Intellectual Property

China SAMR Launches Applications for Fourth Batch of National Trade Secret Protection Innovation Pilots

China’s State Administration for Market Regulation has opened applications for the fourth batch of national trade secret protection innovation pilots, with provincial recommendations due by 26 June 2026. The programme strengthens local trade secret enforcement capacity and governance, signalling tighter protection of confidential know-how in key industries and greater support for Chinese firms’ IP risk management.

16 May 2026, 14:47samr.gov.cnChina

EU Council Presidency Circulates Discussion Paper on SPC Reform Package

The Council Presidency has circulated a non-public discussion paper on the EU supplementary protection certificate reform package for medicinal and plant protection products ahead of a 31 March 2026 Council meeting. This indicates that negotiations on the four SPC proposals are active at Council level, so companies relying on SPC-based exclusivity should monitor the file for future changes even though no new obligations or deadlines arise from this step.

14 May 2026, 18:55consilium.europa.euEuropean Union

European Parliament Legislative Resolution on Compulsory Patent Licensing for Crisis Management Adopted

The EU has completed the parliamentary phase for Regulation (EU) 2025/2645, creating an EU-level framework for compulsory licensing of patents in crisis situations and amending the existing pharmaceutical compulsory-licensing regime. This confirms that patent holders for crisis-relevant products may face compulsory licences under defined EU crisis procedures, making this a strategic governance and supply-risk consideration rather than a day-to-day compliance obligation.

8 May 2026, 07:00eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

EU Council Working Party Meeting On SPC Recast And Unitary SPC Proposals

The Council of the EU has scheduled a late‑March 2026 Working Party on Intellectual Property meeting to review key proposals reforming supplementary protection certificates for medicinal and plant protection products, alongside related changes to EU trade mark, paediatric medicines, customs IP enforcement, and geographical indications rules. This signals continued momentum on SPC and GI reforms that will shape future exclusivity periods, IP strategy, and market access conditions for pharmaceuticals and plant protection products once the new regulations are agreed and implemented.

15 Apr 2026, 13:27data.consilium.europa.euEuropean Union

U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) Seeks Public‑Interest Input on Proposed Exclusion of Imported Ink Cartridges

The U.S. International Trade Commission is seeking public interest comments by April 30, 2026, on proposed import bans for certain ink cartridges and components. Stakeholders should assess the risk of market-wide supply disruptions and restricted competition if the Commission issues broad general exclusion orders.

10 Apr 2026, 10:49govinfo.govUnited States

Switzerland IPI Rejects Deletion Request for "APASSIONATA" Trademark

The Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property has upheld the registration of the APASSIONATA trademark following a rejected deletion request in March 2026. This case-specific enforcement confirms existing intellectual property protections in Switzerland without altering broader regulatory frameworks or compliance requirements for other market participants.

4 Apr 2026, 10:31fedlex.data.admin.chSwitzerland

France National Assembly Tables Bill No. 2600 On Screening Of Foreign Investments In Strategic Sectors

France introduced Bill No. 2600 in March 2026 to significantly broaden the screening of foreign investments in strategic sectors including energy, health, and critical raw materials. This proposal signals a shift toward stricter oversight of cross-border M&A with potential mandates for R&D localization and patent protection to safeguard national economic sovereignty.

29 Mar 2026, 17:52assemblee-nationale.frFrance

South Korea MFDS, KIPO And Customs Launch K-Beauty Safety Plan And Counterfeit Cosmetics Crackdown

South Korea is implementing a coordinated regulatory framework for cosmetics that introduces mandatory safety assessments, electronic labeling, and enhanced enforcement against counterfeit goods. This shift toward rigorous post-market surveillance requires brands to strengthen safety documentation and supply chain oversight to ensure continued compliance and market access.

28 Mar 2026, 20:32en.sedaily.comSouth Korea

US House Bill Proposes National Institute for Biomedical Research and Development (H.R. 7854)

US House Bill H.R. 7854 proposes a $90 billion federal institute to conduct full-cycle drug and device R&D with government ownership of all resulting intellectual property. This initiative would fundamentally disrupt the life sciences sector by mandating public data sharing, cost-plus licensing, and potential state-led manufacturing.

28 Mar 2026, 09:34govinfo.govUnited States

Sweden Issues National Guidelines for Responsible Internationalisation and Research Security

Sweden has introduced national guidelines for responsible internationalisation to manage security risks in research and innovation collaborations. Organizations must integrate these guidelines into R&D governance to ensure compliance with export controls, foreign investment screening, and national security requirements.

26 Mar 2026, 19:28vr.seSweden

Norway Proposes Ratification of EFTA–Malaysia Economic Partnership Agreement

Norway has formally initiated the ratification of the EFTA-Malaysia Economic Partnership Agreement to enhance trade and regulatory alignment. This development will streamline market access for goods while embedding sustainability and technical standards into the bilateral trade corridor.

24 Mar 2026, 12:00regjeringen.noNorwayMalaysia

US House Bill (H.R. 7693, Leo’s Law) Proposes 180-Day Extensions to Orphan Drug Exclusivity Periods

US House Bill H.R. 7693 proposes a 180-day extension of market exclusivity for orphan drugs whose development was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. If enacted, this will delay generic and biosimilar competition for specific rare-disease treatments, extending revenue windows for manufacturers while impacting long-term market access strategies.

14 Mar 2026, 08:31govinfo.govUnited States

USITC Seeks Public-Interest Comments on Complaint Concerning OTC Lidocaine Patches (DN 3894)

The USITC is soliciting public interest comments following a Section 337 complaint that could lead to an import ban on certain over-the-counter lidocaine patches. Impacted companies should evaluate supply chain resilience and market access risks as the investigation may result in exclusion orders against several international manufacturers.

14 Mar 2026, 07:57federalregister.govUnited States

USITC Issues Final No Violation Determination In Investigation No. 337-TA-1410 On Disposable Vaporizer Devices

The US International Trade Commission concluded its investigation into disposable vaporizer devices in March 2026 with a final determination of no violation. This ruling removes the threat of exclusion orders or import bans, ensuring uninterrupted market access and legal certainty for the US disposable vape industry.

13 Mar 2026, 13:25public-inspection.federalregister.govUnited States

Slovenia Drafts Position on EU BPR Data Protection Extension Proposal

EU member states are advancing a proposal to extend data protection periods for biocidal active substances still undergoing review beyond 2025. This extension will safeguard original data investments but delay generic market entry, requiring firms to reassess product authorization timelines and data-sharing costs.

13 Mar 2026, 06:35eur-lex.europa.euSloveniaEuropean Union

US ITC Rescinds Section 337 Remedial Orders for Certain Opaque Polymers

The US International Trade Commission has rescinded import and sales restrictions on certain opaque polymers following a settlement in a long-standing trade secret dispute. This decision restores US market access for previously excluded polymer products and concludes significant intellectual property litigation within the specialty chemicals sector.

12 Mar 2026, 09:52public-inspection.federalregister.govUnited States

Brazil Chamber Bill PL 68/2026 Proposes Public-Interest Status for Tirzepatide Pens to Enable Patent Breaks

Brazil is fast-tracking legislation to declare tirzepatide-based medicines as public-interest products to enable compulsory patent licensing. This move signals a significant shift toward price-control interventions and patent challenges that could impact market access for high-demand therapies across the region.

11 Mar 2026, 16:03camara.leg.brBrazil

US PTO Seeks Comment on Deposit of Biological Materials Information Collection (OMB 0651-0022)

The USPTO is renewing the administrative framework for depositing biological materials in patent applications with a comment period closing April 8, 2026. This extension maintains the essential infrastructure for biotechnology intellectual property protection and ensures continuity in meeting patent disclosure requirements.

10 Mar 2026, 17:35federalregister.govUnited States

EU Council Mandate to Amend Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR) to Extend Data Protection Periods

EU authorities are fast-tracking an extension of biocidal active substance data protection periods to 2030 to compensate for delays in the review programme. This move preserves market exclusivity for original dossier submitters while significantly delaying market access and increasing costs for generic competitors.

8 Mar 2026, 14:19data.consilium.europa.euEuropean Union

European Commission Tasks Expert To Study Intellectual Property In EU Public Procurement

The European Commission has launched a scoping study to determine if intellectual property rights should be explicitly regulated in upcoming revisions to EU public procurement laws. This development suggests a move toward standardized IP ownership in public contracts, which may impact how companies protect innovation and leverage proprietary solutions in government tenders.

4 Mar 2026, 13:53ec.europa.euEuropean UnionNetherlands