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China Tightens Crackdown on Deceptive Trademarks

Published: Apr. 24, 2026  12:09 p.m.  GMT+8
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Photo: VCG
Photo: VCG

China’s top intellectual property regulator is intensifying a crackdown on deceptive trademarks that masquerade as product features to mislead consumers.

The regulatory tightening targets a widespread industry practice where consumer brands exploit trademark rule loopholes to make false claims about ingredients or production methods, prompting authorities to draft stricter penalties into law.

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  • China's CNIPA invalidated 3,351 deceptive trademarks misleading on ingredients/production.
  • Deputy head Rui Wenbiao: rejects new apps, trains examiners; draft Trademark Law adds penalties, encourages reports.
  • Examples: "Song You" juice (2.7% pomelo), Jinmailang "Hand-Pulled" noodles (not handmade).
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Who’s Who
Jinmailang
Instant noodle maker Jinmailang used the registered trademark "Hand-Pulled" for noodles that were not handmade, misleading consumers. Its chairman, Fan Xianguo, announced the company would stop using the trademark amid public backlash and regulatory crackdown.
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