Shanghai completed key intellectual property initiatives in 2025, propelling its ambition to become an international IP protection hub.

The city inventoried 76,300 patents across institutions of higher learning, research institutes, and medical institutions. Over 11,900 patent commercialization reports were submitted, with invention patent industrialization of institutions of higher education and research institutes reaching 10.53 percent, reflecting faster IP utilization.

Data-product IP registration pilots saw 1,280 applications and the issuance of 836 certificates. Registered products generated nearly 20 billion yuan ($2.89 billion) in economic value.

Shanghai launched China's first company-operated IP service trust product and the Yangtze River Delta's first AI IP securitization product.

Courts based in the city handled 46,000 IP cases, and settled 47,000, with punitive damages exceeding 170 million yuan. Prosecutors reviewed 302 criminal IP cases, approved 273 arrests, and filed 649 prosecutions. The police solved over 550 criminal cases, and arrested more than 2,100 suspects, which involved 1.3 billion yuan.

Market supervision, IP, and cultural and tourism law enforcement authorities investigated 3,800 cases, while the Customs seized nearly 4,900 consignments of infringing goods. IP dispute mediation bodies handled 19,000 disputes, and resolved nearly 10,000 cases.

Shanghai strengthened its IP service offerings, joining the roster of national pilot cities focused on fostering a business-friendly IP environment. The city supported patent agencies, advanced reforms of industry associations, and launched trademarks agent credit pilots backed by coordinated supervision platforms.

Major events included the 22nd Shanghai International Intellectual Property Forum highlighting IP and AI, the fifth Shanghai IP Innovation Awards, which honored nine entities and 45 patents. Moreover, the Nanhui peaches were certified as a national geographical-indication protection demonstration.

Source: Shanghai Intellectual Property Administration