Zhejiang continues to improve the efficiency of intellectual property conversion and application to drive new engines of development_1

On October 16, Zhejiang Province held a conference to report on key issues related to intellectual property (IP) protection and to introduce the progress made in building a strong IP framework. The meeting highlighted typical cases of IP protection, revealing that a total of 11,447 data-related IP rights have been registered in the province, with a transaction value reaching 4.217 billion yuan.

According to the data presented at the conference, Zhejiang has granted a total of 267,500 patents to date, marking a 7.48% increase compared to the previous year. Among these, 55,000 are invention patents, which have surged by 29.57%. The province boasts 148,000 high-value patents, a 27% increase, along with 4.71 million valid registered trademarks, 993 new varieties of crops, and 490 new varieties in forestry and grasslands. The authority has achieved full coverage of 20 core industries within the digital economy through its 11,447 registered data IP rights, with the trading amount reaching 4.217 billion yuan. Moreover, there are 581 geographical indications involving 3,050 entities authorized to use the specialized geographical indication symbols.

Notably, three initiatives from Zhejiang have been included in the third batch of typical cases for constructing a strong IP country, published by the Inter-Ministerial Joint Conference Office of the National IP Strengthening Efforts. These include innovative implementations of patent disclosure systems, enhancements in copyright protection through “AI-powered copyright review,” and the establishment of the “Zhejiang IP Officer” brand.

Gu Wenhai, Deputy Director of the Zhejiang Provincial Market Supervision Administration (also the Provincial Intellectual Property Office), emphasized that this year Zhejiang has made significant strides in IP development by launching various initiatives aimed at enhancing IP protections for enterprises.

In its efforts to enhance IP protection, Zhejiang introduced several innovative measures, such as guidelines for IP inspection and testing, standards for IP authentication, and simplified administrative procedures for IP dispute resolution, making it a national leader in these areas.

Additionally, the province has launched a dual-action approach to expedite IP rights acquisition and protection. Six new national IP protection centers and rapid-response centers have begun operations, covering 38 industrial sectors, including next-generation information technology, biotechnology, green low-carbon initiatives, and intelligent manufacturing. The province’s capacity for patent examination services ranks among the top three in the nation.

Zhejiang has also implemented simplified administrative procedures for IP dispute resolutions across the province, introducing user-friendly measures like “single judge hearings” and “preliminary comparisons,” resulting in the handling of 142 cases through these expedited procedures, which have reduced processing times by over 50%.

In emerging fields, Zhejiang has established a data IP registration center and launched an integrated service platform called “Shu Zhi Tong.” Collaborating with the finance regulatory bodies, it has introduced data IP loans and is working with finance departments to treat data IP as formal assets. The province is also aligned with initiatives such as the EU-China Geographical Indications Agreement, with plans to pilot the protection of Spanish “Rioja” wine and establish a national mutual protection center for geographical indications.

In terms of international protection, two new local branches of national overseas IP dispute response centers have opened in Wenzhou and Shaoxing, bringing the total in Zhejiang to eight, the highest in the country. The province has developed an online module for “Zhejiang IP Online,” allowing for digital trademark monitoring across 195 countries and regions, providing guidance for international IP disputes on 90 occasions, and issuing 531 risk alerts.

As the province enhances its protection measures, the overall IP ecosystem continues to improve. The economic benefits of IP utilization have seen a significant rise, with 5,681 high-value patents from Zhejiang’s universities and research institutions being translated into practical applications. Additionally, 5,000 small and micro enterprises have been included in the “Seed Program” aimed at fostering growth through patent industrialization.

At this conference, the Zhejiang Provincial Quality Standards and IP Protection Leading Group Office presented six model cases of IP protection in the province to provide the public with a clearer understanding of IP protection efforts.

Looking ahead, Zhejiang aims to focus on establishing an efficient comprehensive IP management system, deepen reforms in the IP sector, and work towards creating “six major mechanisms,” all while striving to become a province with the strongest protections, the most active innovation, and the best IP ecosystem in the country.