In 2022, the Chinese government further consolidated the foundation of the rule of law on intellectual property rights, deepened the reform of the intellectual property protection system and mechanism, continuously strengthen the protection of the entire chain of intellectual property rights, built a security barrier in the field of intellectual property rights, and extensively carried out publicity and training on intellectual property rights protection. Positive progress has been made in various tasks. The white paper introduces the progress of China's intellectual property protection in 2022 from five aspects and attaches multiple columns to focus on typical cases of intellectual property protection.

First, in terms of protection effectiveness, the protection of the whole chain has been continuously strengthened, and the work in all aspects has achieved remarkable results. In 2022, the Chinese government continued making efforts in terms of strict protection, large protection, fast protection, and uniform protection of intellectual property rights. Continuously strengthen the civil, administrative, and criminal trials of intellectual property rights, and do in-depth and solid work related to intellectual property rights inspections; organize and carry out a number of special administrative law enforcement actions to strengthen patents, trademarks, copyrights, Olympic symbols, new plant varieties, and anti-unfair competition. Intellectual property protection in key areas and key links such as customs and online markets; continue to strengthen protection capacity building, improve the system and mechanism of intellectual property protection work, strengthen inspection, assessment, and evaluation of protection work, strengthen law enforcement guidance for trademarks and patents, and improve rapid and coordinated protection, rights protection assistance, dispute mediation and other working mechanisms, increase the crackdown on abnormal patent applications and malicious trademark registrations, carry out national innovation pilots for the protection of commercial secrets, and strengthen the construction of mechanisms for responding to overseas intellectual property disputes.

Second, regarding institutional construction, the institutional system has been continuously improved, and positive progress has been made in the construction of the rule of law. In 2022, we adhered to the requirement of comprehensively governing the country by law and strived to strengthen the legal protection of intellectual property rights. Three laws and regulations related to intellectual property rights were revised and implemented throughout the year, 2 judicial interpretations related to intellectual property protection were issued, and more than 20 normative documents and policy documents related to the implementation of intellectual property protection were issued. Local comprehensive legislation on intellectual property protection has achieved positive results progress.

Third, as for examination and approval and registration, the number of intellectual property examinations and registration has maintained growth, and the quality and efficiency of examinations have been steadily improved. By the end of 2022, the effective number of invention patents in China was 4.212 million, an increase of 17.1% year-on-year; the effective number of utility model patents was 10.835 million, an increase of 17.2% year-on-year; The number of valid registered trademarks was 42.672 million, a year-on-year increase of 14.6%; the total annual registration of copyrights in China was 6.353 million, a year-on-year increase of 1.4%; a total of 2,495 geographical indication products were approved for protection, and geographical indications were approved for registration as collective trademarks and certification marks 7,076 cases, and a total of 23,500 market entities that have approved the use of special geographical indication signs; 11,000 applications for new variety rights of agricultural plants were accepted throughout the year, a year-on-year increase of 15.2%, and 3,375 were authorized; a total of 8,836 applications for new variety rights of forestry and grass plants were accepted, 4055 applications were authorized.

Fourth, in terms of cultural construction, the publicity channels have been effectively expanded to help the whole society to further enhance the awareness of intellectual property protection. A special press conference on "The Decade of Intellectual Property Rights" was held to systematically sort out the development and achievements of the intellectual property cause, with nearly 4,000 related reports; 10 white papers and series reports on intellectual property protection were released, and he typical cases of intellectual property protection was released; successfully held Intellectual Property Publicity Week and other important activities; continued to promote intellectual property education and training, and strengthened the development of intellectual property distance courses.

Fifth, in terms of international cooperation, multilateral and bilateral cooperation has been deepened and solified, and international cooperation has achieved fruitful results. In 2022, the Chinese government continued deepening exchanges and cooperation with international organizations such as the WIPO and intellectual property institutions in various countries and regions, deeply participated in global intellectual property governance, and advocated joint strengthening of intellectual property protection. The Hague Agreement on the International Registration of Industrial Designs and the Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired, or Otherwise Print Disabled have come into force in China. High-quality implementation of intellectual property-related content in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. Conscientiously implement the China-EU Agreement on the Protection and Cooperation of Geographical Indications, and publicize the second batch of China-EU Geographical Indication Mutual Recognition and Mutual Guarantee Products List.

From CNIPA

June 30th, 2023