Premier Li Keqiang recently signed a State Council order to promulgate the “Regulations on Optimizing Business Environment” (hereinafter referred to as the “Regulations”), which will take effect on January 1, 2020.

Article 15 of the Regulations stipulates: The State shall establish a punitive damages system against intellectual property infringement, facilitate the establishment of a rapid synergy protection mechanism for IP, improve diversified IP dispute resolution mechanism and assistance mechanism, and strengthen protection of IP rights.

The state shall continue to deepen reform to facilitate trademark registration and patent application, and improve the efficiency of trademark and patent examination.