China Trademark Fast-Track Examination Procedures
Expedited trademark registration for strategic industries, emergency situations, and economic development priorities
Table of Contents
Core Provisions
Operational Guidelines
Trademark Fast-Track Examination Procedures
Article 1: Purpose and Legal Basis
To serve China’s high-quality development, implement reform decisions in optimizing innovation environments and business climate in the intellectual property field, continuously improve the quality and efficiency of intellectual property examination, deeply implement the trademark brand strategy, and lawfully expedite the examination of trademark registration applications concerning national interests, social public interests, or major regional development strategies. This approach innovates examination models and improves examination procedures in accordance with the Trademark Law of the People’s Republic of China and its implementing regulations, and is formulated based on practical trademark work.
Article 2: Eligibility for Fast-Track Examination
Trademark registration applications meeting any of the following criteria may request fast-track examination:
Strategic & Future Industries
Applications involving strategic emerging industries vital to China’s development (commercial aerospace, low-altitude economy, deep-sea technology) and future industries (biomanufacturing, quantum technology, embodied AI, 6G) that urgently require trademark rights.
Major Projects & Heritage
Applications concerning national or provincial major projects, significant technological infrastructure, major events, exhibitions, or important cultural heritage where trademark protection is urgent.
Modern Industrial Systems
Applications related to modern industrial systems promoted by provincial governments and industrial chains focused on developing new productive forces, where the trademark is already in use.
Public Emergencies
Applications directly related to responses during major public emergencies (natural disasters, accidents, public health events, social security incidents).
Economic Development
Applications necessary for serving high-quality economic development, promoting the implementation of the Intellectual Property Power Strategy, or having significant practical importance for safeguarding national interests, social public interests, or major regional development strategies.
Article 3: Application Requirements
Requests for fast-track examination must simultaneously satisfy all of the following conditions:
- Consent: Approved by all applicants
- Application Method: Submitted electronically
- Trademark Elements: Comprised of words, graphics, letters, numbers, or combinations thereof
- Goods/Services: Designated goods/services must be closely related to eligible cases and use CNIPA-accepted classification names
- Priority Claims: No priority rights requested
- Excluded Types: Not applications for collective or certification marks
Article 4: Application Procedure
Requests for fast-track examination must be submitted in paper form to CNIPA with the following documents:
| Document | Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fast-Track Request Form | Official application form for expedited examination | Must be typed or printed |
| Supporting Evidence | Documents proving eligibility under Article 2 | Must substantiate qualifying criteria |
| Recommendation/Approval | Recommendation from relevant authorities or approval from provincial IP office | Either central/provincial recommendation or provincial IP verification |
Article 5-6: Review Process & Timeline
CNIPA will strictly review applications upon receipt. Eligible applications will be approved for fast-track examination within 5 working days. Ineligible applications will be processed through standard procedures.
Examination Timeline
- Fast-Track Examination: Completed within 20 working days
- Standard Examination: Processed according to regular statutory procedures
- Notification: Applicants notified of decision within 5 working days
Article 7: Termination of Fast-Track Process
CNIPA may terminate the fast-track examination process if any of the following occur during examination:
Correction Required
When the application requires amendments, explanations, or supplementary examination procedures
Deferred Examination
If the applicant requests suspension after applying for fast-track examination
Other Impediments
When other circumstances prevent fast-track examination
Article 8-11: Final Provisions
After CNIPA makes an examination decision through the fast-track process, relevant parties may file oppositions against preliminarily approved marks or request reviews of rejected applications according to legal provisions.
CNIPA will strictly perform its duties in handling fast-track trademark applications, exercising power impartially under supervision to ensure transparent operations. The CNIPA Trademark Office is responsible for implementing these procedures.
These procedures take effect upon publication and supersede previous regulations, including the repealed “Trademark Registration Fast-Track Examination Measures (Trial)” (CNIPA Announcement No. 467).
Attachment 1: Fast-Track Request Form
Attachment 2: Operational Guidelines
Implementation Rules
Important Implementation Notes
- These procedures supersede all previous fast-track examination regulations
- Applications submitted before implementation date will be processed under previous rules
- CNIPA may issue supplementary implementation guidelines as needed
- Provincial IP offices may develop localized implementation procedures
The fast-track examination system represents China’s commitment to supporting innovation and economic development through efficient intellectual property protection. By prioritizing strategically important sectors and emergency situations, CNIPA aims to accelerate market entry for critical technologies and services while maintaining rigorous examination standards.
