Sponsored by the US-based law firm Oblon, Spivak and Unitalen Attorneys at Law, a symposium on intellectual property litigation trends was held on June 1 and 3 in Beijing and Shanghai respectively.

The symposium aimed at providing Chinese companies with a close look at US intellectual property litigation and procedures and, through in-depth discussion with lawyers, an understanding of litigation strategies and means that fit corporations.

Lawyers from the two firms gave detailed presentations on US patent disputes, the “discovery” process in US lawsuits, International Trade Commission (ITC) proceedings, Chinese patent lawsuits and reexaminations before the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Mr. Stephen Kunin, former vice director of the USPTO, gave a lecture on how to use the reexamination procedure strategically, as well as current trends in this regard.

As Chinese companies enter international markets, they have had frequent contacts with the ITC in recent years. Lawyers from Oblon, Spivak explained at the symposium the whole procedure of an ITC lawsuit and provided information on related litigation practice.

Discussions were also held on trends in Chinese patents, patent cases, and related rules and their applications concerning the determination of infringement, evidence and compensation.