Intellectual property (IP) continues to be a driving force for economic growth, technological development, and global innovation. In September 2025, several significant updates from Asia have shaped the IP landscape, reflecting the increasing importance of strategic IP management in fostering innovation. Here’s a detailed look at the latest developments from China, Japan, India, and the Philippines.

China: 2025 IP5 Trial and Appeal Boards High-Level Meeting in Fuzhou

On September 16, 2025, Fuzhou hosted the prestigious IP5 Trial and Appeal Boards High-Level Meeting, marking the first time such an event took place in China. This landmark meeting brought together top officials, including Hu Wenhui, Deputy Commissioner of the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA), as well as heads and representatives from the trial and appeal boards of the IP5 Offices, alongside observers from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Both online and in-person participation ensured a broad spectrum of insights and international perspectives.

The meeting underscored the importance of establishing cooperation mechanisms among the trial and appeal boards of the IP5 Offices. Such collaboration is seen as a critical step toward global innovation governance and provides a strategic platform to collectively address the rapid pace of technological change and associated challenges. CNIPA emphasized that constructing a global IP landscape is a shared responsibility and expressed China’s commitment to an open, cooperative approach. The country aims to contribute its expertise, solutions, and wisdom to shape an international environment conducive to innovation and sustainable development.

Key discussions at the meeting included the latest developments and initiatives within trial and appeal boards, highlighting trends, challenges, and best practices. The event culminated with a consensus on the inaugural release of the User Guide for IP5 Trial and Appeal Procedures, a valuable resource designed to standardize and improve procedural consistency across the IP5 Offices. The Fuzhou meeting is widely seen as a milestone in international IP collaboration, demonstrating China’s proactive role in advancing global IP governance.

Japan: Launch of Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) with Bahrain

Japan made a significant step in strengthening bilateral IP cooperation by agreeing to start the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) with the Kingdom of Bahrain. On September 19, 2025, during a summit meeting between Prime Minister ISHIBA of Japan and His Royal Highness Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain, a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) was signed to implement the PPH starting January 1, 2026.

The PPH program is designed to streamline patent examinations by allowing participating patent offices to share and utilize each other’s examination results. For Japanese companies seeking patent protection in Bahrain, this initiative promises a more efficient, faster, and reliable patent grant process. Commissioner KASAI of the Japan Patent Office (JPO) highlighted that the collaboration aims to ensure that Japanese innovations are promptly and accurately protected in Bahrain, fostering a more secure environment for international IP rights.

The bilateral PPH is also a strategic step for both nations to enhance IP-driven economic growth. Japan has been actively pursuing such collaborations globally, and the partnership with Bahrain reflects a growing trend in Asia to integrate patent examination systems, reduce duplication, and facilitate international innovation exchange. For businesses, the PPH is more than a procedural convenience; it is a mechanism to accelerate commercialization, reduce costs, and encourage cross-border technological cooperation.

India: New Guidelines for Examination of AYUSH-Related Inventions

India’s rich heritage in traditional medicine systems such as Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa, and Homoeopathy (collectively known as AYUSH) has taken center stage in the intellectual property arena with the release of the “Guidelines for Examination of AYUSH Related Inventions, 2025” by the Indian Patent Office (IPO).

The guidelines aim to provide clarity and consistency in the filing, examination, and granting of patents in the AYUSH sector. With the global wellness industry experiencing rapid growth, protecting innovations in this field has become crucial. The new guidelines are designed to:

• Prevent misappropriation of traditional knowledge.
• Encourage genuine innovation in AYUSH research and product development.
• Provide patent examiners with a structured and consistent framework for assessment.

The IPO has outlined a comprehensive process to streamline AYUSH patent applications:

1. Filing: Applications can be submitted online or in person by inventors, assignees, or legal representatives.
2. Screening & Classification: Each application is categorized and assigned classification codes, with publications occurring 18 months after filing, or sooner if early publication is requested.
3. Examination: Patents must meet the criteria of novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability under the Patent Act, 1970. Examiners conduct prior art searches using resources like the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) to ensure compliance.
4. Assessment: Inventions must demonstrate genuine technical advancement, unexpected synergistic effects, and proper disclosure of biological resources, ensuring that the innovation goes beyond existing traditional knowledge.

The AYUSH Guidelines (2025) strike a delicate balance between safeguarding traditional knowledge and promoting modern innovation. For startups, research institutions, and established businesses in the wellness and healthcare sectors, aligning R&D with these IP guidelines is essential to secure competitive advantages and support global expansion.

Philippines: Innovation Recognition in GII 2025

The Philippines celebrated its performance in the 2025 Global Innovation Index (GII), published by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). The country achieved the 50th rank, improving from 53rd in 2024, and maintained its classification as an “innovation overperformer,” outperforming predictions based on GDP per capita.

The GII evaluates countries using a wide array of metrics, including political and regulatory frameworks, education and research capacity, infrastructure, investment climate, and outputs in terms of technology and intangible assets. The Philippines’ progress reflects the robust health of its innovation ecosystem, even amid global economic challenges.

WIPO Director General Daren Tang highlighted the increasing role of innovation across economies, noting that countries—regardless of their development stage—are recognizing the importance of creativity, entrepreneurship, and knowledge-driven growth. For the Philippines, the 50th rank is a testament to the ongoing efforts of the current administration to boost innovation through coordinated initiatives across various sectors.

The National Innovation Council (NIC), chaired by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and composed of 22 government departments and sectoral representatives, continues to play a pivotal role in shaping policies and initiatives that support innovation as a driver of national development. By integrating IP strategies into broader economic planning, the Philippines is positioning itself as a competitive player in the global innovation landscape.

Key Takeaways

The recent IP developments across Asia reflect the increasing strategic importance of intellectual property in driving innovation, economic growth, and international collaboration. From China’s leadership in IP5 cooperation, Japan’s bilateral PPH agreement with Bahrain, India’s comprehensive AYUSH patent guidelines, to the Philippines’ rising GII ranking, several themes emerge:

1. Collaboration Across Borders: IP initiatives such as the IP5 High-Level Meeting and PPH agreements highlight the value of cross-border cooperation to streamline patent systems and enhance innovation governance.
2. Protecting Traditional Knowledge: India’s AYUSH guidelines exemplify how IP systems can protect heritage knowledge while encouraging modern scientific innovation.
3. Global Competitiveness: Rankings like the GII demonstrate that nations are increasingly leveraging innovation as a tool for economic growth and international recognition.
4. Efficiency and Standardization: By creating structured guidelines and shared procedures, countries are ensuring that IP systems remain efficient, transparent, and supportive of technological advancement.

As Asia continues to emerge as a hotbed of technological innovation, these IP initiatives serve not only to safeguard inventions but also to catalyze economic development, support startups, and attract global investment. Stakeholders-from inventors and businesses to policymakers—must stay informed and proactive to fully leverage these evolving IP landscapes.

Conclusion

September 2025 has been a landmark month for Asian intellectual property, highlighting the region’s commitment to global innovation, effective governance, and strategic IP management. With China leading collaborative discussions, Japan optimizing patent prosecution, India safeguarding traditional knowledge, and the Philippines rising in global innovation rankings, the future of IP in Asia is both dynamic and promising. Businesses, innovators, and policymakers must recognize these developments as opportunities to enhance competitiveness, foster innovation, and contribute to a globally integrated IP ecosystem.

For businesses and innovators operating in Asia, aligning IP strategies with these emerging trends is not just a legal necessity-it is a strategic imperative for sustainable growth and global success.