The Hubei Provincial Intellectual Property Protection Center has officially commenced operations after receiving approval from the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA). The national regulator confirmed the center meets all requirements for institutional capacity and operational systems.
Supported by provincial authorities, Hubei initiated the center's establishment in 2021 to serve its bio-technology and new materials industries. The center provides integrated services including accelerated patent examination, rapid rights confirmation, and efficient dispute resolution. Following rigorous preparation, the center passed CNIPA's on-site evaluation in December 2024 and launched preliminary examination services on January 25, 2025.
Operational Impact
Since its launch, the center has:
Registered over 1,600 market entities
Processed 625 preliminary examination cases
Significantly reduced patent grant timelines (notably granting a Huazhong University of Science and Technology patent in 31 working days - a provincial record)
The center has pioneered China's first integrated rapid IP protection platform, offering standardized services including accelerated examination, overseas dispute guidance, and patent evaluation. These resources specifically support innovation leaders in Hubei's strategic sectors: optoelectronics, advanced equipment manufacturing, biotechnology, new materials, and new energy. For example, patent filings for VOYAH (a Dongfeng Motor premium EV brand) now outpace most domestic competitors.
Cross-agency cooperation with judicial authorities has strengthened comprehensive IP protection. The center has facilitated:
15,000 patent fee reductions (saving ¥77 million)
3,024 priority examinations
Patent pledge financing exceeding ¥5.4 billion
Future Focus
Building on this foundation, Hubei will:
Expand the integrated rapid protection platform
Coordinate development of four national-level IP centers in the Wuhan-Xiangyang-Yichang "Golden Triangle" region
Enhance high-value patent creation and utilization in core industries
Target services for 16,000 enterprises by 2025
These initiatives aim to accelerate IP commercialization, strengthen protection mechanisms, and boost global competitiveness - ultimately optimizing Hubei's innovation ecosystem as it evolves into a central China economic hub.
Information source: Hubei Intellectual Property Bureau
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