China says will tighten controls over intellectual property theft; Reuters, August 24, 2017

Reuters; China says will tighten controls over intellectual property theft

"China will tighten controls over intellectual property to provide better opportunities for foreign firms, the commerce ministry said on Friday.

The government’s crackdown on intellectual property violations will focus on trademark registration abuse and business secret theft, Wang Shouwen, a vice commerce minister told reporters at a press briefing in Beijing, adding that China’s IP protection was “not perfect” as a developing country.

U.S. President Donald Trump this month authorized an inquiry into China’s alleged theft of intellectual property -- the first direct trade measure by his administration against Beijing."

China’s Intellectual Property Theft Must Stop; New York Times, August 15, 2017

Dennis C. Blair and Keith Alexander, New York Times; China’s Intellectual Property Theft Must Stop

"Perhaps most concerning, China has targeted the American defense industrial base. Chinese spies have gone after private defense contractors and subcontractors, national laboratories, public research universities, think tanks and the American government itself. Chinese agents have gone after the United States’ most significant weapons, such as the F-35 Lightning, the Aegis Combat System and the Patriot missile system; illegally exported unmanned underwater vehicles and thermal-imaging cameras; and stolen documents related to the B-52 bomber, the Delta IV rocket, the F-15 fighter and even the Space Shuttle.

President Trump’s action on Monday acknowledges the broad scope of the challenge. Central to Chinese cybersecurity law is the “secure and controllable” standard, which, in the name of protecting software and data, forces companies operating in China to disclose critical intellectual property to the government and requires that they store data locally. Even before this Chinese legislation, some three-quarters of Chinese imported software was pirated. Now, despite the law, American companies may be even more vulnerable."

Trump administration goes after China over intellectual property, advanced technology; Washington Post, August 14, 2017

Ana Swanson, Washington Post; Trump administration goes after China over intellectual property, advanced technology

"President Trump signed an executive memorandum Monday afternoon that will likely trigger an President Trump signed an executive memorandum Monday afternoon that will likely trigger an investigation into China’s alleged theft of U.S. intellectual property, a measure that could eventually result in a wide range of penalties as the administration seeks a new way to deal with what it calls Chinese violations of the rules of international trade.

“The theft of intellectual property by foreign countries costs our nation millions of jobs and billions and billions of dollars each and every year,” Trump said, as he signed the memo surrounded by trade advisers and company executives. “For too long, this wealth has been drained from our country while Washington has done nothing... But Washington will turn a blind eye no longer.”

Officials said the memorandum would direct their top trade negotiator, U.S. Trade Representative Robert E. Lighthizer, to determine whether to launch an investigation. The inquiry would give the president broad authority to retaliate if it finds that China is compromising U.S. intellectual property. U.S. intellectual property, a measure that could eventually result in a wide range of penalties as the administration seeks a new way to deal with what it calls Chinese violations of the rules of international trade."

Trump Cautious on China Inquiry Over Intellectual Property Theft; New York Times, August 12, 2017

Glenn Thrush and Alan Rappeport, New York Times; Trump Cautious on China Inquiry Over Intellectual Property Theft

"Mr. Trump will return to Washington from his working vacation at his Bedminster, N.J., golf resort on Monday to sign an executive memo asking the United States Trade Representative to determine whether to investigate state-backed theft by China of intellectual property from American technology and defense companies.

The request for an investigation will focus on Beijing’s practices of coercing American companies doing business in China to partner with local firms, which require them to turn over proprietary technological secrets as part of what American officials described as a coordinated effort to steal intellectual property.

Mr. Trump’s trade advisers, speaking to reporters on a conference call early Saturday, did not say why the administration decided to add the intermediate step of requesting an investigation, rather than starting one immediately. This month, people familiar with Mr. Trump’s deliberations suggested that the administration was prepared to immediately begin an inquiry into Chinese theft under the 1974 Trade Act."

Trump to China: Trade probe is coming Monday; CNN Money, August 12, 2017

Jeremy Diamond, CNN Money; Trump to China: Trade probe is coming Monday

"Trump told President Xi Jinping that he plans to direct U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer on Monday to begin the probe into alleged Chinese violations of U.S. intellectual property rights, the official said.

The move could lay the groundwork for Trump to impose tariffs against Chinese imports, which would mark a significant escalation in his efforts to reshape the trade relationship between the world's two largest economies."

Russia Renewed Unused Trump Trademarks in 2016; New York Times, June 18, 2017

Mike McIntire, New York Times; Russia Renewed Unused Trump Trademarks in 2016

"Beyond the questions about Russian government approvals, the trademark renewals cast doubt on Mr. Trump’s oft-stated insistence that he has no business interests in Russia. Mr. Trump has made the claims in response to investigations of possible collusion between his associates and Russia during and after the election.

In January, he wrote on Twitter, “I HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH RUSSIA — NO DEALS, NO LOANS, NO NOTHING!” He told NBC News in May that he has “no investments in Russia, none whatsoever.” And on Thursday, he expressed frustration on Twitter over scrutiny of his “non-dealings” in Russia.

Although Mr. Trump has not managed to develop hotels in Russia despite attempts over the years, and has disclosed no active business ventures there, his intellectual property holdings are a valuable commercial interest. The extension of trademarks such as “Trump International Hotel and Tower” protects his brand in that country and preserves conditions for potential business deals."

Patent office has received 32 trademark requests for 'covfefe'; The Hill, June 15, 2017

Harper Neidig, The Hill; Patent office has received 32 trademark requests for 'covfefe'

"The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has received more than 30 trademark requests containing the word “covfefe,” a term President Trump included in a cryptic tweet last month.

  

The 32 trademark requests include two hashtag versions of the word, two companies seeking to claim the phrase “Covfefe Coffee” and 25 attempts to trademark the word alone."

Trump Adds More Trademarks in China; New York Times, June 13, 2017

Sui-Lee wee, New York Times; Trump Adds More Trademarks in China

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"President Trump is poised to add six new trademarks to his expanding portfolio in China, in sectors including veterinary services and construction, potentially renewing concerns about his possible conflicts of interest.

The latest trademarks expand Mr. Trump’s business interests in China, the world’s second-largest economy and a country he frequently blamed during the election campaign for the decline in American industrial jobs. Since taking office, he has softened that rhetoric.

He has nevertheless continued to receive approval in China for new trademarks. The country’s trademark office gave the president preliminary approval for six trademarks on June 6, according to the agency’s website.

Under Chinese law, a trademark with preliminary approval is formally registered after three months if the agency receives no objections."

American Bar Association Webinar: Trump's Presidency to Date: Effects on IP Law, Business and our Profession, Tuesday, June 6, 2017

American Bar Association Webinar: Tuesday, June 6, 2017

Trump's Presidency to Date: Effects on IP Law, Business and our Profession

Tuesday, June 6, 2017
1:00 pm - 2:30 pm EST
1.50 Non-ethics CLE Credit Hours

How has President Trump's first 100 days affected, and will continue to affect, IP law regarding patents, trademarks, and copyrights?

This webinar will discuss the state of IP law coming into the new presidency and what, if anything, has changed or will change. A panel of IP experts will explore a broad range of IP topics, such as selections for future leadership of the USPTO Office, the US withdrawal from the Trans Pacific Partnership, and the selection of the next Supreme Court Justice. In addition, the panel will review congruencies in historical political events effecting IP law and will further discuss the effects of presidential and legislative policies that may affect all types of IP, business and our profession.

Panelists:

• David Postolski, Gearhart Law, Summit, NJ (Moderator)
• Thomas Stoll, American Bar Association, Washington, DC
• Brigid Harrison, Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ
• Wendell Potter, To Be Fair, Inc.; Tarbell.org, Philadelphia, PA