Newly Revised Trademark Law Explicitly Tightens Supervision of Trademark Agencies

WISECODE Take

Many Taiwanese business owners operating in mainland China mistakenly view trademark agency chaos as a mere market norm, overlooking a fundamental shift in regulatory enforcement. On June 26, 2026, the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress reviewed and approved the newly revised Trademark Law, with a press conference on July 29 emphasizing stricter supervision of agencies. This marks the first comprehensive revision since the law's implementation in 1983, signaling a systematic crackdown on non-compliant agencies. For businesses filing legitimately, this reduces the risk of bad-faith registrations and carries no negative impact. However, those who previously used low-cost, questionable local agencies must beware of application halts due to agency disqualification. We recommend two actions: first, audit ongoing trademark applications in China to verify agency credentials; second, prioritize reputable, professional firms for future filings to avoid complications from non-compliant agents. As the agency market consolidates, choosing compliant partners is key to securing brand assets.