CNIPA/US Bar LIAISON COUNCIL

Bridging U.S. & China Dialogue in Intellectual Property

The CNIPA/U.S. Bar Liaison Council is a collaborative organization dedicated to fostering dialogue and understanding on intellectual property (IP) matters between U.S. IP legal community and the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) — formerly known as the State Intellectual Property Office (SIPO). The Council serves as a platform for the exchange of ideas and information between its delegates and the CNIPA, facilitating candid and constructive discussions on patent and trademark issues.  

The Council’s signature event is its annual symposium, which brings together IP professionals, legal experts, and government representatives from both countries. These conferences, held alternately in China and the United States, provide a valuable forum for dialogue on emerging IP trends, legal developments, and areas of mutual concern.

Through ongoing engagement, the Council aims to facilitate communication on key developments in IP law and practice, encourages professional and technical exchange, and promotes mutual understanding between the two systems.  By offering insight and feedback from the U.S. bar to CNIPA, the Council contributes to more informed policymaking and strengthens trust between stakeholders.  

Any national, regional or local IP law association or bar association in the U.S. which is interested in CNIPA/SIPO patent and trademark matters may become a Member Association of the Council without any fees.

Past Events
Upcoming Events

The CNIPA/US Bar Liaison Council delegation (“Delegation”) paid a successful visit to the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) and other IP local organizations from Dec. 12 to Dec. 15, 2023.  Through a series of visits and conferences, the Delegation had a sneak peek of the then unreleased Implementing Regulations of the China Patent Law, witnessed CNIPA’s remarkable growth in the past years, and exchanged ideas and information with the CNIPA, IP practitioners, and industry leaders in China.  The visit to the CNIPA by the CNIPA/US Bar Liaison Council (“Liaison Council”) marks a significant milestone in the collaboration between the Liaison Council and the CNIPA.  It laid a solid foundation for future normalized cooperation and exchange post pandemic.  The commitment demonstrated by both parties signals a positive step towards building a more collaborative relationship and a communication channel between the US and China in the field of intellectual property.

Past events

Symposium on China-US Trademark Law and Practice in Guangzhou

The Symposium on China-US Trademark Law and Practice held in Guangzhou is co-hosted by the Liaison Council, the CNIPA, Guangdong Province Market Supervision Administration, Guangdong Province Intellectual Property Protection Center, Guangzhou Municipal IP Offices, and the Guangzhou Trademark Examination Collaboration Center.  About 100 IP professionals or industry leaders attended the conference which was the maximum capacity of the conference room.  

  • Bridging U.S. — China Dialogue in Intellectual Property