater participation in organisations such as the World Intellectual Property Organization, the World Trade Organization and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation. The strategy also references deeper cooperation under Belt and Road initiatives and ongoing negotiations related to international copyright treaties.
The document further addresses the development of professional IP services and legal expertise. Authorities plan to tighten oversight of IP agencies while expanding training programmes for lawyers and advisers specialising in international intellectual property matters. China also intends to support the creation of new research institutions and international IP education initiatives.
For international companies and brand owners operating in China, the strategy signals a more sophisticated and enforcement-driven intellectual property environment. Businesses are expected to face closer scrutiny regarding trade mark and patent filings while also gaining access to expanded protection mechanisms and financing opportunities linked to intellectual property assets.
The roadmap also suggests that companies operating in sectors linked to artificial intelligence, data management and digital technologies should closely monitor upcoming regulatory developments, as China continues to position itself as an active participant in shaping international IP standards for emerging technologies.
Source: CMS
