In 2024, China’s inventory of valid invention patents surged to nearly 4.76 million, showcasing a notable increase in both the volume and quality of intellectual property (IP) assets, according to the National Intellectual Property Administration. The strategic emerging industries in China reported approximately 1.35 million effective invention patents, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 15.7%.
China continues to be a major player in global patent filings, ranking highly in Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) international applications, Madrid System international trademark applications, and design filings under the Hague System. Moreover, the country has notably improved IP review efficiency through the implementation of artificial intelligence technologies. The average examination period for invention patents has been reduced to 15.5 months, while trademark registrations can now be reviewed in an average of four months, both representing the fastest processing times compared to similar global systems.
In addition, 2024 saw a total of 613,000 patent ownership transfer licenses filed across the nation, marking a significant increase of 29.9% from the previous year.
