CNIPA's Calculated Measures Inspire Innovation From SMEs

In a bid to meet the demands of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for innovative development through IP services, China Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) in recent years has been deeply implementing SMEs IP strategy promotion projects jointly with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and introducing and promoting a series of policies and measures. In 2020, more than 20,000 SMEs benefited from the IP trusteeship services; nearly 8,000 SMEs obtained about loans of 60 billion yuan by pledging their IPs as collaterals; 53,000 companies passed the enterprise IP management standards certification, most of which were SMEs and 5,729 national IP template enterprises were cultivated, 76% of which were SMEs. At the end of 2020, the research and development intensity, the average number of valid invention patents and IP pledge financing of SMEs from template enterprises were respectively 4.8%, 29.4 and 1.08, much higher than the national average numbers, namely 2.2%, 2.9 and 0.01.

Custom-made IP policies were implemented to fight against the epidemic. In February 2020, CNIPA, the State Administration for Market Regulation and National Medical Products Administration jointly promulgated the Ten Measures to Support the Resumption of Work and Production, advocating easy access to patent and trademark applications and pledge registration. Nearly 3,000 anti-epidemic enterprises gained loans through fast-track pledge registration. In March, CNIPA issued ten measures to promote IP commercialization including immediate handling and on-the-spot service to support the production and sales of geographical indication (GI) products and guided local IP administrations to introduce 70 pieces of IP policy texts to promote enterprises' development all year round. In April, CNIPA unveiled specific polices to support and guide IP service sectors to stabilize and boost employment. In 2020, 1,619 IP service institutions were organized to carry out 351 recruitment activities, 648 publicity and training campaigns and more than 9,000 IP service -related jobs were provided.

Quality and efficiency of IP examination were improved to foster development. First, the building of an intelligent examination system was accelerated by using Internet, big data and AI to enhance the quality and efficiency of patent examination and trademark registration. As of the end of 2020, the pendency for invention patents and high-value patents respectively shrunk to 20 months and 14 months; the average pendency for trademarks was curtailed to four months. Second, examination services including intensive examination, preferential examination and roving examination were provided to cater to SMEs' innovative demands. Third, patent charge reduction conditions were liberalized substantially and trademark charge standard was lowered. During the period of the 13th Five-Year Plan, 47.17 billion yuan was cut in handling patent and trademark business, effectively reducing the cost of SMEs in IP gathering and portfolio planning. Fourth, IP business handled at one service window was promoted. In China, 27 provincial service windows achieved the goal to handle all IP-related business and, names of 203 windows in cities and counties were changed uniformly by the end of 2020.

Enterprises' vitality was motivated through IP services. First, SMEs were encouraged to implement the enterprise IP management standards and their relevant abilities were strengthened. As of the end of 2020, the number of companies passed the enterprise IP management standards certification reached 53,000, most of which were SMEs. Second, IP trusteeship service system centering on SMEs was established. The pilot work was carried out at 35 parks with SMEs assembling in 20 pilot cities and areas. In 2020, IP trusteeship services were provided to more than 20,000 SMEs, and the activity to support the development of enterprises through IP service was carried out nationwide. Over 7,000 times of abundant and various events were held, benefiting more than 50,000 companies, with SMEs taking up a majority. Third, 5,729 national IP template enterprises were cultivated, 4,354 of which were SMEs, accounting for 76%.

Enterprises' demands for funds were met through IP commercialization services. First, the facilitation of IP pledge services was promoted by setting up fast-track registration channels for patent and trademark pledging. Electronic registration for patent pledging was reduced to one day. In 2020, IP pledge financing amounted to 218 billion yuan, up 44%. Second, exploration of IP securitization was supported. In 2020, ten IP securitization products were issued in Shanghai and Shenzhen, granting a financing scale of 6.9 billion yuan and providing a more convenient financing channel for technology-based SMEs. Third, IP insurance product system was improved. Four types of insurances covering 16 insurance products were launched, involving trademark and GI infringement damage insurance and overseas infringement liability insurance. In 2020, 3,667 enterprises insured over 6,900 patents, trademarks and GIs, with insurance amount reaching 19.4 billion yuan.

IP services were promoted coordinatively to boost development. First, fast and coordinated IP protection was enhanced. In 2020, 14 IP protection centers were set up focusing on servicing key industries, and 62 IP protection centers and fast right-protection centers established and around 18,000 companies put on record, providing quick examination, quick right determination and quick enforcement services for SMEs. Second, seven national standards related to the Patent Navigation Guide were formulated to provide method and tool guidance for SMEs in patent navigation practice. Some patent navigation projects were implemented from the aspects of regions, industries and enterprises, improving innovative efficiency of SMEs. Third, the IP commercialization platform system of integrating platform, institution, capital and industry was initially built, promoting 37 key cities to carry out the construction of IP commercialization and service system. Fourth, IP services sectors were developed rapidly. As of the end of 2019, IP service-related enterprises had reached 66,000, 98% of which were SMEs, up 8.2%; the number of relevant employees was 820,000, up 2.6%; business incomes exceeded 210 billion yuan, up 13.2%. As of the end of 2020, IP information public service institutions were established in 28 provinces, autonomous regions and cities and 15 sub-provincial cities, and 51 Technology and Innovation Support Centers and 60 National Intellectual Property Information Centers in Colleges and Universities were established.