WIPO China: Intellectual Property Driving New Quality Productive Forces and Ecosystem Development

Nanjing, June 15 - The Fifth China Forum on Intellectual Property Policy and Management opened at Nanjing University of Science and Technology. The forum, co-hosted by the Chinese Association of Science of Science and S&T Policy Research, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, was themed “Intellectual Property Promotes the Development of New Quality Productive Forces”. Ms. Liu Hua, Director of the World Intellectual Property Organization Office in China, delivered a video address.

Ms. Liu Hua noted that the world is undergoing unprecedented changes, with the “Digital Age” and “Deep Science” innovation waves profoundly transforming the way we work, live and play. She discussed current global IP development trends and challenges, emphasized the shift of global innovation hubs towards Asia, particularly in terms of IP application volumes, with Asia's share significantly increasing. She mentioned that cooperation among top science and technology clusters is strengthening and that enterprises are playing an increasingly prominent role in driving innovation.

Ms. Liu Hua emphasized that, in this context, it is crucial to focus on the challenges that innovation poses to the IP ecosystem. These challenges include the increased sophistication and concealment of IP infringements due to technological innovation, as well as potential new developments in the patentability and copyrightability of AI-generated content. WIPO has organized nine sessions of the WIPO Conversation on IP and Frontier Technologies, focusing on AI, big data, and the metaverse. The latest session focused on "Training the Machines -Bytes, Rights and Copyright Conundrum". Participants believed that beyond government regulatory frameworks, autonomous practices by industry entities such as tech companies and creators can provide public wisdom and social impetus for data governance. Policy responses should be inclusive and diverse, not only focusing on the interests of major countries and tech giants but also ensuring that technological progress benefits everyone.

Ms. Liu Hua emphasized the crucial role of the WIPO GREEN sustainable technology exchange platform in promoting the exchange and implementation of green technologies. She mentioned that China's share of green technologies in the WIPO GREEN database has reached 7%, and the platform has promoted the implementation of green technologies through the City Acceleration Projects. In addition to Beijing, the project has welcomed two new cities, Shanghai and Chongqing. Globally influential tech companies such as Huawei, CATL, Xiaomi, and GCL Group have also joined the WIPO GREEN partnership network.

Furthermore, Ms. Liu Hua introduced WIPO’s efforts to enhance the efficiency of the IP registration system using AI, improving registration efficiency in the PCT, Madrid, and Hague systems. She highlighted WIPO's efforts in cultivating IP talent. In 2024, the WIPO-China Summer School will expand its partnerships to six universities: Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, East China University of Political Science and Law, Renmin University of China, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Sichuan University, and South China University of Technology. WIPO also offers the WIPO executive training program, distance learning courses, and joint master’s programs in IP law, providing support for Chinese IP talent to leverage intellectual property in addressing future challenges.

Mr. Zhang Jun, Party Secretary of NJUST, stated in his address that the university, as an important base for national IP education, has long been committed to the cultivation and research of IP talent, making positive contributions to the development of the IP field. He emphasized the central role of IP in encouraging innovation and shaping competitiveness, and he looked forward to further promoting the construction and development of the IP discipline through this forum.

Mr. Mu Rongping, President of the Chinese Association of Science of Science and S&T Policy Research, emphasized that innovation is the primary driving force for development and that protecting intellectual property is tantamount to protecting innovation. He expressed his hope that the experts and scholars in attendance would engage in in-depth exchanges and thorough communication regarding the concepts and research findings related to intellectual property and the development of new quality productive forces.

The two-day forum featured a series of sessions including opening remarks, keynote speeches, roundtable discussion, and breakout forums. Experts and scholars engaged in in-depth discussions on themes such as intellectual property promotes the development of new quality productive forces, protecting intellectual property rights in data, and the foundational systems and legal protection of intellectual property.