CNIPA Rejects 63 DeepSeek Trademark Applications

On 24 February 2025, the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) issued an announcement noting that following the launch of the domestically developed large language model (LLM) "DeepSeek" and the ensued worldwide attention, the Trademark Office of the CNIPA received a number of trademark applications submitted by enterprises and individuals containing the generally known name "DeepSeek" and its graphics.

It was reported that the Trademark Office, in its consistent close monitoring of malicious trademark applications to maintain favourable business environment and support high-quality IP development, has rejected 63 trademark applications that were deemed as filing with the intention of "riding the DeepSeek wave" to gain unjust enrichment.

The announcement was accompanied by a list of rejected applications together with the applicants concerned and the trademark classes applied for.