On November 25, 2025, China’s National Intellectual Property Administration announced it has launched a three-month campaign with the Ministry of Public Security and the State Administration for Market Regulation to crack down on illegal practices by intellectual property agencies and practitioners.
The rectification campaign will target “seriously illegal agencies and practitioners” and subject them to strict punishment under the law, according to the administration. Officials said typical cases of misconduct will be publicly exposed to deter future misconduct.
Authorities said enforcement will focus on falsifying patent applicant information, fabricating patent applications, handling large numbers of abnormal filings, and acting as agents for malicious trademark applications. The campaign also aims to weed out unqualified patent agents and those soliciting business through improper means. Cases that constitute crimes will be transferred to public security organs for prosecution.
In addition to enforcement, regulators will require agencies and practitioners to conduct self-inspections and rectify irregular practices. That includes addressing the renting or lending of agency qualifications, illegal solicitation on internet platforms, and cleaning up agencies that obtained qualifications fraudulently or no longer meet legal requirements.
Officials said the campaign is intended to promote integrity and compliance in the industry, strengthen professional responsibility, and accelerate the high-quality development of China’s IP agency sector.
The full text is available in Chinese on the CNIPA website.
- Cathy Li
