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  • 2026-05-07
  • 4 minutes Read
The Judicial Interpretation of the Supreme People’s Court on the Application of Punitive Damages in Hearing Civil Cases of Intellectual Property Infringement shall come into force on May 1, 2026.

The Judicial Interpretation of the Supreme People’s Court on the Application of Punitive Damages in Hearing Civil Cases of Intellectual Property Infringement ([2021] No. 4) prescribes the adjudicative elements for applying punitive damages in IPR civil cases and sets the benchmark for judicial discretion of judges. On April 17, 2026, the Supreme People’s Court issued the revised version of this judicial interpretation ([2026] No. 7), which shall take effect on May 1, 2026. Hereinafter is a brief overview of the key amendments of [2026] No. 7. Determination of Intent in IPR Infringement Article 3 of [2021] No. 4 stipulates five…

  • 2026-05-07
  • 5 minutes Read
Standards Are Updated, Risks Are Coming

National standards, industry standards, local standards, enterprise standards and association standards serve as the yardsticks for product quality. National mandatory standards must be strictly followed. Local standards are often categorized into the scope of quasi-mandatory standards based on local regulatory provisions. In cases where enterprise standards are unclear, industry standards may also become an important adjudication basis once quality disputes arise between enterprises over customized product transactions. Therefore, enterprises shall keep track of applicable standards. Once an update is released, they need to verify relevant matters and formulate response measures, which mainly include the following aspects: Does the new standard…

  • 2026-05-07
  • 4 minutes Read
When does a collective employment contract take effect?

A collective employment contract is a written agreement concluded by an employer and employees through collective negotiation on labor-related matters in accordance with the law. Since a collective employment contract does not require individual consent from each employee but applies to all employees, its conclusion and entry into force are subject to certain restrictions. According to relevant provisions, the procedures for the conclusion and entry into force of a collective employment contract are as follows: (1) Drafting Stage: Representatives of the employer and the employees reach a consensus through negotiation to formulate the draft. (2) Voting Stage: The draft shall…

  • 2026-04-01
  • 4 minutes Read
“Ecological and Environmental Code” will take effect on August 15, 2026

On March 12, 2026, the Fourth Session of the 14th National People’s Congress voted to adopt the “Ecological and Environmental Code”. This is the second law bearing the title “Code” in China, following the “Civil Code”. Upon the entry into force of this Code, ten laws shall be simultaneously repealed. They are the “Environmental Protection Law”, “Law on Environmental Impact Assessment”, “Marine Environmental Protection Law”, “Law on the Prevention and Control of Air Pollution”, “Law on the Prevention and Control of Water Pollution”, “Law on the Prevention and Control of Soil Pollution”, “Law on the Prevention and Control of Environmental…

  • 2026-04-01
  • 6 minutes Read
Developments in Export Controls Against Japan and Corporate Countermeasures

Before discussing export controls targeting Japan, it is necessary to note the background, that is, since 2024, from the perspective of national security, China has accelerated legislation and continuously strengthened overall export controls on rare earths and dual-use items. Major regulations are listed below: Date Name of Regulation 2024/06/22 Regulations on the Administration of Rare Earths 2024/09/30 Regulations on the Administration of Export of Dual-Use Items 2024/11/15 Export Control List of Dual-Use Items 2025/04/04 Announcement No. 18 of 2025 of the Ministry of Commerce and the General Administration of Customs: Decision on Implementing Export Controls on Certain Medium and Heavy…

  • 2026-04-01
  • 5 minutes Read
Be Caution When Transferring Employees to or from Positions Exposed to Occupational Disease Hazards

Article 8 of the “Labor Contract Law” stipulates: “When recruiting a worker, an employer shall truthfully inform the worker of the job content, working conditions, workplace, occupational hazards, production safety status, labor remuneration, and other information that the worker requests to know; …” Because of this provision, many employers inform workers of matters relating to occupational hazards when recruiting them for positions exposed to such hazards. In addition, Paragraph 1 of Article 33 of the “Law on the Prevention and Control of Occupational Diseases” provides: “When concluding a labor contract with a worker, an employer shall truthfully inform the worker…

  • 2026-03-02
  • 3 minutes Read
The revised “Administrative Measures for the Recognition and Registration of Technology Contracts” takes effect on March 1, 2026

The “Administrative Measures for the Recognition and Registration of Technology Contracts” was first issued and implemented in 1990, and revised in 2000. On February 9, 2026, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology released the second revised version of this Measures. Recognition and registration of technology contracts are not mandatory requirements, instead they are conducted on a voluntary application basis. What are the benefits of such procedures? Similar to copyright registration, its main value lies in proving ownership and the formation date of rights in the event of infringement disputes. If procedures have been completed, the registration certificate will serve…

  • 2026-03-02
  • 3 minutes Read
One-to-one correspondence between the Principal Contract and its Guarantee Contract?

Company A and Company B have long-term business relations. To secure debt recovery and simplify procedures, Company A requires the guarantor to issue a general guarantee undertaking, covering all debts between the two companies. Although this practice is similar to the “maximum amount guarantee” stipulated in the “Civil Code”, the differences are obvious: the latter requires a definite term and generally sets a maximum limit on the creditor’s claim. Then whether Company A’s requirement is valid? In judicial practice, the key to determining the validity lies in whether there is an identifiable main contract or fundamental principal claim. Firstly, if…

  • 2026-03-02
  • 3 minutes Read
Changes in the Criteria for Defining “Material Changes in Objective Circumstances”

Article 40, Item 3 of the “Labor Contract Law” stipulates: “If the objective circumstances on which the labor contract was concluded have undergone material changes, rendering the labor contract unperformable, and the employer and the employee fail to reach an agreement on amending the labor contract through negotiation, the employer may rescind the labor contract by notifying the employee in writing 30 days in advance or by paying the employee an additional month’s salary.” However, how to define the “material changes in objective circumstances” has long been a difficult issue in practice, and employers are often anxious about rescinding labor…

  • 2026-02-03
  • 3 minutes Read
The “Law on the Safety of Hazardous Chemicals” shall come into force on May 1, 2026

Given the grave safety implications of hazardous chemicals, the state has long adopted a stringent regulatory stance, forming the following regulatory framework: Time Title of the Regulations Notes 2002 Regulations on the Safety Administration of Hazardous Chemicals Revised twice, in 2011 and 2013 2002 Measures for the Administration of the Registration of Hazardous Chemicals Currently the 2012 version 2002 Measures for the Administration of Hazardous Chemicals Business Licenses Revised twice, in 2012 and 2015 2004 Measures for the Implementation of Work Safety Licenses for Hazardous Chemicals Production Enterprises Revised twice, in 2011 and 2015 / Departmental rules on hazardous chemicals…