China's Top Court Signals Crackdown on Bad-Faith Trademark Filings

China's Supreme People's Court issued guidance on May 29, 2026, signaling intensified judicial scrutiny of systematic bad-faith trademark filings. The announcement emphasizes stricter enforcement to deter applicants who register marks in bad faith to exploit or block legitimate brand owners.

The SPC highlighted patterns of coordinated filings across multiple classes and jurisdictions as a growing concern. Courts are directed to examine evidence of intent, prior use by third parties, and the scale of filing activity when evaluating opposition and cancellation proceedings.

This development builds on existing legislative efforts to strengthen trademark protections. It aims to provide clearer standards for lower courts handling disputes involving squatting and abusive registrations.

Brand owners operating in China may benefit from enhanced remedies and faster resolutions in bad-faith cases. The guidance encourages submission of comprehensive evidence of bad faith during administrative and judicial reviews.

Sources: https://www.thelawyer.com/briefing/chinas-spc-signals-stronger-judicial-action-against-systematic-bad-faith-trademark-filings/ https://www.china-briefing.com/news/china-draft-trademark-law-amendment-2026-key-proposed-changes/