Per the World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO’s) Global Innovation Index (GII) released September 16, 2025, China entered the top 10 in innovation for the first time by ranking 10th globally, positioning China as the only middle-income economy within the top 30. The United States holds firm in third place “leading the world in global corporate R&D investment, unicorn valuation, software spending and intangible asset intensity.” Shenzhen–Hong Kong–Guangzhou ranked as the top innovation hub with Silicon Valley ranked third.
Category: Statistics
China’s National Intellectual Property Administration Releases 2024 Annual Report – U.S. Origin Chinese Invention Patent Applications Down 1.9%
On August 27, 2025, China’s National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) released its 2024 Annual Report (2024 年度报告). The Report summarizes actions taken by CNIPA is 2024 as well as 2024 statistics. For example, CNIPA states that the “Guidelines for Patent Applications Related to Artificial Intelligence” and the “Implementation Plan for a Unified Recognition System for Geographical Indications” were issued. Further, the newly revised “Implementing Regulations of the Patent Law” and the “Patent Examination Guidelines” were thoroughly publicized and implemented.
China’s Supreme People’s Court Releases 2025H1 Data – IP Cases Up 36%
On July 21, 2025, China’s Supreme People’s Court (SPC, geoblocked) released statistic data for the first half of 2025. While litigation overall dropped 8.52% year-on-year, intellectual property cases were up 36.15%. Further, 801 cases of first instance involving new plant varieties were accepted, up 84.14% year-on-year. The SPC stated “The protection of seed industry intellectual property rights is related to national food security and the independent control of seed sources. The people’s courts have continuously increased the judicial protection of …
2024 Annual China Filing Statistics Released: Utility Model Grants Continue to Drop While Utility Model Applications Continue to Increase
According to recently released annual statistical data from China’s National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA), there were 1,828,054 invention patent applications filed in 2024; 3,184,652 utility model applications filed in 2024; and 819,213 industrial design applications filed in 2024. The number of invention patent applications and grants have both climbed annually at a regular pace but grants faced a steep drop in the first half of 2025. Annual utility model applications have grown regularly also, except for a small drop in …