China Strengthens IP Protection, Procedural Hurdles Remain
Experts say foreign firms still face procedural barriers, including evidence notarisation, despite stronger intellectual property enforcement in China.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Language Learning
Live Poll
Do you think foreign companies can fairly protect their patents and trademarks in China?
Experts speaking at the opening of the 23rd Seminar on Intellectual Property in Macau said China has significantly strengthened intellectual property protection in recent decades. Foreign companies still face procedural barriers, particularly in presenting and authenticating evidence.
Why it matters
China has become one of the world's innovation leaders, making its IP framework relevant to firms worldwide. Procedural requirements such as evidence notarisation can make infringement actions difficult for foreign small and medium-sized enterprises.
The seminar was the 23rd edition of its kind, held in Macau. Enforcement has expanded from three major cities to much of China, while litigation among Chinese companies covering patents, trademarks and copyright has grown.
The players
Anselm Kamperman Sanders
Professor of Intellectual Property Law at Maastricht University and Associate Professor at the Faculty of Law at Jinan University in Guangzhou.
Christopher Heath
Member of the Boards of Appeal at the European Patent Office, a body that hears appeals in European patent matters.
The details
Anselm Kamperman Sanders, Professor of Intellectual Property Law at Maastricht University and Associate Professor at Jinan University in Guangzhou, attended the seminar and commented on the state of Chinese IP enforcement. Christopher Heath, a member of the Boards of Appeal at the European Patent Office, also contributed to the discussion, which addressed evidence requirements that complicate infringement actions for foreign firms.
Timeline
Over the last ten or twenty years: significant improvement in foreign firms' IP enforcement landscape in China.
November 4, 2026: experts' comments published on the opening of the 23rd Seminar on Intellectual Property in Macau.
Legal Context
China's push for domestic innovation has pushed its courts and enforcement bodies to expand beyond Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. As Chinese firms begin defending their IP assets internationally, litigation involving them abroad is expected to grow.
Foreign companies operating in or selling into China should plan for notarised evidence requirements before launching an infringement action. Firms can prepare documentation early to avoid procedural delays in enforcement.
The takeaway
Stronger IP protection in China does not remove procedural barriers for foreign companies. Firms that prepare authenticated evidence in advance are better positioned to enforce their rights.
Further reading
Explore more Language Learning coverage for context on how cross-border communication shapes legal and business practice.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Macau Business.
Live Poll
Do you think foreign companies can fairly protect their patents and trademarks in China?
