On January 15, 2025, China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) reported that the industrialization rate of invention patents among Chinese enterprises has been steadily increasing, with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) playing an increasingly significant role.

In 2024, the industrialization rate for valid invention patents reached 53.3%, a 2% increase from the previous year. Notably, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) outpaced the overall average, achieving record highs of 61.4% and 57.8%, respectively, since 2021.

Micro-enterprises also showed progress, with their industrialization rate reaching 36.7%, a new record over the past four years.

The high-tech industry has been a key driver of this growth. In 2024, national high-tech enterprises had an industrialization rate of 61.2%, an increase of 3.6 percentage points from the previous year, surpassing the general enterprise level by 7.9 percentage points.

In addition, there is a notable shift towards green technology. According to CNIPA, nearly half of Chinese enterprises with patents are already exploring or planning innovations in environmentally friendly technologies.

By the end of 2024, Chinese domestic enterprises held more than 3.5 million valid invention patents, representing 73.7% of the nation's total, marking a 2.6% increase from the previous year.

Liliana ZHANG

Trademark and Patent Attorney

[email protected]

+86 10 8446 4788