China is set to strengthen its position as a global leader in intellectual property (IP) with a newly unveiled blueprint aimed at modernizing its IP protection system by 2035. Spearheaded by the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) and eight other authorities, this 13-page document outlines a comprehensive roadmap to enhance IP development and safeguard innovation across the nation.
At a press conference on Tuesday, CNIPA spokesperson Guo Wen emphasized that the blueprint focuses on improving review efficiency, bolstering legal protections, and prioritizing emerging industries such as artificial intelligence and biotechnology. These measures are designed to support over 150,000 enterprises already benefiting from China’s fast IP service centers, with plans to expand their coverage further.
China has made remarkable strides in streamlining its patent examination process, achieving a review time of just 16 months last year. This is faster than the United States, Europe, Japan, and the Republic of Korea. The new plan aims to reduce this time to 15 months for invention patents by 2025, making the system even more efficient.
In addition to speeding up the examination process, the blueprint highlights the creation of specialized centers that provide comprehensive services such as patent review, verification, and protection. These centers, developed in collaboration with local governments, are intended to lower the barriers for businesses in securing and defending their IP rights.
Shen Changyu, head of the CNIPA, highlighted the plan’s commitment to combating IP infringement. The strategy includes the development of specialized IP courts, the implementation of a punitive damages system, and the enhancement of evidence rules and damage calculations. In 2023 alone, Chinese courts awarded punitive damages in 319 IP infringement cases, resulting in 1.16 billion yuan ($163 million) in compensations—an impressive 117% increase from the previous year.
The blueprint also addresses the protection of new IP types related to AI and data property rights, ensuring that China remains at the forefront of innovation in these cutting-edge fields. Wan Yong, an official with the Supreme People’s Procuratorate, stated, “China will continue to enhance the protection of enterprises' original innovation in emerging business forms and sectors such as computer software, digital copyright, and cultural creativity.
By leveraging IP to drive technological advancements and meet the demands of new industries, China has solidified its role as a powerhouse in AI technologies, leading the world in patent applications in this sector with a core AI industry valuation surpassing 500 billion yuan by 2022.
As China progresses towards its 2035 goals, this blueprint signifies a robust commitment to fostering innovation, protecting intellectual property, and maintaining its competitive edge in the global market.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
