[PROJECT NAME] Intellectual Property Right (IPR) Smart Enforcement
[SUBMITTED BY] Nanjing and Xiamen Customs Districts
[PROJECT OVERVIEW] To enhance the detection of suspected infringing trademarks and counterfeit goods with greater precision and efficiency, China Customs has developed an AI-powered trademark recognition system for inspection processes. When conducting inspections, Customs officers can access the trademark recognition module in their handheld devices to initiate real-time IPR inquiries. With image recognition and intelligent models, this module supports both text-based searches and image-based recognition. For the latter, officers can capture a photo of a suspected trademark, and the photo is then processed by back-end AI models for automatic comparison. The system achieves 100% accuracy in text-based trademark queries and 95% accuracy in image-based pattern matching.
[PROJECT DETAILS]
I. Key Approaches
1. Integration of Trademark Data
China Customs has synchronized trademark data from its IPR Registration System for Customs Protection to its Smart Customs Knowledge Base (SCKB). An AI trademark recognition algorithm, based on deep learning techniques, was developed and embedded into the SCKB to enable automated image recognition and real-time access to registration records.
2. Automated Trademark Graphic Comparison. China Customs enhanced handheld inspection devices with a functional module to interface with the SCKB . When a word trademark is identified on inspected goods, officers can initiate a fuzzy text-based search for registration records. For graphic trademarks, the system enables officers to photograph the marks and invoke an image-matching algorithm, which automatically identifies trademarks and provides real-time feedback.
3. Intelligent Assistance in Infringement Determination. The system generates alerts highlighting registered trademarks that are identical or confusingly similar to the photographed marks, assisting officers in determining possible IPR infringement cases. It also links to relevant licensing or authorization data, reducing the risk of erroneously detaining legitimate goods and enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of on-site enforcement.
II. Achievements
1. Integrated Information Access. By embedding the SCKB into the inspection system, officers now have instant and on-demand access to the trademark recognition module and its IPR data, cutting operational time dramatically.
2. Improved Inspection Efficiency. Officers can directly use the trademark recognition module at inspection sites without logging into separate systems to verify IPR registration records. Suspicious infringement can now be determined within 2 minutes, achieving near-instant query and feedback.
3. Enhanced Enforcement Accuracy. The system automatically excludes expired or inactive IPR registration records and provides rapid, stable back-end processing. This reduces the burden on officers when identifying potential infringements and enhances the overall accuracy of IPR enforcement.
III. Scaling and Application
In 2025, China Customs plans to further upgrade and optimize the trademark recognition system by expanding its coverage and enhancing cross-system interoperability. By developing replicable and scalable best practices, At the same time, China Customs is ready to offer its insights and replicable best practices to Customs administrations around the world, further improving the efficiency of detecting suspected infringing goods, better supporting frontline enforcement operations, and contributing to the global fight against IPR infringement.