Beginning in November 2004, the Hubei IPR administration implemented a program to intensify intellectual property management and protection in business and government institutions. The purpose of this project was to provide essential guidance for 50 businesses and government institutions in the province in their bid to set up their own IPR management systems.

Today, many operations in the province have an exemplary IPR function, notably a number of State-owned enterprises, including the Wuhan Iron and Steel (Group) Corporation, the Dongfeng Motor Corporation, Kingdream Public Limited Company and FiberHome Technologies. A number of privately owned businesses have also distinguished themselves in this area, especially the Hubei Dinglong Chemical Co, the Chutian Laser Group and Jin Brand Co Ltd.

Wang Dongfeng, deputy director-general of the Science and Technology Department of Hubei province and director-general of Hubei Province Intellectual Property Right Administration, said businesses in the province, whether State-owned or privately owned, have now implemented the patent application process in a strategic bid to gain advantages over international and domestic market competitors.

These organizations have carried out their IPR work by taking a strategic overview. Through the flexible application of IPR strategy, Wang said, these companies have successfully sought out competitive advantages in the international and domestic markets.

Wang said: "Over the past 30 years, the drive to secure intellectual property rights in Hubei has undergone a huge change, in line with that of the rest of the nation. Since China’s opening up to the outside world and implementation of Patent Law 30 years ago, work in this sector, with patents as its core element, has made considerable progress throughout the region.

"Hubei has gradually established and improved its intellectual property rights system, as well as refining its IPR regulation and policy system. It has also improved its effectiveness in terms of IPR protection. IPR work among the province’s businesses is now quite intensive, resulting in an increased number of high quality patent applications."

According to Wang, in 2007, the province made 17,376 patent applications, representing a 32-fold increase on the 544 applications made in 1986. In 2008, the number of applications in Hubei was in excess of 20,000 for the first time. The final figure - 21,147 - saw it rank as eighth overall among the municipalities, provinces and autonomous regions in China. It also represented an increase of 21.7 percent compared to 2007.

Between April 1985 and the end of October 2009, Hubei applied for a combined total of 135,388 patents, ranking it first in central China.

A number of its innovations with core independent IPR have now achieved distinct economic and social recognition.
                                                                                                  Source: China Daily