On 26 June 2026, China’s top legislature adopted the newly revised PRC Trademark Law, to take effect on 1 January 2027. It is the fifth amendment since the law came into force in 1983, and the most systematic to date — 9 chapters and 87 articles, against the current 8 chapters and 73 articles. 

The process moved quickly — a first reading and public consultation in December 2025, then adoption on second reading six months later. The revision sharpens the law’s purpose around regulating both the registration and the use of marks, with changes spanning online use, a unified application platform, supervision of trademark agencies, and the protection of Chinese enterprises’ interests abroad. Two themes stand out.

First, addressing the long-standing problem of registration without genuine use: an application filed with no intent to use and manifestly beyond normal business needs will be refused, and — where it causes an adverse effect — may draw a warning and a fine.

Second, a firmer line on deceptive or “scheming” marks, at both the registration and the use stage — a stricter examination gate for signs likely to mislead the public as to a product’s quality or origin; a channel for any party to report misleading use of a registered mark; and escalating liability running from an order to correct, to fines, to cancellation of the registration.

In all, the new law keeps the registration framework intact while reasserting use as its foundation, pairing stronger governance with stronger protection. How far the new and strengthened liability provisions reach in practice will depend in large part on the implementing regulations, judicial interpretations, and enforcement standards still to come.

With roughly six months until the law takes effect, brand owners have time to review their filing strategies and use records. Chang Tsi has followed this reform from the outset and will publish a clause-by-clause analysis once the official text is released.