Innovative high-technology enterprises could garner a share of 32.8 million yuan ($5.2 million) this year from a special Zhuhai fund proposed to help finance the patenting of inventions.
The Zhuhai Intellectual Property Bureau recently proposed categories that could each receive up to 3 million yuan ($474,100) annually for qualified invention patents. A state-level IP public service platform registered in Zhuhai could also be granted a one-time subsidy of 3 million yuan.
"Innovation is the primary driving force to lead development. This power source is intellectual property," stated the Zhuhai Intellectual Property Bureau. Zhuhai, a spokesperson said, will implement the new IP strategy to promote innovation-driven development and create IP heights in the Greater Bay Area of Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao.
According to the proposal, the dedicated funding would be part of the city budget, subject to integrated planning, and disbursed on the district level. It is titled Administrative Regulations on Zhuhai's Patent Promotion Special Funds (draft for soliciting opinions).
WIPO-SIPO ceremony [Photo courtesy cneip.org.cn]
Proposed are IP patent-related grants, awards, loans, or subsidies for: inventions; expenses and interests incurred by IP hypothecated loan; insurance; technology navigation, risk reviews and appraisals; newly established service organizations; and national public service platforms.
Meanwhile, rewards would be granted to city-level IP-heavy enterprises, companies implementing national IP management standards, World Intellectual Property Organization -- State Intellectual Property Office (WIPO-SIPO) awardees for Chinese Outstanding Patented Invention & Industrial Design, and newly established IP service organizations.
Zhuhai was designated a National Pilot City of National Intellectual Property last April. To strengthen the city through IP, city leaders have issued programmatic documents to guide relevant work.
By the end of last year, Zhuhai had recorded 98,600 patent applications, 61,700 authorized patents, and 8,401 valid patents. For every 10,000 people in Zhuhai there has been an average of 50 patents for inventions, ranking second in Guangdong Province.
So far, 50 Zhuhai projects have won WIPO-SIPO awards for Chinese Outstanding Patented Invention & Industrial Design, three of them gold. Fifty-eight have received Guangdong Patent awards, 14 earning gold.
