New Trademark Law to take effect at the start of new year

The newly revised Trademark Law, which regulates trademark registration and streamlines authorization procedures, will take effect on Jan 1, according to China's top legislature.

The amended law was passed at the conclusion of the latest session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, the country's top legislative body.

As a crucial component of intellectual property, trademarks serve not only as symbols of a company's reputation and integrity but also as essential tools for businesses to compete in the marketplace. The revised law, consisting of 87 articles across nine chapters, aims to address prominent issues in the trademark field.

The new revision regulates trademark registration, simplifies the trademark authorization process, strengthens trademark management, and enhances trademark protection. These changes are intended to support businesses in more effectively utilizing trademarks in the market while providing stronger protection for the legitimate rights of trademark holders.

More than 4.2 million trademarks were registered in China in 2025, with the average examination period trimmed to just four months, the China National Intellectual Property Administration said in a news release earlier this year.

By the end of 2025, the number of valid trademark registrations on the mainland had surged past 49.87 million, according to the administration.