China Rejects Over 1.27 Million Trademark Applications in Three Years, Targets Deceptive Branding

China’s National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) announced on April 23, 2026 that it has rejected more than 1.27 million trademark applications over the past three years and invalidated over 3,300 registered trademarks as part of an intensifying crackdown on deceptive and misleading branding. The figures were disclosed at a State Council Information Office press conference that opened China’s annual IP Publicity Week.

CNIPA Deputy Commissioner Rui Wenbiao stated at the briefing that trademarks are meant to identify the source of goods or services, not to serve as advertising tools for false or misleading claims. His remarks came in response to questions about the rise of so-called edge-ball trademarks.

What Are Edge-Ball Trademarks?

The term edge-ball comes from table tennis and refers to a shot that barely clips the edge of the table. In the trademark context, it describes a practice where applicants register marks that make deceptive implications about product quality, geographic origin, or other attributes without technically constituting outright fraud. Common examples include marks that evoke premium ingredients, prestigious production regions, or prestigious international brands without meeting the underlying substantive standards.

The practice has proliferated as China’s trademark registry has grown. By the end of 2025, the Chinese mainland had over 49.8 million valid registered trademarks, the world’s largest by volume. The sheer scale of the registry has made systematic monitoring of abusive registrations a significant administrative challenge.

CNIPA’s Enforcement Measures

Rui outlined three institutional responses the CNIPA has put in place. First, the administration has issued evaluation guidelines to help examiners identify and reject applications with deceptive characteristics at the examination stage. Second, it has established a proactive monitoring mechanism to identify problematic registrations after they issue. Third, it has streamlined invalidation procedures to accelerate the removal of deceptive marks already on the register.

The CNIPA also indicated it will deepen coordination with market regulatory authorities to enforce rules at the point of commercial use. Deputy Commissioner Rui warned that a deceptive trademark may win short-term sales, but it will ultimately cost consumer trust and the future of the business.

Trademark Law Amendment Underway

On the legislative front, a draft revision to China’s Trademark Law has passed a first reading in the National People’s Congress. The draft includes a new clause specifically targeting the misleading use of registered trademarks in commerce, with harsher penalties anticipated. The final text and effective date remain subject to further legislative review.

The amendment would complement CNIPA’s administrative enforcement by providing a statutory basis for challenging marks that mislead consumers even after successful registration.

Significance for Foreign Trademark Holders

For foreign companies with trademark interests in China, the CNIPA’s enhanced enforcement posture carries several practical implications. The crackdown on bad-faith filings and deceptive registrations may improve the position of legitimate brand owners whose marks have been copied or preemptively registered by third parties. At the same time, the tightened standards for acceptable trademark use will require brand owners with existing China registrations to review their advertising and labeling practices to ensure compliance.

The 1.27 million rejection figure reflects cumulative activity over three years, not a single annual total, and should be understood in the context of China’s exceptionally high volume of new trademark applications. Nevertheless, the directional signal from the CNIPA press conference is clear: the administration is committed to raising the quality threshold for China’s trademark register, and enforcement will continue to be an active priority in 2026 and beyond.