By Seven Liu
In a rare but forceful move, the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) has permanently banned three prominent trademark agencies (Beijing Zhonglian Aizhi, Beijing Xiruan Zhigu, and Zhongji Xiruan Beijing) from engaging in trademark representation services. The decision follows years of systemic misconduct involving bribery of government and non-government personnel to secure illegal advantages in trademark examination and management.
What Happened?
Between 2013 and 2021, these agencies engaged in repeated acts of bribery, including:
Paying off trademark examiners to influence review outcomes;
Using intermediaries to access and manipulate official trademark data;
Arranging for unauthorized issuance of electronic notices and registration certificates;
Intervening in the allocation and processing of trademark applications.
Their actions were confirmed by a criminal ruling issued by the Wendeng District People’s Court in Weihai, Shandong, in December 2023.
The court convicted all three companies of corporate bribery and, in some cases, bribing non-state personnel.
The Consequences
As a result:
CNIPA issued administrative penalty decisions Nos. 1, 2, and 3 [2025], officially terminating all trademark agency activities by these firms.
The agencies have been listed in the “Seriously Illegal and Dishonest Entities” registry maintained by China’s Market Supervision Authority for a period of three years (May 7, 2025 – May 6, 2028).
All information about their misconduct is now public on the National Enterprise Credit Information Publicity System.
The decision remains effective during any appeal or litigation process.
Legal Basis
These penalties are grounded in:
- Article 68(1)(2) of the Trademark Law: Prohibiting unfair methods that disrupt the trademark agency market;
- Trademark Agency Supervision Regulation: Empowering CNIPA to suspend or revoke agency qualification;
- Market Supervision Trustworthiness Rules: Allowing blacklisting and additional regulatory oversight.
Why This Matters
This is one of the strongest enforcement actions ever taken by CNIPA against trademark agencies, underscoring:
The zero-tolerance stance on corruption in IP services;
A clear signal to the industry that market access depends on integrity;
Enhanced alignment with China’s broader efforts to improve its IP governance and business environment.
It also highlights the growing regulatory expectation that IP agents serve as gatekeepers, not facilitators, of legal abuse.
Conclusion
For rights holders, foreign investors, and professionals in the IP ecosystem, this case marks a turning point. Compliance, ethics, and transparency are no longer soft expectations: they are hard prerequisites for participation in China’s IP services market.
For updates and compliance guidance, feel free to contact Allasya Law & IP or follow our commentary on China's evolving trademark regulatory environment.