China National Intellectual Property Administration Releases 2024 Typical Cases of Administrative Protection of Intellectual Property
Published 1 May 2025
Yu Du
On 27 April 2025, the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) released 30 typical cases of administrative protection of intellectual property for 2024.
Among them, there are 10 typical cases related to patent protection, covering invention patents, utility models, and design patents, including patent infringement administrative rulings and fake patent investigations. These cases involve industries such as pharmaceuticals, electronics, environmental protection, and daily necessities. Another 10 cases relate to trademark protection, involving both goods and service marks, including trademark infringement and general violations, covering sectors such as automobiles, consumer electronics, liquor, and apparel. The remaining 10 cases concern the protection of geographical indications, special symbols, and official logos, such as unauthorized use of geographical indication product names, infringement of certification marks registered as geographical indications, unauthorized use of official logos, and infringement of exclusive rights in special symbols such as those of the 9th Asian Winter Games and the Shenzhou-15 manned space mission.
Of the 30 cases, 17 involved private enterprises and 9 involved foreign or joint-venture enterprises, with enforcement agencies located in 16 provinces or municipalities. This article briefly summarizes 10 representative trademark cases.
Case 1: Shanghai Putuo District Market Supervision Bureau Investigates Trademark Infringement of “Rolls-Royce” and Others
The Putuo District Market Supervision Bureau investigated a case involving unauthorized use of “Rolls-Royce” trademarks on imitation vehicles. More than 10 individuals knowingly leased these counterfeit vehicles and promoted them online as wedding cars, misleading consumers. The illegal turnover reached RMB 193,700. In August 2024, the bureau imposed a total fine of RMB 714,900 based on the Trademark Law.
Case 2: Songyang County Market Supervision Bureau in Zhejiang Cracks Down on Counterfeit “Louis Vuitton” and Other Luxury Brands
Songyang authorities uncovered a large-scale operation manufacturing and selling fake “LV,” “FENDI,” “DIOR,” and “BURBERRYS” scarves. In March 2024, over 63,000 counterfeit scarves and 340,000 packaging items were seized. Subsequent raids dismantled three production hubs, uncovering thousands of counterfeit goods worth over RMB 300 million across five provinces. The counterfeit network had operated since 2020. Due to the massive value, the case was transferred to criminal authorities. The court sentenced key figures to prison terms ranging from 7 months to 3 years and imposed forfeitures totaling RMB 10.111 million.
Case 3: Guangzhou Baiyun District Market Supervision Bureau Handles Livestreaming Sales of Counterfeit “LANCOME” and “SK-II” Products
Baiyun District authorities investigated an e-commerce company that facilitated the livestream sale of counterfeit “LANCOME,” “SK-II,” and other cosmetic brands, earning over RMB 1.2 million in commission. In December 2024, the bureau determined the company had facilitated trademark infringement and imposed a fine of RMB 420,000, granting leniency for the company’s cooperation.
Case 4: Shanghai Jiading District Market Supervision Bureau Investigates Malicious Trademark Filing by a Local Trading Company
Jiading District authorities found that a Shanghai trading company filed 75 trademark applications through an agent since 2019 without engaging in actual business operations. The company transferred many of the registered marks to clients as a “value-added” service. In May 2024, the bureau ruled the behavior constituted malicious registration and imposed a warning and RMB 5,000 fine.
Case 5: Changsha Municipal IP Bureau and Tianxin District Market Supervision Bureau Investigate Infringement of “ECOWATER” Trademark
Authorities in Changsha investigated a water service business for continuing to procure and sell “ECOWATER” filters after its trademark license had expired. The company could not provide valid purchase records. Technical comparison confirmed the products were counterfeit. In July 2024, the authorities confiscated 151 filters and 243 labels, fined the company RMB 10,000, and granted leniency due to its cooperation and settlement with the rights holder.
Case 6: Nanjing Gulou District Market Supervision Bureau Investigates Infringement of “STATE GRID CORPORATION OF CHINA” Trademark
Gulou District authorities found a training company using signs similar to “STATE GRID CORPORATION OF CHINA” on its websites and promotional materials, misleading trainees into believing it was affiliated with the national utility provider. The company earned RMB 289,700 in illegal revenue. In May 2024, it was fined RMB 434,600 and ordered to cease the infringement.
Case 7: Gongqingcheng Market Supervision Bureau in Jiangxi Investigates Infringement of “Peking University” Trademark
Authorities uncovered that an e-commerce company had manufactured and sold down jackets bearing counterfeit “Peking University” trademarks, with sales totaling RMB 133,700. The products were confirmed by the university as unauthorized. In February 2024, the bureau deemed it trademark infringement and transferred the case to the police. It is now under prosecutorial review.
Case 8: Suiyang District Market Supervision Bureau in Shangqiu, Henan, Investigates Reverse Counterfeiting of “Qianrengang” Brand
A local clothing store was found to have removed tags from generic brands and replaced them with counterfeit “Qianrengang” tags, hand bags, and labels on 404 jackets. Some labels included falsified company names. In April 2024, the authorities determined the case constituted reverse counterfeiting and false labeling, ordering confiscation of goods and imposing a fine of RMB 153,300.
Case 9: Xiaogan Market Supervision Bureau in Hubei Investigates Large-Scale Counterfeit Liquor Operation
Together with police, Xiaogan authorities raided two sites producing fake liquor under brands like “Baiyunbian,” “Wuliangye,” and others. They seized 2,318 bottles and over 3,200 packaging items worth RMB 1.2119 million. The goods were confirmed counterfeit by trademark owners. In December 2024, the bureau ruled it a criminal-level infringement and transferred the case to police.
Case 10: Lushi County Market Supervision Bureau in Sanmenxia, Henan, Investigates Misuse of “Daihe’an Wanmizhai” Trademark
Lushi County authorities found that a health company, though authorized to use the “Daihe’an Wanmizhai” trademark, had applied an unauthorized variant logo on product packaging that differed significantly from the registered mark, misleading the public. In November 2024, the conduct was deemed to constitute trademark impersonation, and a fine of RMB 50,000 was imposed.
[Comment]
The publication of typical IP administrative protection cases by the CNIPA serves multiple important purposes. It provides clear guidance to local enforcement agencies on how to handle complex IP disputes, strengthens the deterrent effect against infringement and malicious registration, and promotes legal awareness among enterprises and the public. By showcasing diverse enforcement scenarios across regions, sectors, and types of rights, these cases reflect China’s continued efforts to build a robust IP protection system that supports innovation, fair competition, and international confidence in its legal environment.
Among them, there are 10 typical cases related to patent protection, covering invention patents, utility models, and design patents, including patent infringement administrative rulings and fake patent investigations. These cases involve industries such as pharmaceuticals, electronics, environmental protection, and daily necessities. Another 10 cases relate to trademark protection, involving both goods and service marks, including trademark infringement and general violations, covering sectors such as automobiles, consumer electronics, liquor, and apparel. The remaining 10 cases concern the protection of geographical indications, special symbols, and official logos, such as unauthorized use of geographical indication product names, infringement of certification marks registered as geographical indications, unauthorized use of official logos, and infringement of exclusive rights in special symbols such as those of the 9th Asian Winter Games and the Shenzhou-15 manned space mission.
Of the 30 cases, 17 involved private enterprises and 9 involved foreign or joint-venture enterprises, with enforcement agencies located in 16 provinces or municipalities. This article briefly summarizes 10 representative trademark cases.
Case 1: Shanghai Putuo District Market Supervision Bureau Investigates Trademark Infringement of “Rolls-Royce” and Others
The Putuo District Market Supervision Bureau investigated a case involving unauthorized use of “Rolls-Royce” trademarks on imitation vehicles. More than 10 individuals knowingly leased these counterfeit vehicles and promoted them online as wedding cars, misleading consumers. The illegal turnover reached RMB 193,700. In August 2024, the bureau imposed a total fine of RMB 714,900 based on the Trademark Law.
Case 2: Songyang County Market Supervision Bureau in Zhejiang Cracks Down on Counterfeit “Louis Vuitton” and Other Luxury Brands
Songyang authorities uncovered a large-scale operation manufacturing and selling fake “LV,” “FENDI,” “DIOR,” and “BURBERRYS” scarves. In March 2024, over 63,000 counterfeit scarves and 340,000 packaging items were seized. Subsequent raids dismantled three production hubs, uncovering thousands of counterfeit goods worth over RMB 300 million across five provinces. The counterfeit network had operated since 2020. Due to the massive value, the case was transferred to criminal authorities. The court sentenced key figures to prison terms ranging from 7 months to 3 years and imposed forfeitures totaling RMB 10.111 million.
Case 3: Guangzhou Baiyun District Market Supervision Bureau Handles Livestreaming Sales of Counterfeit “LANCOME” and “SK-II” Products
Baiyun District authorities investigated an e-commerce company that facilitated the livestream sale of counterfeit “LANCOME,” “SK-II,” and other cosmetic brands, earning over RMB 1.2 million in commission. In December 2024, the bureau determined the company had facilitated trademark infringement and imposed a fine of RMB 420,000, granting leniency for the company’s cooperation.
Case 4: Shanghai Jiading District Market Supervision Bureau Investigates Malicious Trademark Filing by a Local Trading Company
Jiading District authorities found that a Shanghai trading company filed 75 trademark applications through an agent since 2019 without engaging in actual business operations. The company transferred many of the registered marks to clients as a “value-added” service. In May 2024, the bureau ruled the behavior constituted malicious registration and imposed a warning and RMB 5,000 fine.
Case 5: Changsha Municipal IP Bureau and Tianxin District Market Supervision Bureau Investigate Infringement of “ECOWATER” Trademark
Authorities in Changsha investigated a water service business for continuing to procure and sell “ECOWATER” filters after its trademark license had expired. The company could not provide valid purchase records. Technical comparison confirmed the products were counterfeit. In July 2024, the authorities confiscated 151 filters and 243 labels, fined the company RMB 10,000, and granted leniency due to its cooperation and settlement with the rights holder.
Case 6: Nanjing Gulou District Market Supervision Bureau Investigates Infringement of “STATE GRID CORPORATION OF CHINA” Trademark
Gulou District authorities found a training company using signs similar to “STATE GRID CORPORATION OF CHINA” on its websites and promotional materials, misleading trainees into believing it was affiliated with the national utility provider. The company earned RMB 289,700 in illegal revenue. In May 2024, it was fined RMB 434,600 and ordered to cease the infringement.
Case 7: Gongqingcheng Market Supervision Bureau in Jiangxi Investigates Infringement of “Peking University” Trademark
Authorities uncovered that an e-commerce company had manufactured and sold down jackets bearing counterfeit “Peking University” trademarks, with sales totaling RMB 133,700. The products were confirmed by the university as unauthorized. In February 2024, the bureau deemed it trademark infringement and transferred the case to the police. It is now under prosecutorial review.
Case 8: Suiyang District Market Supervision Bureau in Shangqiu, Henan, Investigates Reverse Counterfeiting of “Qianrengang” Brand
A local clothing store was found to have removed tags from generic brands and replaced them with counterfeit “Qianrengang” tags, hand bags, and labels on 404 jackets. Some labels included falsified company names. In April 2024, the authorities determined the case constituted reverse counterfeiting and false labeling, ordering confiscation of goods and imposing a fine of RMB 153,300.
Case 9: Xiaogan Market Supervision Bureau in Hubei Investigates Large-Scale Counterfeit Liquor Operation
Together with police, Xiaogan authorities raided two sites producing fake liquor under brands like “Baiyunbian,” “Wuliangye,” and others. They seized 2,318 bottles and over 3,200 packaging items worth RMB 1.2119 million. The goods were confirmed counterfeit by trademark owners. In December 2024, the bureau ruled it a criminal-level infringement and transferred the case to police.
Case 10: Lushi County Market Supervision Bureau in Sanmenxia, Henan, Investigates Misuse of “Daihe’an Wanmizhai” Trademark
Lushi County authorities found that a health company, though authorized to use the “Daihe’an Wanmizhai” trademark, had applied an unauthorized variant logo on product packaging that differed significantly from the registered mark, misleading the public. In November 2024, the conduct was deemed to constitute trademark impersonation, and a fine of RMB 50,000 was imposed.
[Comment]
The publication of typical IP administrative protection cases by the CNIPA serves multiple important purposes. It provides clear guidance to local enforcement agencies on how to handle complex IP disputes, strengthens the deterrent effect against infringement and malicious registration, and promotes legal awareness among enterprises and the public. By showcasing diverse enforcement scenarios across regions, sectors, and types of rights, these cases reflect China’s continued efforts to build a robust IP protection system that supports innovation, fair competition, and international confidence in its legal environment.