In October 2025, the Beijing Haitong International Intellectual Property Institute, SZ DATA HONG KONG LIMITED and SUOZHIYILIAN (Suzhou) Technology Co., Ltd., jointly released the "Report on Trend of Chinese Enterprises Involved in U.S. Intellectual Property Disputes for the First Half of 2025." Based on comprehensive data and cases, the dispute trend concerning patents, trademarks, copyrights, and other intellectual property rights of Chinese enterprises in the United States is analyzed, revealing three major trends, providing references for overseas intellectual property challenges of Chinese enterprises.

In terms of the report, in the first half of 2025, there were a total of 8,874 newly filed intellectual property lawsuits in the United States, up 24.11% year-on-year. Among these, 737 cases involved Chinese enterprises, accounting for approximately 8.3% of the total, indicating that intellectual property disputes involving Chinese enterprises in the U.S. remain prevalent.

Predominantly in a passive role, 70% as defendants

In terms of litigation roles, Chinese enterprises are notably in a passive position in U.S. IP lawsuits. Among the 737 cases involving Chinese entities, 538 cases featured Chinese companies as defendants, accounting for more than 70% of the total, showing the relatively passive role of Chinese enterprises in U.S. IP litigation.

Guangdong, Fujian, and Zhejiang become key regions, indicating high risks for export-oriented economies

In terms of geographic distribution, cases are most concentrated in Guangdong, Fujian, and Zhejiang. Guangdong leads with 2,591 defendant entities and 413 cases, followed by Fujian (745 defendant entities, 216 cases) and Zhejiang (699 defendant entities, 197 cases). This distribution pattern closely correlates with the high level of trade activity between Chinese enterprises and the United States, revealing the urgent need for Chinese companies to enhance their ability to prejudge and manage IP risks when expanding overseas.

Northern District of Illinois emerges as the primary forum, compensation awards show an "olive-shaped" distribution

In terms of judicial jurisdiction, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (N.D. Ill.) has become the primary forum for intellectual property cases involving Chinese entities, handling 431 cases, accounting for approximately 58.3% of the total. According to the report, there are significant differences among judges in case processing efficiency and ruling tendencies. Moreover, compensation awards appear as a distinct "olive-shaped" distribution, with relatively fewer cases at the lower and higher compensation, and a concentration in the middle range.

Summary and action guidelines: transforming challenges into opportunities, shifting from defense to proactive strike

It can be found from the analysis of case volume, geographical distribution, litigation roles and compensation structures that three major trends in U.S. intellectual property litigation involving Chinese enterprises during the first half of 2025 show as "passive response, concentrated occurrence, and an olive-shaped distribution of compensation awards" which collectively point to a core conclusion: Chinese enterprises still face severe intellectual property challenges in the internationalization efforts.

From Haitong International IP Institute

October 10th,2025