Shenzhen writing the book on IP protection

Shenzhen is stepping up efforts to perfect its intellectual property protection system as rapid development of new technologies in the city raises the need for it.

Dubbed China's "Silicon Valley", Shenzhen has seen remarkable growth of innovative companies in a wide range of fields in recent years, including artificial intelligence, new-generation information technology and biomedicine, driving demand for intellectual property protection.

The city implemented a local regulation on IP protection in 2019 and made revisions earlier this year, including the introduction of a punitive compensation system and an increase in compensation cap.

"Only by intensifying punishment of IP infringements can enterprises' enthusiasm for innovation be consolidated," said Zhong Jianping, executive vice-president of Guangdong High People's Court. "This way, innovation can become the gene of a city."

Since the implementation of the Patent Law in 1985, Shenzhen has seen explosive development of its IP industry. The number of its patent applications on the Chinese mainland soared from 16 then to approximately 262,000 in 2019. Domestically granted patents grew by 37 percent annually on average over the period. In 2019 alone, more than 16,600 patents were granted domestically.

Internationally, the city's international PCT applications in 2019 stood at 17,459, taking the first place among major mainland cities for 16 consecutive years.

The rapid development of Shenzhen's IP industry is attributed to its boldness in "abolishing the old and embracing the new", said Song Yang, director of China (Shenzhen) Intellectual Property Protection Center.

The city has also been constantly improving its top-level design, striving to develop itself into a city with a strong IP industry, he said.

As Shenzhen celebrated its 40th anniversary in October as China's first special economic zone, a plan was drawn up by the central government to implement pilot reforms in the city with the aim of building it into a pilot demonstration area of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

According to the city's plan for 2020-25, Shenzhen will strive to develop into a model city of IP protection and create a world-class law-based business environment.

The number of IP-related cases in Guangdong province takes up about one-third of the country's total. From January to October, over 165,000 new IP cases were heard by the provincial court, of which more than 60,000 were filed in Shenzhen.

sally@chinadailyhk.com