From January to April this year, Liuzhou city received 401 patent applications, an increase of 76.65 percent from the same period last year. The city approved 291 patents, a year-on-year increase of 8.58 percent.
In recent years, Liuzhou has supported intellectual property rights by strengthening political guidance and measures. It has improved the level of producing and using corporate intellectual property, optimized the environment of intellectual property right (IPR) protection, protected corporate intellectual property and enhanced the core competence of enterprises operating in Liuzhou.
Through encouraging, supportive policy measures and promoting innovation, Liuzhou has emerged as a science and technology hub. The city has encouraged all enterprises to focus on technological innovation and intellectual property protection. In 2003, Liugong Machinery Co Ltd became the pilot company in the region to have its products patented. Since then, intellectual property has been an important part of the company’s long-term development strategy. The patent system has played a significant role in safeguarding the company’s development, expanding marketplace and maintaining its technological leadership. The company has been approved with 136 patents, including 3 invention, 87 utility model and 46 design patents. Patent technology has helped expand its marketplace for products of various kinds. Last year its annual sales totaled 15.4 billion yuan. Meanwhile, in the first quarter of this year, sales were almost doubled.
Intellectual property issues relate to economic, scientific and technological security and development at national, regional as well as corporate level. Therefore Liuzhou city developed the "special action plan on patent law enforcement” last year. From October 2010 to June 2011, relevant city authorities organized and conducted intensive campaigns. It investigated and regulated distribution centers of various commodities including high-tech industrial products, foods, and medicines just to name a few. It intensified its efforts and improved efficiency of law enforcement in resolving corporate intellectual property disputes. In the past two years, no grave violations of intellectual property rights were reported in the city.
The city has in recent years encouraged the use of its intellectual property system to bring about overall development of enterprises in the region. It hopes to guide them in expanding their businesses. The Municipal Government has supported the enterprises to the best of its ability with funds and policy guidance. The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) of Guangxi autonomous region recently rewarded 18 advanced enterprises with outstanding performance in the year of 2010. SAIC-GM-Wuling had 101 products patented while Liugong Machinery had 91. These two companies rank among the top three in the region in terms of patent applications. Liuzhou city was ranked the third in the entire region for having 929 products patented.
(Source:China Daily)
