In order to fully leverage the exemplary role of best practices in public intellectual property (IP) services and to summarize and promote advanced experiences in IP public services, the CNIPA announced the 2024 Top 10 Cases and Excellent Cases in Intellectual Property Information Services on September 29, 2024. This initiative aims to facilitate exchange and learning among public service institutions, allowing them to draw from successful experiences, broaden service channels, innovate service methods, and enrich service content to comprehensively enhance the efficiency of IP public services. This article provides a brief introduction to the Top 10 and Excellent Cases.
2024 Top 10 Intellectual Property Information Service Cases
1. Enhancing Information Services to Accurately Support Enterprise Growth
The Shandong Provincial Intellectual Property Development Center reviewed more than 2,100 high-tech, market-potential, and transformation-oriented patent technology achievements from universities and research institutes. Through manual analysis, intelligent matching, patent information distribution, and supply-demand matching, the center helped small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) efficiently access innovation resources, reduce innovation costs, and solve growth challenges. This case exemplifies how IP information services can facilitate technology transfer and support SME innovation. The initiative resulted in 107 patent transfers and licenses, incubating 23 patents into actual enterprises, and the implementation of 66 patents through “patent packages”. A total of 82 high-value patents were auctioned, generating a total of RMB 19.62 million in sales.
2. Targeting Future Technologies and Supporting Innovation in 6G Intelligent Simplified Networks
Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications selected its researchers’ patent data and academic papers in the 6G intelligent simplified network field to showcase the trends and patent distribution in this research area from various perspectives, such as academic output, quality, influence, and patent analysis. This case provided valuable support for the research directions of key national laboratories in the 6G field and served as a reference for talent cultivation. It facilitated the transformation of 13 high-value patents, with one patent involving equity investment, generating economic benefits of RMB 2.6 million. Additionally, the research findings supported the school’s July launch of the world’s first test network for 6G communication and intelligence integration. This case is a good model for IP services in new academic discipline construction and the promotion of industry-academia-research integration.
3. Yellow Flower Industry Information Service Empowering Geographical Indications for Rural Revitalization
The Datong Intellectual Property Development Center leveraged the advantages of local resources by establishing a five-in-one development framework involving the government, associations, leading enterprises, cooperatives, and farmers. By conducting policy promotion, benchmark setting, and specialized training, they enhanced the brand effect of the “Yellow Flower” industry, raised awareness of geographical indications (GIs), and empowered product quality and economic value through GIs. This case has significantly contributed to rural revitalization and regional economic development, establishing the Datong model for GI-led industrial development. The public service efforts for the Yellow Flower industry directly increased the average annual income of local agricultural populations by nearly RMB 5,000, resulting in an economic benefit of RMB 4.2 billion across the entire regional industry chain.
4. Empowering the Whole Region with “Three-Chain Collaboration” to Build an Innovation Hub for Intelligent Manufacturing
The Intellectual Property Information Service Center of Dalian University of Technology focused on addressing key technology challenges in high-end equipment manufacturing. By integrating enterprise resources along the industrial chain, exploring technical advantages in the technology chain, and optimizing talent support in the talent chain, the center empowered comprehensive services in patent applications, high-value patent cultivation, technology transfer, and talent recruitment. This facilitated the innovative development of the Yellow Sea Laboratory in Liaoning and accelerated the creation of an “intelligent manufacturing hub” in the province. The case resulted in two projects from the Yellow Sea Laboratory being capitalized for RMB 10 million to establish a company, attracting over RMB 100 million in social investment. Relevant technologies won the National Technology Invention Award (Second Prize) and the Geneva Invention Award (Gold Medal), cultivating over 30 high-value patents and converting technological achievements worth RMB 3 million.
5. Building a Global Trademark Digital Monitoring System to Protect Foreign Trade Enterprises
To address the challenges of detecting trademark squatting overseas, high costs, and low success rates in rights protection, the Zhejiang Provincial Intellectual Property Protection Center developed a global trademark digital monitoring system. This system conducts regular monitoring and risk information screening, extending the overseas trademark warning service chain and providing customized guidance and services to enterprises from multiple dimensions, helping them safeguard their legitimate rights and reduce operating costs. The system now covers 195 countries and regions worldwide, reducing comparison time from 10 minutes to less than 6 seconds. The center has sent warning reports to 19 provinces and cities nationwide, issuing early alerts.
6. Strengthening IP Services to Promote Agricultural Prosperity through Geographical Indications
The Huangshan Intellectual Property Public Service Center established a “1+3+N” service network, focusing on three main lines: a comprehensive policy package, a specialized commissioner team, and a service platform. The network radiates across seven district and county nodes and 16 IP public service outlets, promoting the broadening of public service resources to support rural development through GIs. The center’s innovative efforts in supervision, guidance, asset transformation, practice and research integration, and the combination of Party-building and business have helped local GI-using enterprises receive RMB 5.6 billion in bank credit. Additionally, the center has worked with the postal service to launch nine service measures, benefiting over 200 GI-using enterprises in Huangshan City.
7. IP Digital Integration Service Platform: Building a New Service Ecosystem to Foster New Productivity
Aoke Information Consulting Co., Ltd. in Guangzhou built the country’s first IP digital integration service platform—the Guangzhou Development Zone IP Digital Integration Service Platform. This platform drives the entire IP work chain with data as a key element, inclusive services as the foundation, and key services as the core, focusing on the industrialization of enterprise patents. The platform’s highly replicable and applicable service ecosystem is of great significance in advancing the development of public IP services. It has already established eight specialized industrial databases, registered over 1,000 user entities, managed high-tech enterprises for 742 clients, and facilitated pledge financing totaling over RMB 8 billion.
8. Comprehensive Intellectual Property Management of Scientific Research Projects to Support Technology Transfer
Guangzhou Laboratory introduced a new concept of comprehensive involvement in IP management throughout the life cycle of research projects. This innovative model integrates IP management and technology transfer, enhancing the lab’s capacity for high-quality development. The case produced 365 high-quality domestic patents and 34 international PCT applications. It also facilitated the transfer of 61 patents, achieving a total conversion value of RMB 130 million.
9. Patent Navigation Services to Promote High-Quality Development in the Regional Construction Machinery Industry
The Jiangsu Provincial Intellectual Property Protection Center partnered with the Xuzhou Economic and Technological Development Zone to focus on the development trends in the construction machinery industry and the transformation needs of innovation-driven entities. Through patent navigation services, the center analyzed patent information of key enterprises and technologies in the zone, helping to optimize the allocation and deep integration of resources across the innovation, industry, and capital chains. This initiative resulted in the industrialization of 109 patents, achieving a patent implementation rate of 95%, generating RMB 9.223 billion in product value, and RMB 7.256 billion in sales revenue.
10. Implementing Comprehensive IP Management for Major Projects as the “Think Tank” of Agricultural Innovation in the 14th Five-Year Plan
Huazhong Agricultural University focused on the “14th Five-Year Plan” agricultural technology development trends and research needs prediction project. The university integrated IP creation, utilization, protection, management, and services into the entire chain of technological innovation and technology transfer, producing valuable outcomes. They developed 28 blockchain-based agricultural analysis reports, mapped 518 industry diagrams covering the entire agricultural sector, cultivated 68 high-value patents, identified 209 potentially marketable patents, and facilitated the transfer of 41 patents, achieving open licensing agreements for 11 patents with a total conversion value of RMB 5.01 million.
2024 Excellent Intellectual Property Information Services Cases
1. Pioneering Overseas High-Frequency Plaintiff Risk Early Warning Mechanism to Support Shenzhen Innovators in International Competition
The Shenzhen Intellectual Property Protection Center, addressing the prominent issue of overseas intellectual property disputes, pioneered an overseas high-frequency plaintiff risk early warning mechanism. This is part of a five-pronged system for safeguarding overseas intellectual property rights. By aligning with Shenzhen’s key industrial development plans and needs, the Center optimized its overseas high-frequency plaintiff warning system, monitoring case trends in real-time in hotspot regions and key industries. This system enables early detection, early warnings, and early responses to overseas IP disputes, helping Shenzhen’s innovative entities to better compete internationally. To date, this case has monitored 1,590 overseas IP cases involving Shenzhen companies, covering 5,346 companies, providing one-on-one dispute guidance for 1,554 companies, saving approximately USD 48.2 million in litigation costs and preventing market losses exceeding USD 2.1 billion.
2. Leading Innovation: Global Governance of Intellectual Property in the Telecommunications Field and the High-Quality Development of the Industry
The China Mobile Design Institute actively participates in global governance of intellectual property. Through international patent pool projects, it promoted the integration of 4G with global standards, reducing patent costs for Chinese consumers. The Institute successfully collected patent fees from overseas companies, enhancing the voice of Chinese enterprises in international rules. By establishing an industry data foundation, creating a “5G Patent Strategy Expert Database,” and forming an IP alliance with operators and enterprises, it strengthened regional cooperation and promoted high-quality industry development. This case reduced patent costs for Chinese consumers by more than USD 2 billion and collected over RMB 100 million in patent fees from over 100 companies in the U.S., Japan, and Europe. It also promoted reasonable global 5G patent licensing rates.
3. Shaping the “Village Super” Brand to Boost Rural Revitalization
The Qiandongnan Market Regulation Complaint Center leveraged both intellectual property (IP) system supply and technical support advantages. They implemented various measures to establish and improve the “Village Super” trademark branding, utilization, protection, and management system, creating a unified brand and generating an overall branding effect. By fostering a collaborative model involving government, enterprises, markets, industries, and society, IP helped empower the “Miao Mountain Dong Water · Sweet Rongjiang” brand, promoting comprehensive rural revitalization. The case registered 135 related “Village Super” trademarks and several copyright registrations, introduced 41 new investment projects worth RMB 1.147 billion, and established deep partnerships with 15 leading brands.
4. Fostering Technology Transfer and Promoting High-Quality Development of the Aviation Maintenance Industry
Northwestern Polytechnical University aimed to promote the transfer of original research results by establishing a regular “precise tracking + dual-force” service model. This model continuously provided low-cost, professional information services to the “New Air Route Maintenance” research team, conducting long-term, in-depth, and precise project background research and market demand analysis. It clarified market prospects and gaps through patent layout analysis reports, helping companies precisely plan their development paths and promoting the high-quality development of the aviation maintenance industry. This case supported the evaluation of the research team’s technological achievements at a value of RMB 5.65 million, incubated a high-tech enterprise, and garnered support from the provincial innovation chain plan, winning the province’s Science and Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship Award.
5. Industry Development Research + Patent Navigation Analysis Accelerating the Upgrading of the Pharmaceutical Industry
The Shanghai Health and Development Research Center (Shanghai Medical Science and Technology Information Research Institute) took capsule endoscopy in the field of gastroenterology as the starting point, combining industry development research with patent navigation analysis. The center conducted patent navigation work from aspects such as industry development status, patent navigation, industry layout optimization, innovation subject integration and cultivation, technology innovation introduction, talent recruitment, and collaborative patent operations. It created a capsule endoscopy industry patent database and publicly promoted research results, providing strong support for accelerating the upgrade and high-quality development of the pharmaceutical industry. The case results have been applied in six top-tier hospitals and two leading companies, assisting in patent layout strategies and supporting breakthroughs in key core technologies.
6. Establishing a Full-Process Intellectual Property Service Platform to Accelerate University Research Commercialization
Sichuan University Science Park Development Co., Ltd., based on actual needs, actively explored comprehensive public IP services. By leveraging the patent database navigation platform, big data application alliances, and the “Protection Pass” WeChat mini-program, they provided public service products to innovators. They also promoted in-depth IP services through multi-dispute resolution and face-to-face IP services for grassroots organizations. By forming research groups with key enterprises, they provided services related to technology R&D, infringement risks, and patent layout. This case established over 200 specialized patent databases and conducted over 24,179 patent searches, eliminating IP risk points for enterprises and reducing R&D costs by nearly RMB 2.7 million, achieving significant results.
7. Pooling Resources and Optimizing Services: Creating a Comprehensive Intellectual Property Public Service Model in Chongqing
The Chongqing Intellectual Property Protection Center, based on practical needs, conducted an in-depth exploration of comprehensive IP public services. Through the patent database navigation platform, big data application alliances, and the “Protection Pass” WeChat mini-program, they provided public service products to innovators. This case established over 200 specialized patent databases, with IP services covering over 30 departments and 200 specialized, refined, and new enterprises. By providing over 24,179 patent search inquiries, it helped eliminate enterprise IP risks and reduce R&D costs by nearly RMB 2.7 million, achieving significant impact.
8. Patent Navigation Aiding R&D and Broad Application of Results
Jiangsu University, through this case, provided its research teams with patent navigation, patent layout, and patent infringement early warning services in the field of electromagnetic straightening technology. This helped the team construct a complete patent layout system, applying for 18 invention patents and 3 utility model patents, of which 6 invention patents were granted. The team also successfully overcame the technical bottleneck of electromagnetic straightening for thin sheets. Moreover, the team developed a set of products with fully independent intellectual property rights. These products have been used in large luxury cruise ship construction at a shipbuilding company in Shanghai, completing over 200,000 square meters of thin plate straightening, with efficiency more than five times that of traditional methods. This achievement significantly contributed to the construction of China’s first large luxury cruise ship and has been promoted in other domestic shipbuilding companies.
9. Patent Information Empowering Innovation Throughout the Entire Process for High-Impact Commercialization
Kunming University of Science and Technology, in collaboration with the National Engineering Research Center for Solid Waste Resource Utilization, explored how patent information could empower the integration of the industrial and innovation chains. The team developed a full-process patent information service model covering industry-wide analysis, patent micro-navigation, high-value patent cultivation, and patent award cultivation. This model significantly enhanced the quality and efficiency of patent information services, driving innovation and commercialization of key technologies at the engineering research center. The case successfully cultivated 14 high-value patents, arranged three patent portfolios, with some devices being exported to Vietnam and other Southeast Asian countries. Two patent projects have generated additional profits exceeding RMB 1.1 billion after implementation.
10. Optimizing Service Supply to Improve University Patent Activation Effectiveness
Fuzhou University’s Intellectual Property Information Service Center adopted the philosophy of “optimizing information supply, enhancing the effectiveness of patent activation in universities”. The center provided full-process information services during the patent inventory preparation period, inventory working period, and inventory data application period. This included offering data indexing and rating support, conducting archive quality checks, and matching patent technologies to supply and demand. These services helped the university efficiently complete the inventory of nearly 7,000 existing patents. Additionally, they provided public service products, such as a series of instructional videos on patent activation and a “Patent Inventory Assistant” tool, leading to the successful licensing of 59 university patents, with total contract amounts reaching RMB 28 million.
11. Building a Public Service Platform for Intellectual Property Information and Actively Exploring New Models for IP Public Services
Donghua University created a one-stop comprehensive service platform that integrates information inquiries, policy notifications, intellectual property training, rights protection services, and IP operations. This platform effectively consolidates and shares resources, fostering cross-sector and cross-domain cooperation between the university, government, and enterprises, forming a strong synergy in intellectual property services. The platform significantly enhanced the capacity of innovation entities to use and benefit from intellectual property information. Over the past year, the platform has released nearly 300 pieces of IP information and conducted about 10 public welfare training sessions and legal publicity activities. It has facilitated the commercialization of over 50 patents for the university and served 34 small and micro enterprises, with transactions amounting to RMB 6.33 million.
12. IP Information Services Empowering the Localization and Industrialization of Critical Technologies for Ultra-Thin, Wide, High-Quality Strip Production
Yanshan University focused on the autonomous development of key technologies for the production of ultra-thin, wide, high-quality strips. By providing R&D path analysis, building an industry-related patent technology collection, fostering high-value patents, and conducting industry-docking for the commercialization of results, Yanshan University supported the localization and industrialization of this crucial technology. The goal of lightweight materials was achieved, reducing industry energy consumption, production costs, and environmental pollution, aligning with the national strategy of green development and advanced intelligent manufacturing. This case resulted in the cultivation of 6 core patents and 16 R&D projects signed with several steel companies, with contracts totaling over RMB 10 million, including the transfer of one invention patent for RMB 3.1 million.
13. Implementing a Patent Commercialization Project to Accelerate Enterprise Innovation and Development
The National Intellectual Property Pilot Park in Jinshui District, Zhengzhou, focused on the innovation needs of park enterprises by implementing a patent commercialization project. They created a patent commercialization platform and deepened the application of patent navigation results to promote the integrated development of the industrial chain, technology chain, and talent chain. The park actively guided enterprises to carry out various intellectual property transfer and commercialization activities, such as intensive patent product filing, patent commercialization, and open licensing. Cumulatively, this case achieved 33 patent licenses, 65 patent product filings, 12 university patent transfers, and 21 cases of patent pledge financing. By supporting key regional enterprises, the case promoted the transformation and application of intellectual property rights like patents, trademarks, copyrights, and plant varieties, contributing to the development of a regional industry cluster. This initiative aims to build the park into a key IP commercialization center in central China and even nationwide.
14. Leveraging an Integrated IP Service Platform to Empower the Inheritance and Innovation of Traditional Chinese Medicine
The Beijing University of Chinese Medicine’s Intellectual Property Information Service Center conducted high-quality services such as pre-patent application evaluations, customized services for research projects, diversified training, and resource connection for the industry. These efforts have established the service center as a comprehensive platform with a focus on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) intellectual property. The platform provides support for research innovation, talent cultivation, results commercialization, and industrial development in the TCM field. This case completed 21 pre-patent evaluation projects, significantly improving patent quality. It also organized the first patent retrieval competition in the TCM field, boosting students’ IP knowledge and skills. Additionally, the team facilitated the successful commercialization of a chicory project, generating a transaction value of RMB 35 million, and one patent from the project won the Excellence Award at the 24th China Patent Award.
15. “IP Information Plus” Empowering High-Quality Development of Top 100 “Small Giant” Enterprises
The Fangchenggang Intellectual Property Protection Center focused on the needs of specialized, refined, and innovative “Small Giant” enterprises in the new materials sector to serve national strategic demands. Through a cross-regional expert collaboration mechanism, the center, based in Guangxi and aimed at the ASEAN market, developed the “Fangchenggang Model” for the high-quality development of enterprises by integrating the creation, utilization, protection, and management of intellectual property. The case summarized a set of standardized IP service guidelines and practices for new materials enterprises, linking innovation to the global market. Over the past five years, this case facilitated the application of 60 patents, with 67% being high-value patents, and secured more than RMB 1 billion in financing from 37 patent pledges.
Comments
By organizing the selection and publication of the 2024 Top 10 Cases and Excellent Cases in Intellectual Property Information Services, the CNIPA showcased the outstanding contributions of IP public service institutions across the country in promoting technological innovation, facilitating patent transformation, supporting the growth of SMEs, and revitalizing industries through geographical indications. These cases not only summarize the advanced experiences in IP services but also provide a valuable reference for other regions and sectors through their precise service models and innovative solutions. These exemplary practices further enhance the overall efficiency of China’s public IP services and promote the high-quality development of intellectual property across industries.
2024 Top 10 Intellectual Property Information Service Cases
1. Enhancing Information Services to Accurately Support Enterprise Growth
The Shandong Provincial Intellectual Property Development Center reviewed more than 2,100 high-tech, market-potential, and transformation-oriented patent technology achievements from universities and research institutes. Through manual analysis, intelligent matching, patent information distribution, and supply-demand matching, the center helped small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) efficiently access innovation resources, reduce innovation costs, and solve growth challenges. This case exemplifies how IP information services can facilitate technology transfer and support SME innovation. The initiative resulted in 107 patent transfers and licenses, incubating 23 patents into actual enterprises, and the implementation of 66 patents through “patent packages”. A total of 82 high-value patents were auctioned, generating a total of RMB 19.62 million in sales.
2. Targeting Future Technologies and Supporting Innovation in 6G Intelligent Simplified Networks
Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications selected its researchers’ patent data and academic papers in the 6G intelligent simplified network field to showcase the trends and patent distribution in this research area from various perspectives, such as academic output, quality, influence, and patent analysis. This case provided valuable support for the research directions of key national laboratories in the 6G field and served as a reference for talent cultivation. It facilitated the transformation of 13 high-value patents, with one patent involving equity investment, generating economic benefits of RMB 2.6 million. Additionally, the research findings supported the school’s July launch of the world’s first test network for 6G communication and intelligence integration. This case is a good model for IP services in new academic discipline construction and the promotion of industry-academia-research integration.
3. Yellow Flower Industry Information Service Empowering Geographical Indications for Rural Revitalization
The Datong Intellectual Property Development Center leveraged the advantages of local resources by establishing a five-in-one development framework involving the government, associations, leading enterprises, cooperatives, and farmers. By conducting policy promotion, benchmark setting, and specialized training, they enhanced the brand effect of the “Yellow Flower” industry, raised awareness of geographical indications (GIs), and empowered product quality and economic value through GIs. This case has significantly contributed to rural revitalization and regional economic development, establishing the Datong model for GI-led industrial development. The public service efforts for the Yellow Flower industry directly increased the average annual income of local agricultural populations by nearly RMB 5,000, resulting in an economic benefit of RMB 4.2 billion across the entire regional industry chain.
4. Empowering the Whole Region with “Three-Chain Collaboration” to Build an Innovation Hub for Intelligent Manufacturing
The Intellectual Property Information Service Center of Dalian University of Technology focused on addressing key technology challenges in high-end equipment manufacturing. By integrating enterprise resources along the industrial chain, exploring technical advantages in the technology chain, and optimizing talent support in the talent chain, the center empowered comprehensive services in patent applications, high-value patent cultivation, technology transfer, and talent recruitment. This facilitated the innovative development of the Yellow Sea Laboratory in Liaoning and accelerated the creation of an “intelligent manufacturing hub” in the province. The case resulted in two projects from the Yellow Sea Laboratory being capitalized for RMB 10 million to establish a company, attracting over RMB 100 million in social investment. Relevant technologies won the National Technology Invention Award (Second Prize) and the Geneva Invention Award (Gold Medal), cultivating over 30 high-value patents and converting technological achievements worth RMB 3 million.
5. Building a Global Trademark Digital Monitoring System to Protect Foreign Trade Enterprises
To address the challenges of detecting trademark squatting overseas, high costs, and low success rates in rights protection, the Zhejiang Provincial Intellectual Property Protection Center developed a global trademark digital monitoring system. This system conducts regular monitoring and risk information screening, extending the overseas trademark warning service chain and providing customized guidance and services to enterprises from multiple dimensions, helping them safeguard their legitimate rights and reduce operating costs. The system now covers 195 countries and regions worldwide, reducing comparison time from 10 minutes to less than 6 seconds. The center has sent warning reports to 19 provinces and cities nationwide, issuing early alerts.
6. Strengthening IP Services to Promote Agricultural Prosperity through Geographical Indications
The Huangshan Intellectual Property Public Service Center established a “1+3+N” service network, focusing on three main lines: a comprehensive policy package, a specialized commissioner team, and a service platform. The network radiates across seven district and county nodes and 16 IP public service outlets, promoting the broadening of public service resources to support rural development through GIs. The center’s innovative efforts in supervision, guidance, asset transformation, practice and research integration, and the combination of Party-building and business have helped local GI-using enterprises receive RMB 5.6 billion in bank credit. Additionally, the center has worked with the postal service to launch nine service measures, benefiting over 200 GI-using enterprises in Huangshan City.
7. IP Digital Integration Service Platform: Building a New Service Ecosystem to Foster New Productivity
Aoke Information Consulting Co., Ltd. in Guangzhou built the country’s first IP digital integration service platform—the Guangzhou Development Zone IP Digital Integration Service Platform. This platform drives the entire IP work chain with data as a key element, inclusive services as the foundation, and key services as the core, focusing on the industrialization of enterprise patents. The platform’s highly replicable and applicable service ecosystem is of great significance in advancing the development of public IP services. It has already established eight specialized industrial databases, registered over 1,000 user entities, managed high-tech enterprises for 742 clients, and facilitated pledge financing totaling over RMB 8 billion.
8. Comprehensive Intellectual Property Management of Scientific Research Projects to Support Technology Transfer
Guangzhou Laboratory introduced a new concept of comprehensive involvement in IP management throughout the life cycle of research projects. This innovative model integrates IP management and technology transfer, enhancing the lab’s capacity for high-quality development. The case produced 365 high-quality domestic patents and 34 international PCT applications. It also facilitated the transfer of 61 patents, achieving a total conversion value of RMB 130 million.
9. Patent Navigation Services to Promote High-Quality Development in the Regional Construction Machinery Industry
The Jiangsu Provincial Intellectual Property Protection Center partnered with the Xuzhou Economic and Technological Development Zone to focus on the development trends in the construction machinery industry and the transformation needs of innovation-driven entities. Through patent navigation services, the center analyzed patent information of key enterprises and technologies in the zone, helping to optimize the allocation and deep integration of resources across the innovation, industry, and capital chains. This initiative resulted in the industrialization of 109 patents, achieving a patent implementation rate of 95%, generating RMB 9.223 billion in product value, and RMB 7.256 billion in sales revenue.
10. Implementing Comprehensive IP Management for Major Projects as the “Think Tank” of Agricultural Innovation in the 14th Five-Year Plan
Huazhong Agricultural University focused on the “14th Five-Year Plan” agricultural technology development trends and research needs prediction project. The university integrated IP creation, utilization, protection, management, and services into the entire chain of technological innovation and technology transfer, producing valuable outcomes. They developed 28 blockchain-based agricultural analysis reports, mapped 518 industry diagrams covering the entire agricultural sector, cultivated 68 high-value patents, identified 209 potentially marketable patents, and facilitated the transfer of 41 patents, achieving open licensing agreements for 11 patents with a total conversion value of RMB 5.01 million.
2024 Excellent Intellectual Property Information Services Cases
1. Pioneering Overseas High-Frequency Plaintiff Risk Early Warning Mechanism to Support Shenzhen Innovators in International Competition
The Shenzhen Intellectual Property Protection Center, addressing the prominent issue of overseas intellectual property disputes, pioneered an overseas high-frequency plaintiff risk early warning mechanism. This is part of a five-pronged system for safeguarding overseas intellectual property rights. By aligning with Shenzhen’s key industrial development plans and needs, the Center optimized its overseas high-frequency plaintiff warning system, monitoring case trends in real-time in hotspot regions and key industries. This system enables early detection, early warnings, and early responses to overseas IP disputes, helping Shenzhen’s innovative entities to better compete internationally. To date, this case has monitored 1,590 overseas IP cases involving Shenzhen companies, covering 5,346 companies, providing one-on-one dispute guidance for 1,554 companies, saving approximately USD 48.2 million in litigation costs and preventing market losses exceeding USD 2.1 billion.
2. Leading Innovation: Global Governance of Intellectual Property in the Telecommunications Field and the High-Quality Development of the Industry
The China Mobile Design Institute actively participates in global governance of intellectual property. Through international patent pool projects, it promoted the integration of 4G with global standards, reducing patent costs for Chinese consumers. The Institute successfully collected patent fees from overseas companies, enhancing the voice of Chinese enterprises in international rules. By establishing an industry data foundation, creating a “5G Patent Strategy Expert Database,” and forming an IP alliance with operators and enterprises, it strengthened regional cooperation and promoted high-quality industry development. This case reduced patent costs for Chinese consumers by more than USD 2 billion and collected over RMB 100 million in patent fees from over 100 companies in the U.S., Japan, and Europe. It also promoted reasonable global 5G patent licensing rates.
3. Shaping the “Village Super” Brand to Boost Rural Revitalization
The Qiandongnan Market Regulation Complaint Center leveraged both intellectual property (IP) system supply and technical support advantages. They implemented various measures to establish and improve the “Village Super” trademark branding, utilization, protection, and management system, creating a unified brand and generating an overall branding effect. By fostering a collaborative model involving government, enterprises, markets, industries, and society, IP helped empower the “Miao Mountain Dong Water · Sweet Rongjiang” brand, promoting comprehensive rural revitalization. The case registered 135 related “Village Super” trademarks and several copyright registrations, introduced 41 new investment projects worth RMB 1.147 billion, and established deep partnerships with 15 leading brands.
4. Fostering Technology Transfer and Promoting High-Quality Development of the Aviation Maintenance Industry
Northwestern Polytechnical University aimed to promote the transfer of original research results by establishing a regular “precise tracking + dual-force” service model. This model continuously provided low-cost, professional information services to the “New Air Route Maintenance” research team, conducting long-term, in-depth, and precise project background research and market demand analysis. It clarified market prospects and gaps through patent layout analysis reports, helping companies precisely plan their development paths and promoting the high-quality development of the aviation maintenance industry. This case supported the evaluation of the research team’s technological achievements at a value of RMB 5.65 million, incubated a high-tech enterprise, and garnered support from the provincial innovation chain plan, winning the province’s Science and Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship Award.
5. Industry Development Research + Patent Navigation Analysis Accelerating the Upgrading of the Pharmaceutical Industry
The Shanghai Health and Development Research Center (Shanghai Medical Science and Technology Information Research Institute) took capsule endoscopy in the field of gastroenterology as the starting point, combining industry development research with patent navigation analysis. The center conducted patent navigation work from aspects such as industry development status, patent navigation, industry layout optimization, innovation subject integration and cultivation, technology innovation introduction, talent recruitment, and collaborative patent operations. It created a capsule endoscopy industry patent database and publicly promoted research results, providing strong support for accelerating the upgrade and high-quality development of the pharmaceutical industry. The case results have been applied in six top-tier hospitals and two leading companies, assisting in patent layout strategies and supporting breakthroughs in key core technologies.
6. Establishing a Full-Process Intellectual Property Service Platform to Accelerate University Research Commercialization
Sichuan University Science Park Development Co., Ltd., based on actual needs, actively explored comprehensive public IP services. By leveraging the patent database navigation platform, big data application alliances, and the “Protection Pass” WeChat mini-program, they provided public service products to innovators. They also promoted in-depth IP services through multi-dispute resolution and face-to-face IP services for grassroots organizations. By forming research groups with key enterprises, they provided services related to technology R&D, infringement risks, and patent layout. This case established over 200 specialized patent databases and conducted over 24,179 patent searches, eliminating IP risk points for enterprises and reducing R&D costs by nearly RMB 2.7 million, achieving significant results.
7. Pooling Resources and Optimizing Services: Creating a Comprehensive Intellectual Property Public Service Model in Chongqing
The Chongqing Intellectual Property Protection Center, based on practical needs, conducted an in-depth exploration of comprehensive IP public services. Through the patent database navigation platform, big data application alliances, and the “Protection Pass” WeChat mini-program, they provided public service products to innovators. This case established over 200 specialized patent databases, with IP services covering over 30 departments and 200 specialized, refined, and new enterprises. By providing over 24,179 patent search inquiries, it helped eliminate enterprise IP risks and reduce R&D costs by nearly RMB 2.7 million, achieving significant impact.
8. Patent Navigation Aiding R&D and Broad Application of Results
Jiangsu University, through this case, provided its research teams with patent navigation, patent layout, and patent infringement early warning services in the field of electromagnetic straightening technology. This helped the team construct a complete patent layout system, applying for 18 invention patents and 3 utility model patents, of which 6 invention patents were granted. The team also successfully overcame the technical bottleneck of electromagnetic straightening for thin sheets. Moreover, the team developed a set of products with fully independent intellectual property rights. These products have been used in large luxury cruise ship construction at a shipbuilding company in Shanghai, completing over 200,000 square meters of thin plate straightening, with efficiency more than five times that of traditional methods. This achievement significantly contributed to the construction of China’s first large luxury cruise ship and has been promoted in other domestic shipbuilding companies.
9. Patent Information Empowering Innovation Throughout the Entire Process for High-Impact Commercialization
Kunming University of Science and Technology, in collaboration with the National Engineering Research Center for Solid Waste Resource Utilization, explored how patent information could empower the integration of the industrial and innovation chains. The team developed a full-process patent information service model covering industry-wide analysis, patent micro-navigation, high-value patent cultivation, and patent award cultivation. This model significantly enhanced the quality and efficiency of patent information services, driving innovation and commercialization of key technologies at the engineering research center. The case successfully cultivated 14 high-value patents, arranged three patent portfolios, with some devices being exported to Vietnam and other Southeast Asian countries. Two patent projects have generated additional profits exceeding RMB 1.1 billion after implementation.
10. Optimizing Service Supply to Improve University Patent Activation Effectiveness
Fuzhou University’s Intellectual Property Information Service Center adopted the philosophy of “optimizing information supply, enhancing the effectiveness of patent activation in universities”. The center provided full-process information services during the patent inventory preparation period, inventory working period, and inventory data application period. This included offering data indexing and rating support, conducting archive quality checks, and matching patent technologies to supply and demand. These services helped the university efficiently complete the inventory of nearly 7,000 existing patents. Additionally, they provided public service products, such as a series of instructional videos on patent activation and a “Patent Inventory Assistant” tool, leading to the successful licensing of 59 university patents, with total contract amounts reaching RMB 28 million.
11. Building a Public Service Platform for Intellectual Property Information and Actively Exploring New Models for IP Public Services
Donghua University created a one-stop comprehensive service platform that integrates information inquiries, policy notifications, intellectual property training, rights protection services, and IP operations. This platform effectively consolidates and shares resources, fostering cross-sector and cross-domain cooperation between the university, government, and enterprises, forming a strong synergy in intellectual property services. The platform significantly enhanced the capacity of innovation entities to use and benefit from intellectual property information. Over the past year, the platform has released nearly 300 pieces of IP information and conducted about 10 public welfare training sessions and legal publicity activities. It has facilitated the commercialization of over 50 patents for the university and served 34 small and micro enterprises, with transactions amounting to RMB 6.33 million.
12. IP Information Services Empowering the Localization and Industrialization of Critical Technologies for Ultra-Thin, Wide, High-Quality Strip Production
Yanshan University focused on the autonomous development of key technologies for the production of ultra-thin, wide, high-quality strips. By providing R&D path analysis, building an industry-related patent technology collection, fostering high-value patents, and conducting industry-docking for the commercialization of results, Yanshan University supported the localization and industrialization of this crucial technology. The goal of lightweight materials was achieved, reducing industry energy consumption, production costs, and environmental pollution, aligning with the national strategy of green development and advanced intelligent manufacturing. This case resulted in the cultivation of 6 core patents and 16 R&D projects signed with several steel companies, with contracts totaling over RMB 10 million, including the transfer of one invention patent for RMB 3.1 million.
13. Implementing a Patent Commercialization Project to Accelerate Enterprise Innovation and Development
The National Intellectual Property Pilot Park in Jinshui District, Zhengzhou, focused on the innovation needs of park enterprises by implementing a patent commercialization project. They created a patent commercialization platform and deepened the application of patent navigation results to promote the integrated development of the industrial chain, technology chain, and talent chain. The park actively guided enterprises to carry out various intellectual property transfer and commercialization activities, such as intensive patent product filing, patent commercialization, and open licensing. Cumulatively, this case achieved 33 patent licenses, 65 patent product filings, 12 university patent transfers, and 21 cases of patent pledge financing. By supporting key regional enterprises, the case promoted the transformation and application of intellectual property rights like patents, trademarks, copyrights, and plant varieties, contributing to the development of a regional industry cluster. This initiative aims to build the park into a key IP commercialization center in central China and even nationwide.
14. Leveraging an Integrated IP Service Platform to Empower the Inheritance and Innovation of Traditional Chinese Medicine
The Beijing University of Chinese Medicine’s Intellectual Property Information Service Center conducted high-quality services such as pre-patent application evaluations, customized services for research projects, diversified training, and resource connection for the industry. These efforts have established the service center as a comprehensive platform with a focus on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) intellectual property. The platform provides support for research innovation, talent cultivation, results commercialization, and industrial development in the TCM field. This case completed 21 pre-patent evaluation projects, significantly improving patent quality. It also organized the first patent retrieval competition in the TCM field, boosting students’ IP knowledge and skills. Additionally, the team facilitated the successful commercialization of a chicory project, generating a transaction value of RMB 35 million, and one patent from the project won the Excellence Award at the 24th China Patent Award.
15. “IP Information Plus” Empowering High-Quality Development of Top 100 “Small Giant” Enterprises
The Fangchenggang Intellectual Property Protection Center focused on the needs of specialized, refined, and innovative “Small Giant” enterprises in the new materials sector to serve national strategic demands. Through a cross-regional expert collaboration mechanism, the center, based in Guangxi and aimed at the ASEAN market, developed the “Fangchenggang Model” for the high-quality development of enterprises by integrating the creation, utilization, protection, and management of intellectual property. The case summarized a set of standardized IP service guidelines and practices for new materials enterprises, linking innovation to the global market. Over the past five years, this case facilitated the application of 60 patents, with 67% being high-value patents, and secured more than RMB 1 billion in financing from 37 patent pledges.
Comments
By organizing the selection and publication of the 2024 Top 10 Cases and Excellent Cases in Intellectual Property Information Services, the CNIPA showcased the outstanding contributions of IP public service institutions across the country in promoting technological innovation, facilitating patent transformation, supporting the growth of SMEs, and revitalizing industries through geographical indications. These cases not only summarize the advanced experiences in IP services but also provide a valuable reference for other regions and sectors through their precise service models and innovative solutions. These exemplary practices further enhance the overall efficiency of China’s public IP services and promote the high-quality development of intellectual property across industries.