On April 2, the Trademark Committee of the International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI) China Group held an expert review meeting on the topic of “Exhaustion of Trademark Rights” at Chispo. The event brought together a diverse group of intellectual property professionals from academia, the judiciary, administrative authorities, and AIPPI China. As part of the Committee’s 2025 Q294 research project, the meeting featured in-depth discussions on both the theoretical underpinnings and practical applications of trademark exhaustion, with the goal of contributing to the ongoing development of China’s IP protection framework.

The meeting was chaired by Zhang Lei, Vice Chair of AIPPI China’s Trademark Committee. In his opening remarks, Guo Xiaojun, Secretary General of AIPPI China, emphasized the importance of trademark exhaustion in the context of global trade and domestic legal practice. He noted that the meeting provided a valuable platform for dialogue among scholars, judges, and enforcement officials, aiming to build greater consensus on key issues.

During the keynote presentation session, Zhou Weiwei from the Beijing Municipal Comprehensive Law Enforcement Corps of Market Regulation shared practical insights on the application of the trademark exhaustion principle in administrative enforcement. Judges Luo Xin from the Intellectual Property Tribunal of the Beijing Chaoyang District People’s Court and Chen Xi from the Third Civil Division of the Beijing High People’s Court discussed judicial interpretations of trademark exhaustion, drawing from real-world case examples. Associate Professor Xiong Wencong of the Law School at Minzu University of China offered both theoretical analysis and empirical observations on the legal foundations and practical challenges associated with trademark exhaustion.

In the second half of the meeting, Committee members Wang Xiao and He Wei presented the findings of the Q294 research project. Their presentation addressed critical issues such as rights holder consent, market placement, and the application of trademark exhaustion to refurbished goods. These topics prompted lively exchanges among the experts in attendance.

The concluding open discussion session fostered a dynamic and constructive exchange of views on topics including trademark infringement, exhaustion of rights, and principles of damage assessment under trademark law. The collaborative and intellectually stimulating atmosphere enriched the discussion and underscored the significance of the subject matter.

This expert review meeting marked a significant step forward in the theoretical exploration of trademark exhaustion and offered meaningful academic and practical input to AIPPI China's 2025 research agenda.