CNIPA Stops Notifying Local Agents for Madrid Designations

JD Supra Trade Law

Published March 10th, 2026

Detected March 11th, 2026

Summary

The Chinese National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) has ceased notifying local Chinese trademark agents for international trademarks designating China via the Madrid System. CNIPA now only serves the WIPO-recorded representative or the trademark holder directly, requiring proactive monitoring by rights holders and their representatives to avoid missing response deadlines.

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What changed

The Chinese National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) has altered its service practice for international trademark applications designating China through the Madrid System. Previously, CNIPA would copy local Chinese trademark agents on notifications regarding non-use cancellations, oppositions, or invalidations. However, CNIPA has stopped this practice and now serves notices exclusively to the representative recorded with WIPO or directly to the trademark holder. This change necessitates a more proactive approach from rights holders and their representatives to monitor official communications.

This shift in service practice means that representatives and holders of International Registrations (IRs) must actively monitor notices served directly by CNIPA, as local agents will no longer receive copies unless they are the WIPO-recorded representative. Failure to respond to a notice within the prescribed deadline, particularly in non-use cancellation proceedings, can lead to the loss of a registration. Rights holders are advised to verify their WIPO-recorded addresses are accurate and capable of receiving ordinary mail, and to retain the mailing envelope for each CNIPA notice, as the postmark date determines the response deadline. Ordinary mail is assumed to be the primary service method until further clarification.

What to do next

Verify WIPO recorded address accuracy for receiving ordinary mail.
Retain mailing envelopes for CNIPA notices to confirm service dates.
Proactively monitor CNIPA communications directly, as local agents may not be notified.

Penalties

Missing a response deadline in a non-use cancellation can result in the loss of a registration.

Source document (simplified)

March 10, 2026

Important Changes in CNIPA Service Practice for Madrid Designations - March 2026

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Key Update

The Chinese National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) has stopped copying local Chinese trademark agents on notifications for international trademarks designating China through the Madrid System.

Since late last year, CNIPA now serves only the representative recorded with WIPO, or in some cases, the trademark holder directly.

Impact

In the past, representatives would be notified by local Chinese trademark agents when CNIPA issued Notices to Respond in non-use cancellations, oppositions, or invalidations.

With CNIPA’s recent change in practice — which may continue to evolve — and until further clarification is provided, representatives and holders of IRs must take a more proactive role in monitoring notices served directly by CNIPA. Local agents will no longer receive copies unless they are the WIPO recorded representative.

Needless to say, missing a response deadline in a non-use cancellation can result in the loss of a registration, so heightened vigilance is essential.

Until a new service mechanism is implemented, we should assume that ordinary mail remains the primary service method and plan accordingly.

Key Takeaways

Verify your WIPO recorded address is accurate and able to receive ordinary mail.
Keep the mailing envelope (or color scans of both sides) for each CNIPA notice, as the service date indicated on the envelope will determine the response deadline.
Forward to your WBD Representative scans of the notice and envelope. [View source.]

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Important Changes in CNIPA Service Practice for Madrid Designations

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DISCLAIMER: Because of the generality of this update, the information provided herein may not be applicable in all situations and should not be acted upon without specific legal advice based on particular situations.
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Published In:

China + Follow International Trademark Protection + Follow Madrid Protocol + Follow Regulatory Requirements + Follow Service of Process + Follow Trademark Agents + Follow Trademark Registration + Follow WIPO + Follow Civil Procedure + Follow Intellectual Property + Follow International Trade + Follow more less

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