Establishing an Efficient Comprehensive Intellectual Property Management System
Sun Guorui, President of Beijing Intellectual Property Association
Over the span of more than four decades since the early 1980s, China has progressively developed a comprehensive intellectual property legal framework that embodies both Chinese characteristics and complies with international standards. Following its accession to the World Trade Organization in 2001, China has amended various laws and regulations, including the Patent Law, Trademark Law, Copyright Law, and Anti-Unfair Competition Law. As of June 2024, China's inventory of invention patents has reached 5.344 million, with 48.044 million valid registered trademarks, 2,512 approved geographical indication products, 7,384 geographical indications registered as collective or certification marks, and a cumulative total of 78,000 integrated circuit layout designs certified.
The core function of the intellectual property system is to foster innovation. To establish an efficient comprehensive intellectual property management system, it is essential to focus on protecting intellectual property rights, enhancing their management, and stimulating the spirit of innovation among citizens.
Efforts should be concentrated on deepening the reform of the intellectual property system. Going forward, it is crucial to leverage the fundamental role of the rule of law in solidifying foundations, stabilizing expectations, and securing long-term benefits. This includes the continuous improvement of intellectual property laws and the construction of a comprehensive, tightly structured, and well-coordinated legal system. It is imperative to align with the demands of innovation and development, give into full play the guiding role of patents, trademarks, geographical indications, and data-related intellectual property rights. Strengthening the capacity of the intellectual property system is vital, as is further integrating the entire chain of intellectual property creation, utilization, protection, management, services, and international cooperation. Enhancing enforcement guidance, administrative and judicial coordination, and social governance is key to improving the governance capabilities and levels of intellectual property rights. Rapid progress is needed in establishing protection and utilization rules for intellectual property in emerging fields and industries, such as big data, artificial intelligence, genetic technology, life sciences, and quantum technology, to catalyze the emergence of new technologies and industries. The implementation of special actions for the transformation and application of patents should be deepened, with the goal of patent industrialization. Efforts should be made to improve patent quality and strengthen policy incentives, comprehensively sorting out and revitalizing the existing patents of colleges and research institutions. This will facilitate precise link between high-value patents and enterprises, accelerate transformation, and address issues such as unsmooth patent transformation channels and insufficient motivation, thereby hastening the conversion of scientific and technological achievements into tangible productive forces.
China is at a pivotal moment in its transition from a major importer to a major creator of intellectual property. The focus of intellectual property work is shifting from quantity to quality. It is imperative to establish an efficient comprehensive intellectual property management system, continuously enhance the governance capabilities and levels of intellectual property rights, and better leverage their role in stimulating comprehensive innovation, promoting industrial transformation, optimizing the business environment, and facilitating the smooth operation of domestic and international "dual circulation".
Published on December 5, 2024