Shanghai Intellectual Property Protection Center, which officially began operations in February 2023, continues to help optimize the business environment by extending its service network to the „last mile“ for enterprises.

After its official launch, the center has focused on two strategic emerging industries—new materials and energy conservation/environmental protection—carrying out integrated intellectual property coordination and protection work covering „rapid pre-examination, rapid validation, and rapid rights protection.“

Over 30 corporate representatives and members of the public visited the Shanghai Intellectual Property Protection Center.

On the 21st, the Shanghai Intellectual Property Administration held a „Government Open Month“ event. More than 30 corporate representatives and members of the public visited the center to learn about the current state of reform and development in Shanghai’s intellectual property initiatives, as well as pro-business policy services such as patent pre-examination, helping to create a first-class business and innovation environment.

Shanghai continues to improve the rapid coordination and protection mechanism for intellectual property in key industries. With the Shanghai Intellectual Property Protection Center and the Pudong New Area Intellectual Property Protection Center as „two wings,“ efforts are underway to establish the first batch of branch centers in six areas: Lingang, Huangpu, Jing’an, Putuo, Yangpu, and Songjiang. This allows intellectual property protection to be delivered more quickly. Focusing on three leading industries—integrated circuits, artificial intelligence, and biomedicine—Shanghai has innovatively established specialized intellectual property protection committees, enabling technical support to respond more swiftly to industry needs.

That day, a humanoid robotics company in Shanghai explained that systematic management, layout, protection, and operation of intellectual property have always been at the core of the company’s strategic planning. The professional services of the Shanghai Intellectual Property Protection Center have laid a crucial foundation for the company’s technological breakthroughs and industrial implementation. „The patent pre-examination services provided by the center have helped address the efficiency of intellectual property protection for innovative companies operating against a backdrop of rapid technological iteration and short market windows,“ the company stated. „Through the convenient filing channel of the ‚One-Network‘ system, we completed the entire filing process in just 7 working days. The precise review and rapid response mechanism in the pre-examination phase significantly shortened the patent authorization cycle compared to traditional processes. Currently, the company’s invention patents can be authorized in as little as one month, allowing core technologies to obtain legal protection as quickly as possible.“

To date, the company has applied for nearly 90 patents in the fields of hardware, algorithms, and software. Among these, 30 were submitted through the center’s pre-examination channel, and 23 have already been officially authorized. „The ‚Robot Patent Navigation Report‘ organized and released by the center provided precise guidance for our technological innovation direction, making our intellectual property layout more aligned with industry development trends,“ the company added.

Innovative achievements in the new energy vehicle industry urgently require intellectual property protection. A relevant automaker stated that the pre-examination support and intellectual property protection training provided by the center allowed the company’s R&D innovations to be quickly protected, avoiding the loss of technological achievements and eliminating potential adverse effects on market first-mover advantage. At the same time, from the perspective of encouraging innovation, it stimulated the enthusiasm of R&D engineers, accelerated breakthroughs in core technical challenges, and won the company valuable opportunities in market competition.

Another leading domestic fuel cell technology provider mentioned that, relying on the patent pre-examination channel of the center, the company accelerated the patent authorization process for its core hydrogen energy technologies. After the launch of the pre-examination service, two subsidiaries responsible for core product R&D and sales became among the first companies to file with the center, playing a key role in the rapid protection of innovation results. Rapid patent authorization won precious time for the company to seize market opportunities.

In the company’s view, pre-examination not only brings speed improvements but also imposes stricter quality requirements than ordinary applications. This has actually compelled the company to set higher internal standards for mining innovation results, evaluating them, and preparing patent application documents, prompting the company to enhance the creativity level of patents and the comprehensiveness of protection scope.

The Shanghai Intellectual Property Protection Center will continue to deepen its intellectual property coordination and protection services, empowering the development of strategic emerging industries and helping Shanghai accelerate its growth into a globally influential hub for technological innovation. The Shanghai Intellectual Property Administration stated that it will regularly carry out diverse government open activities to enhance the quality and effectiveness of public-government and business-government interaction, fostering a culture that „respects knowledge, champions innovation, upholds integrity and lawfulness, and ensures fair competition.“

Shanghai Intellectual Property Protection Center

The Shanghai Intellectuality Property Protection Center is a modern institution established to support the city’s innovation-driven economy by offering comprehensive IP services. It was created to streamline patent examinations and provide businesses with faster, more efficient protection for their intellectual property. This center reflects China’s broader national strategy to strengthen its IP framework and encourage technological advancement.

Pudong New Area Intellectual Property Protection Center

The Pudong New Area Intellectual Property Protection Center is a specialized institution established in Shanghai, China, to strengthen the enforcement and management of intellectual property rights. It was created as part of China’s broader national strategy to foster innovation and provide a robust legal framework for IP owners. The center offers services like rapid rights confirmation, enforcement coordination, and comprehensive protection for patents, trademarks, and copyrights.

Lingang

Lingang is a major planned city and economic zone in Shanghai, China, developed in the early 21st century on reclaimed land. It was established to serve as a strategic hub for advanced manufacturing, logistics, and international trade, forming a key part of the Shanghai Pilot Free-Trade Zone. Its history is modern, created to drive economic growth and technological innovation in the region.

Huangpu

The Huangpu River is a major waterway flowing through Shanghai, China, historically serving as the city’s main commercial artery and dividing it into the districts of Pudong and Puxi. Its banks are famously lined with the colonial-era architecture of The Bund on the west and the futuristic skyscrapers of the Lujiazui financial district on the east, showcasing Shanghai’s dramatic transformation.

Jing’an

Jing’an is a bustling commercial and residential district in central Shanghai, China, best known for the historic Jing’an Temple. The temple, originally built in 247 AD, was relocated to its current site in 1216 during the Song Dynasty and has been rebuilt several times throughout its long history. Today, its magnificent golden halls stand in striking contrast to the surrounding modern skyscrapers, symbolizing the district’s blend of ancient heritage and contemporary urban life.

Putuo

Putuo is a sacred Buddhist mountain island in Zhejiang Province, China, renowned as the bodhimaṇḍa of the bodhisattva Guanyin. Its history as a major pilgrimage site dates back over a thousand years to the Tang Dynasty when the first temple was established. Today, it is famous for its numerous temples, monasteries, and serene natural landscape.

Yangpu

Yangpu is a district in northeastern Shanghai, historically known as an industrial area and the site of China’s first modern waterworks. It is now a major hub for education and innovation, anchored by prestigious Fudan University and Tongji University. The district’s history is reflected in its mix of early 20th-century industrial architecture and modern urban development.

Songjiang

Songjiang is an ancient district in modern-day Shanghai, China, with a history dating back over 2,000 years to the Eastern Han Dynasty. It is renowned for its classical Chinese gardens, such as the Zuibai Pond Garden, and its historic square pagoda, the Songjiang Square Pagoda, built during the Northern Song Dynasty. The area is considered the historical and cultural root of the Shanghai region.