CNIPA Launches Comprehensive Self-Inspection and Rectification Campaign for Patent and Trademark Agencies

Recently, the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) has issued the Circular on Organizing and Carrying out a Comprehensive Self-Inspection and Rectification Campaign for Patent and Trademark Agencies (the "Circular").

According to the Circular, the targets of this self-inspection and rectification campaign include all patent agencies, trademark agencies, and law firms engaged in patent or trademark agency services within each jurisdiction. The scope of self-inspection by an agency shall cover all of its branches as well as all patent agents and trademark agency practitioners. The Circular specifies eight areas of self-inspection, including failure to meet the criteria for practice licensing and filing, and the unlawful practice of license lending by patent agents, among others. Provincial intellectual property administrations will supervise and guide agencies in carrying out self-inspection and rectification and strengthen categorized handling of relevant issues. For agencies that still fail to meet licensing or filing requirements after rectification, they shall be urged to promptly complete deregistration procedures. Agencies that engage in perfunctory responses, falsification, or refuse to make corrections during the self-inspection process shall be placed under key supervision, with intensified regulatory measures taken as appropriate, including regulatory talks and orders for rectification.



(Source: https://www.cnipa.gov.cn/art/2025/12/11/art_75_203044.html)

Note: The link to the Chinese official website of the document is for your reference.