Businesses seeking help with intellectual property issues in China or Russia now have an official referral route through their home IP office. CNIPA and Rospatent launched a one-year focal point pilot on 15 September 2026. Each office designates an officer to pass enquiries to the counterpart office, which is to respond within a reasonable period. Neither announcement sets a fixed response time. According to CNIPA’s announcement, the pilot runs until 14 September 2027.
For companies navigating unfamiliar administrative procedures, the channel offers a way to seek clarification from the relevant authority. JCIPO recommends setting out the case background, relevant application or registration numbers and precise questions so that the enquiry can be referred and followed up efficiently. The announcements establish no representation, dispute-resolution or deadline-suspension procedure. Companies should therefore handle formal filings and remedies separately and keep their own calendar for oppositions, renewals and litigation.
