In 2024, courts in Beijing significantly increased the application of punitive damages in intellectual property (IP) cases, with 46 such rulings issued, representing a nearly 77% rise from the previous year, according to the Beijing High People’s Court.

The highest compensation awarded reached 70.56 million yuan (approx. EUR 8.52 million), reflecting the growing legal and financial risks for IP infringers. The Haidian District People’s Court, a leading district-level court in the capital, reported the imposition of punitive damages in 13 IP cases in 2024 alone, with total awards exceeding 30 million yuan, the highest among all district courts in the city (approx. EUR 3.63 million).

Most of these cases involved large-scale infringement activities, including the production and sale of goods violating copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets.

Beyond harsher penalties, Beijing’s judiciary has increasingly focused on patent cases involving core technologies and strategically important or emerging sectors. The High Court noted that such cases exceeded 3,500 in 2024.

If you have any inquiries regarding intellectual property matters in Greater China, please don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected].

Sealong LIAN

Senior IP Associate

[email protected]

+86 10 8446 4788