Navigating China’s Evolving IP Landscape with the Bay Area Council

For California companies, exporting to China offers major growth potential. But success requires more than ambition. Intellectual property (IP) exposure, regulatory complexity, and the need for credible partners make preparation essential.

The Bay Area Council provides that preparation. With offices in Shanghai and Beijing, and through programs such as the California Pavilion at the China International Import Expo (CIIE), we help companies protect innovation, build credibility, and connect with the right partners.

China’s IP environment is improving but remains complex. In 2024, courts resolved nearly 494,000 cases, with punitive damages awarded in 460 of them — a 44% increase year on year. Foreign-related cases rose by more than 50% in early 2025. Yet 43% of U.S. companies still cite inconsistent enforcement as a concern. This dual reality highlights why local expertise matters.

Practical steps for exporters:

• Plan early: File trademarks, including Chinese-character marks, under the first-to-file system. Build patent portfolios aligned with new rules on term extensions and design protection.
• Enforce when necessary: Remedies are available, but outcomes require preparation and trusted local guidance. California firms are already active. In 2024, Tigo Energy filed a patent case in Shanghai over its solar technology, while Tesla prevailed in a trademark dispute. In 2025, Bayer secured RMB 24.3 million in a pharmaceutical patent case. Through local government affairs services, BAC can support California companies’ sustainable success.
• Protect online and grow sales: Platforms like Tmall, JD, and Douyin dominate commerce. BAC supports brand protection and helps establish the California Store through partnerships with member companies like MEBO Group, a curated e-commerce presence connecting California brands with Chinese buyers.
• Pair visibility with access: At national conferences and expos such as the China International Import Expo (CIIE), California companies meet vetted partners and regulators on a trusted platform, supported by BAC-led delegations.

With stronger laws but uneven enforcement, companies need both preparation and presence. The BAC is that partner — helping California firms safeguard innovation and capture growth in China. To learn more about exhibiting at the California Pavilion at CIIE or working with BAC’s China offices, contact Global Initiatives Director Laurent Arribe.