China-approved patents jump 26.1 percent in 2012

The number of patents approved by China in 2012 jumped 26.1 percent from the year before as the country steps up its efforts to improve its laws and regulations regarding intellectual property (IP) rights.

China Daily reported last Saturday that intellectual properties granted and registered by the State Intellectual Property Office (SIPO) have been growing at a fast pace.

Tian Lipu, commissioner of SIPU, said in the report: "Since the implementation of a national IP rights strategy in 2008, the country's market players have become more capable of IP creation, utilization, protection and management."

These efforts resulted in 217,000 patents approved by SIPO in 2012, which was a 26.1 percent improvement from the year before, the report added.

On the whole, Tian believes the improving IP regime in the country is helping enhance core competitiveness domestically and transforming the country's economic growth model.

Patent approval is not the only sign of China's efforts to strengthen its IP environment. Earlier this month, a judicial interpretation was released allowing China's Supreme People's Court to designate the hearing of civil patent lawsuits to grassroot courts. Such rulings were previously restricted to only the intermediate and higher people's courts.