Intellectual Property Rights Protection

This chapter provides background on China’s intellectual property rights (IPR) system. It explains the surge in patenting activity in China over the past two decades. Given the central role played by universities and public research organizations, the chapter details the legislative progress made in management of intellectual property with respect to technology transferred from these two key actors in China’s innovation system. The chapter also outlines the challenges that still remain with regard to management of intellectual property and patent licensing on the part of Chinese universities and public research organizations. Finally, the chapter documents the most recent legislative changes in China’s IPR system in order to strengthen it further.