Shanghai is advancing its intellectual property (IP) services to better support industrial innovation and high-quality development. The Shanghai Intellectual Property Administration (SIPA) has leveraged national resources and regional collaboration to create a Shanghai model for IP services.
SIPA has identified three major disconnects in the IP service sector: misalignment with industry needs, gaps between service capabilities and the value chain, and service models isolated from innovation. These issues limit the sector's ability to fully support industrial growth and technological progress.
To accelerate transformation, Shanghai is prioritizing key enterprises with strong innovation capabilities and high IP demand. China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) exemplifies this approach, integrating IP to protect innovation, mitigate patent risks, and enhance global competitiveness in ships and marine equipment, including large cruise vessels.
SIPA collaborates with the Patent Examination Cooperation Center in Jiangsu to provide national team expertise. This includes comprehensive global patent analysis, multi-dimensional patent–non-patent–industry data integration, and on-site engagement with CSSC to identify technical bottlenecks and optimize R&D and IP strategies.
Shanghai has established an IP service fast lane, a Key Enterprise IP Service Alliance, and targeted IP initiatives that guide service providers to integrate deeply into enterprise development. High-quality patent agencies rose from 60 in 2024 to 87 in 2025, enhancing the sector's reliability and impact.
Looking ahead, Shanghai plans to deepen production-oriented service reforms for key enterprises, fostering an IP ecosystem that aligns with industry innovation and global standards, driving sustainable, high-quality industrial growth.
