2026 National Intellectual Property Publicity Week| Strengthen intellectual property protection in emerging fields and accelerate the development of new productive forces

April 26, 2026 is the 26th World Intellectual Property Day. The publicity week starts on April 20 every year and ends on April 26, World Intellectual Property Day, for a week‑long period. The theme of this year's Publicity Week is "Strengthening the protection of intellectual property rights in emerging fields and accelerating the development of new productive forces." Let's learn relevant knowledge about intellectual property together.

What is intellectual property

Intellectual property rights refer to the protection measures for knowledge creation stipulated by law, mainly including patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, geographical indications, etc. They are all important results of innovation and creation and an important source of wealth for enterprises and individuals.

What does intellectual property include

Article 123 of the Civil Code of the People's Republic of China, which came into force on January 1, 2021, stipulates:

"Civil subjects enjoy intellectual property rights according to law. Intellectual property rights are the exclusive rights enjoyed by the right holder in accordance with the law in respect of the following objects:

(1) works;

(2) inventions, utility models, and designs;

(3) trademarks;

(4) geographical indications;

(5) trade secrets;

(6) Integrated circuit layout‑design;

(7) New plant varieties;

(8) Other objects specified by law."

Why protect intellectual property rights

01 Promote innovation and development

The protection of intellectual property rights can encourage innovation and invention and stimulate people's creativity and innovative spirit. Only when intellectual property rights are protected can companies and individuals have the motivation and confidence to invest in scientific and technological and cultural innovation.

02 Maintain fair competition

The protection of intellectual property rights prevents others from copying, embezzling or imitating others' creations and ensures that the rights and interests of innovators and creators are fully protected. This helps maintain fairness and order in market competition.

03 Protect consumer rights

The protection of intellectual property rights ensures the quality and safety of products and services, thereby protecting the health and rights of consumers. With intellectual property rights protected, consumers can purchase and use various products and services with confidence.

How to protect intellectual property rights

01 Register patents and trademarks

Patents and trademarks are the most common forms of intellectual property. Companies and individuals can protect their innovations and brands by registering patents and trademarks. Registration of patents and trademarks requires submitting an application to relevant institutions, and rights protection can be obtained only after review and approval.

02 Establish a trade secret protection system

Trade secrets are various trade secret information generated during the business process of a company, including technical secrets, business plans, customer information, etc. Enterprises can protect trade secrets by establishing confidentiality systems, signing confidentiality agreements, and restricting employees from leaving office to prevent them from being leaked and used by others.

03 Comply with copyright regulations

Copyright is a form of intellectual property that protects literary, artistic, and scientific works. When conducting literary, artistic, and scientific creations, enterprises and individuals need to abide by copyright laws and regulations, such as applying for copyright, clarifying the scope of copyright, respecting the copyright of others, etc., to ensure that their creations are legally protected.

04 Strengthen awareness of intellectual property management and protection

Enterprises and individuals should strengthen their awareness of intellectual property management and protection, such as formulating intellectual property protection plans and strengthening internal management. Strictly control the dissemination and use of information to ensure the safety and protection of intellectual property rights.

What are the main violations of intellectual property rights

‑ Use identical or similar trademarks, special signs, patents, works and other creative results in production, operation, advertising, publicity, performances and other activities without authorization;

‑ Forge or manufacture identical or similar trademark logos, special signs or sell forged or unauthorized trademark logos and special signs;

‑ Use identical or similar trademarks, special signs, patents, works and other creative results in disguise;

‑ Unauthorized use of identical or similar trademarks, special signs, patents, works and other creative achievements in the registration of enterprises, social organizations, public institutions, private non‑enterprise units and in the names of websites, domain names, buildings, structures, places, etc.;

‑ Provide convenient conditions such as location, storage, transportation, mailing, concealment, etc. for infringement;

‑ Other infringement in violation of relevant national laws and regulations.

What are the current laws and regulations for intellectual property protection in China

Intellectual Property Protection Law, Patent Law of the People's Republic of China, Detailed Rules for the Implementation of the Patent Law of the People's Republic of China, Regulations on the Protection of Integrated Circuit Layout Designs, Regulations on Collective Management of Copyright, Trademark Law of the People's Republic of China, Implementation Regulations of the Trademark Law of the People's Republic of China, Copyright Law of the People's Republic of China, Implementation Regulations of the Copyright Law of the People's Republic of China, Computer Software Protection Regulations, Customs Protection Regulations of the People's Republic of China, Intellectual Property Rights Protection Regulations of the People's Republic of China, Implementation Measures of the Customs of the People's Republic of China on Intellectual Property Protection, etc.

Consequences of violating the Intellectual Property Law

Article 40 Anyone who counterfeits another person's registered trademark and constitutes a crime shall be investigated for criminal responsibility in accordance with the law in addition to compensating the losses of the infringed person. Whoever forges or manufactures another person's registered trademark logos without authorization or sells forged or manufactured registered trademark logos, which constitutes a crime, shall be investigated for criminal liability in accordance with the law in addition to compensating the losses of the infringed person. If selling goods that are known to be counterfeit registered trademarks constitutes a crime, criminal responsibility shall be investigated in accordance with the law in addition to compensating the losses of the infringed person.

Source: State Intellectual Property Office

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