IP regulator looking ahead to future role at conference

Bringing intellectual property rights to common people among national authority's goals

Benefiting the people with intellectual property and improving the quality of IP are among the priorities for China's IP authority in its next step.

"While remaining committed to the essential characteristics of socialism and the goal of achieving common prosperity, we will not only work to spur the vitality of innovation across all sectors and promote high-quality economic and social development through strong IP protection, but strive to better benefit the people and satisfy their aspirations for a better life with innovations through balanced IP protection," Shen Changyu, commissioner of the National Intellectual Property Administration, said while addressing the opening ceremony of the 11th China Intellectual Property Annual Conference on Nov 30.

With the theme "Implementing the guiding principles of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and moving faster to boost the competitiveness of China in intellectual property", the three-day event was held via video link.

The quality of IP was another focus of his speech. He said NIPA will place the quality of IP in a more prominent position on its agenda and will ensure quality by perfecting the indicators, statistical system and assessment system designed for advancing the high-quality development of IP and by observing strict examination and authorization procedures.

"We will work to ensure that our goal to turn China into a world-class IP powerhouse with Chinese characteristics is basically achieved by the end of 2035," Shen noted.

Hu Guangjie, vice-governor of East China's Jiangsu province, said at the opening ceremony that the province has integrated IP into its overall development plans in recent years, with its average ownership of invention patents per 10,000 people standing at 49. The thriving IP scene in Jiangsu has been a powerful driver for boosting scientific and technological innovation and high-quality development in the province.

As the guest of honor of the CIPAC 2022, Jiangsu will take the event as an opportunity to learn from the insights of experts in attendance and to contribute its share to the country's goal of growing into an IP powerhouse by placing greater emphasis on promoting independent sci-tech research and the construction of a self-reliant modern industrial system through advancing IP-related work, the vice-governor said.

Wu Qingwen, mayor of Suzhou, Jiangsu province, told the conference that the city has sped up its efforts to grow into a leading hub for IP resources and a front-runner in IP protection in the country, with the aim of driving high-quality development with strong IP protection.

Taking the CIPAC 2022 as an opportunity, Suzhou will accelerate the integration of IP and industrial growth, further advance the efficient transformation and application of IP, and continue to strengthen the rule of law in IP protection, the mayor added.

In his congratulatory message to the convening of the CIPAC 2022, Daren Tang, director-general of the World Intellectual Property Organization, lauded China's efforts in innovation-driven development and the rapid growth of its IP applications.

He said the benefits brought by China's efforts to protect IP and encourage innovation are gradually emerging. The IP system has become a powerful driving force for China's economic and social development.

WIPO will continue to work closely with China, as the two sides approach the 50th anniversary of their cooperation, Tang added.

Keynote speakers at the event were Liu Lian'ge, chairman of the Bank of China; Zhao Yuliang, academician at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and director of the National Center for Nanoscience and Technology; Liu Hua, director of the WIPO Office in China; Song Liuping, senior vice-president, chief legal officer and chief compliance officer of Huawei Technologies; and Wang Xiang, partner and president of mobile internet company Xiaomi, according to the organizers.

A display of IP products and services, an exhibition of Chinese products with geographical indications and a matchmaking event for providers of GI products took place online during the conference.

Hosted by the Intellectual Property Publishing House, the CIPAC 2022 welcomed representatives of WIPO, Chinese government agencies, Chinese and international IP service providers, colleges and universities, research institutes and enterprises, among others. They conducted in-depth discussions on IP issues in realms such as the digital economy, financial technology, biomedicine and mobile communication.