At the 14th China Intellectual Property Annual Conference in Beijing, experts highlighted the key role of intellectual property, or IP in driving innovation and growth in the digital economy.
Moreover, they emphasized how IP systems support emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and data-driven industries.
The China National Intellectual Property Administration has introduced principles for data IP protection, focusing on functional, integrated data sets. Since 2021, pilot programs across 17 provinces have explored registration, rights protection, and transaction mechanisms — unlocking data's potential as a core economic resource.
Local authorities are also strengthening their IP systems. Shanghai, for example, has optimized regulations, policy support, and administrative mechanisms.
That's been to enhance patent reviews, data IP registrations and administrative adjudications, according to Yu Chen, deputy director-general of the Shanghai Intellectual Property Administration. These measures aim to create a robust environment for innovation and IP commercialization.
Industry leaders stressed at the conference that IP was central to competitiveness. Huawei highlighted patent pools to support AI model training.
Xiaomi emphasized combining technological and industrial innovation and Dolby noted that licensing connects ecosystems, while Tencent underlined how digital content IP drives information flow and value creation.
In sectors from pharmaceuticals to electric vehicles, IP underpins long-term R&D and global expansion.
AbbVie praised patent protection for encouraging drug innovation and Chinese EV firms were urged to strengthen their overseas patent strategies.
Experts all agreed that robust IP systems were essential for sustainable growth and global competitiveness.
