The landscape of intellectual property (IP) in Asia continues to evolve rapidly, driven by innovation, stronger enforcement, and deeper international collaboration. This month’s roundup offers key updates from China, Hong Kong, the Philippines, and Japan, showcasing how these markets are shaping the future of patents, copyrights, and IP law.

Whether you are an innovator, legal professional, business leader, or creative entrepreneur, staying informed about these changes is essential to navigating global IP strategies.

China: Beijing IP Court Improves Technical Case Expertise

Over the past decade, the Beijing Intellectual Property Court has made significant strides in improving the efficiency of handling technical IP disputes.

• 306 technical experts have assisted in 4,360 cases to date.

• Annual technical case resolutions increased dramatically, from 1,430 in 2016 to 4,524 in 2024.

• Areas of expertise include mechanics, chemistry, pharmaceuticals, materials science, and communications technology.

This investment in expert-led decision-making demonstrates China’s commitment to strengthening its IP enforcement framework, ensuring that highly technical disputes are resolved accurately and fairly.

Hong Kong: Strengthening Global IP Accessibility Through WIPO Partnership

In a major step toward international transparency and collaboration, Hong Kong has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

This agreement allows Hong Kong to contribute its leading IP judgments to the WIPO Lex-Judgments database, giving legal practitioners and innovators around the world easy access to Hong Kong’s high-quality IP rulings.

By contributing to this global platform, Hong Kong reinforces its role as a world-class IP hub and a gateway for intellectual property protection in Asia.

Philippines: Music Industry Achieves Record Revenue Growth

The Philippine music industry saw remarkable success in 2024, recording $88.3 million in revenues, representing a 17.9% year-on-year growth — the second-highest growth rate in Southeast Asia, according to the IFPI Global Music Report 2025.

Key industry trends include:

• Streaming revenues accounting for 91.6% of total music revenues.

• Synchronization revenues rising by 52.9%.

• Performance rights revenues skyrocketing by 114.3%.

The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) is actively working on copyright protection initiatives to support Filipino artists and expand their global presence, making the Philippines an emerging powerhouse in the global music market.

Japan: Building Global IP Alliances with Africa

During TICAD9, the Japan Patent Office (JPO) held high-level meetings with South Africa’s Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) and Egypt’s Egyptian Intellectual Property Authority (EGIPA) to strengthen global IP collaboration.

Highlights include:

• South Africa is preparing to implement substantive patent examinations, enhancing its IP system’s credibility.

• Egypt has consolidated multiple IP offices into a single unified authority, streamlining operations and services.

• Japan continues to position itself as a leader in international IP cooperation, fostering stronger partnerships across Asia and Africa.

Why These Updates Matter

These developments highlight Asia’s growing influence in global intellectual property policy, enforcement, and innovation ecosystems. Businesses, startups, and creators operating in Asia or collaborating internationally should take note of these trends:

• Stronger IP enforcement in China helps companies protect advanced technologies.

• Hong Kong’s integration with WIPO Lex improves global access to legal precedents.

• The Philippines’ creative economy boom signals opportunities for music, entertainment, and copyright-focused ventures.

• Japan’s strategic alliances with Africa showcase Asia’s role in shaping IP systems beyond its borders.

Staying ahead of these changes is essential for companies seeking to protect their intellectual assets, secure patents, and expand internationally.

Explore More with Precise IP

At Precise IP, we monitor regional and global IP trends to help businesses navigate complex patent, trademark, and copyright challenges. Whether you are scaling a startup, safeguarding innovations, or expanding into new markets, our insights and strategies can help you stay competitive.