On October 16, a press conference was held by the Harbin Intermediate People’s Court to discuss the status of agricultural-related intellectual property adjudications in Heilongjiang Province from 2020 to 2024.
According to the court’s report, a total of 117 agricultural-related intellectual property cases were resolved across civil, criminal, and administrative categories during this period. Notably, disputes over trademark infringement and counterfeit trademarks accounted for 48.86% of these cases, while conflicts involving new plant varieties made up 34.19%. Patent disputes represented 10.26%, and other types, including unfair competition, constituted 6.69%. The number of cases regarding plant variety rights surged from 3 in 2020 to 16 in 2024, marking an increase of 433.33%. Among the resolved cases, the withdrawal rate stood at 41.38%.
In recent years, the Heilongjiang courts have strengthened judicial efforts to combat agricultural intellectual property infringements, enhancing litigation guidance and risk notifications, as well as implementing model judgments for similar cases. These actions aim to protect the legitimate rights of intellectual property holders and maintain market order, achieving a harmonious balance between social outcomes and legal effectiveness.
Furthermore, to actively engage in the broader protection of agricultural intellectual property, the provincial courts have extended their judicial functions to create a more conducive environment for agricultural development. Collaborations have been established with seven agencies, including the Provincial Public Security Department, the Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office, to jointly produce an implementation plan targeting counterfeit and substandard agricultural products. The courts have also signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs to enhance the synergy between administrative enforcement and judicial rulings regarding agricultural intellectual property protection. Additionally, guidance has been issued in partnership with the Provincial Market Supervision Administration to strengthen the protection and regulation of the “Wuchang Rice” brand, ensuring the integrity of its reputation. The courts have shared expertise with the Provincial Intellectual Property Protection Center, inviting university scholars as technical investigators to improve the accuracy of factual determinations in technical intellectual property cases.
Looking ahead, the Heilongjiang courts are committed to high-quality adjudication of agricultural intellectual property cases to support the province’s role as a cornerstone for national grain stability and to accelerate agricultural modernization efforts.
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