On the afternoon of April 21, a press conference was held. The director of the Municipal Intellectual Property Office introduced the city’s progress in building a strong intellectual property city and accelerating the development of new productive forces. Other officials, including the deputy director of the Municipal Science and Technology Commission, the deputy president of the Municipal Higher People’s Court, and the deputy district head of Pudong New Area, also attended the press conference and answered questions.

Shanghai has deeply implemented the spirit of important speeches made during inspections of Shanghai and key instructions on intellectual property work. It has actively integrated into the national strategy for building a strong intellectual property country and Shanghai’s development of five centers. By continuously deepening reforms and innovations, improving governance efficiency, and persistently building a high-standard intellectual property city, it has effectively turned the blueprint for constructing an international intellectual property protection highland into reality.

Shanghai has advanced reforms in the intellectual property field, establishing an efficient comprehensive intellectual property management system nationwide. It has issued a plan for building a strong intellectual property city, enacted local regulations such as the Shanghai Intellectual Property Protection Regulations and regulations for establishing a high-level intellectual property protection system in Pudong New Area. It has also achieved full coverage of intellectual property case jurisdiction in grassroots courts, set up the first intellectual property prosecution offices nationwide, and significantly improved the city’s overall intellectual property strength.

Since 2020, the number of high-value invention patents per 10,000 people in Shanghai has grown from 29.6 to 65. PCT international patent applications increased from 3,558 to 7,446. The number of valid registered trademarks rose from 1.7374 million to 2.93 million. Annual copyright registrations increased from 318,900 to 460,000. Shanghai has won 15 China Patent Gold Awards, 5 China Copyright Gold Awards, and 2 small and medium-sized enterprises have received WIPO global awards. The number of patent licensing and transfer transactions increased from 32,000 to 65,000. The annual registered value of patent and trademark pledge financing rose from 3.84 billion yuan to 40.2 billion yuan. The total number of intellectual property talents reached 60,000. Shanghai’s intellectual property work has received State Council supervision incentives for two consecutive years and has been rated excellent in national intellectual property protection assessments for five consecutive years. In the World Intellectual Property Organization’s Global Innovation Index, the Shanghai-Suzhou cluster ranks among the top in the global top 100 innovation clusters.

Shanghai focuses on the strategic task of building an international science and technology innovation center, fully supporting the cultivation and development of new productive forces, and strives to improve five systems:

First, a system supporting comprehensive innovation. Intellectual property content has been incorporated into local regulations such as the decision on promoting collaborative innovation in the Yangtze River Delta, regulations on promoting the development of the artificial intelligence industry in Shanghai, and regulations for the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone. Policies have been introduced to optimize the intellectual property business environment, strengthen trade secret protection, and promote the transformation of scientific and technological achievements in universities, research institutes, and medical institutions.

Second, a support system for high-level innovation sources. Approval has been granted to add artificial intelligence patent pre-examination service industries to the municipal intellectual property protection center. Focusing on serving technological innovation and industrial innovation, the construction of specialized intellectual property protection committees for three leading industries has been deepened. Two intellectual property public service support projects and 20 high-value patent upgrade cultivation projects have been implemented. The pilot program for registering data product intellectual property has been deepened, with 1,280 applications accepted and 836 certificates issued. The registered products have created an economic value of nearly 20 billion yuan.

Third, a utilization system for high-value intellectual property. The three-year special action for patent transformation and utilization has been fully implemented, with a total of 76,300 existing patents reviewed. The annual number of patent licensing and transfer transactions increased by 41.17% year-on-year, with 2,166 patent open licenses achieved. Four units were selected as the first batch of national-level industrial intellectual property operation centers. A pilot program for the intellectual property financial ecosystem has been launched, and the first company-operated intellectual property service trust product in the country has been implemented. The fifth Shanghai Intellectual Property Innovation Award was held, with 9 units and 45 projects receiving honors.

Fourth, a protection system for high-quality innovation development. The construction of the administrative adjudication system for patent infringement disputes at the city and district levels has been deepened, with a directory of technical investigators and a directory of appraisal institutions established. Guidance has been provided for 379 overseas intellectual property dispute cases, and three new overseas intellectual property service stations have been set up. City courts accepted

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Pudong New Area

Pudong New Area is a major financial and economic hub in Shanghai, China, located on the eastern side of the Huangpu River. Originally a rural and agricultural region, it was designated as a special economic development zone in 1990 and rapidly transformed into a global center for finance, trade, and technology, featuring iconic landmarks like the Oriental Pearl Tower and the Shanghai Tower. Its development symbolizes China’s economic reform and modernization efforts since the late 20th century.

Shanghai

Shanghai, a major global financial hub on China’s eastern coast, grew from a small fishing village into a key trading port after the 1842 Treaty of Nanking, which opened it to foreign influence. Its history is marked by a unique blend of Eastern and Western cultures, seen in landmarks like the colonial-era Bund and the futuristic Pudong skyline. Today, Shanghai is celebrated for its dynamic economy, rich culinary scene, and vibrant arts and fashion culture.

Yangtze River Delta

The Yangtze River Delta is a major economic and cultural region in eastern China, centered around Shanghai and the cities of Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces. Historically, it has been a hub of trade, agriculture, and innovation for over a millennium, flourishing during the Song and Ming dynasties due to its extensive canal and river networks. Today, it remains one of the most dynamic and densely populated areas in the world, driving China’s modern economy.

China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone

The China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone, established in September 2013, was the first of its kind in mainland China, designed to test economic reforms and liberalize trade and investment. Located in the Pudong New Area, it introduced policies like negative list management, financial openness, and streamlined customs procedures to attract foreign businesses. Its success has since led to the creation of similar free trade zones across the country, serving as a model for China’s broader economic transformation.

Shanghai-Suzhou cluster

The Shanghai-Suzhou cluster is a major urban and economic region in eastern China, centered on the cities of Shanghai and Suzhou. Historically, Suzhou was a cultural and commercial hub known for its canals and silk production since the Ming and Qing dynasties, while Shanghai grew from a small fishing village into a global financial powerhouse after the 19th century. Today, the cluster forms one of the world’s largest metropolitan areas, driving innovation, trade, and manufacturing in the Yangtze River Delta.

World Intellectual Property Organization

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations based in Geneva, Switzerland, established in 1967 to promote and protect intellectual property (IP) worldwide. Its origins trace back to the 1883 Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property and the 1886 Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works, which were administered by separate bureaus that later merged to form WIPO. Today, WIPO provides a global forum for IP policy, services, and cooperation, helping innovators and creators protect their rights across borders.

State Council

The State Council is the chief administrative authority of the People’s Republic of China, functioning as the national cabinet. It was officially established in 1954 under the first Constitution of the PRC, replacing the earlier Government Administration Council. The State Council oversees all government ministries, commissions, and local governments, implementing laws and policies set by the National People’s Congress.

Global Innovation Index

The Global Innovation Index (GII) is not a physical place or cultural site, but an annual ranking published by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) since 2007. It evaluates and compares the innovation performance of countries worldwide based on factors like research, technology, and institutions. The GII helps governments and businesses understand global innovation trends and identify areas for improvement.