Should the FTC’s proposed rule banning non-compete agreements be applied in an international context? The FTC failed to consider the international implications of its proposed rule. My comments explore the potential adverse impact on trade secret protection in China, on patent and trade secret strategies, and on competitiveness of US technology clusters.
Are Chinese Courts Out to “Nab” Western Technology: An Inconclusive WSJ Article

How accurate was a Feb. 20, 2023 article of the Wall Street Journal that reports on a new development in China’s efforts to nab Western technology? I discuss what the available data says and refute the notion that this development is new. It nonetheless remains concerning.
Legislative Roundup, and a Roundtable on the New Civil Procedure Law
A roundup of recent China IP-related legislative developments.
IPO Comments on CNIPA Provisions On Patent Application Behavior
The China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) published its Revised Draft Provisions Concerning Regulating Patent Application Behavior (Draft for Public Comment) (关于规范申请专利行为的若干规定修改草案[征求意见稿]) on May 6, 2021 (the “Draft Provisions”). The purpose of this […]
The NTE Report On Chinese IP And Its Relationships To Chinese Legal Developments

USTR’s recently released NTE report shows continuing lack of clarity over key Chinese legal terms. The report also declines to discuss commercial rule of law issues raised in last years Special 301 report. What role does commercial rule of law have in the Biden Administration’s trade diplomacy? The answer is unclear.
The WTO IP Cases That Weren’t
Does the WTO / TRIPS Agreement still have teeth on IP? This blog explores the possible claims that could be made involving TRIPS Agreement violations and China. The more important claims are complex, data-dependent, and would require a whole of government approach by the Biden adminisitration.
Treating the “Foreign” Differently in Trade Secret Enforcement
Both the proposed amendments to the Criminal Law and the administrative rules on trade secret enforcement establish differential treatment for trade secret enforcement when a foreign element is involved
IPO Comments on the Trade Secret Rules
The Intellectual Property Owners Association (IPO) has submitted bilingual comments to SAMR on the draft Trade Secret Rules 《商业秘密保护规定(征求意见稿) 》. The comments are found here and at the IPO website I blogged […]
Fact and Fiction in the US-China IP Trade War
The Asia Society of Northern California is sponsoring a free webinar October 8 from 5-6:30 PM PST on “Fact and Fiction in the US-China IP Trade War” as part of its “Seek […]
Translations of Civil Trade Secret and Criminal IP JI’s Available
The Gen Law Firm (己任律师事务所) has graciously provided us with translations of two recently released judicial interpretations with red-lining to compare with the prior public comment drafts. The civil trade secret judicial interpretation […]