IP scene

Liaoning

Fund to boost profits

The government-run Shenyang Patented Technology Fund finances development or securing of patents with huge market potential. Each patent can receive a subsidy of up to 2 million yuan ($320,185), local government officials said. The fund, which was set up by the Shenyang intellectual property office and finance bureau, aims to help institutes and companies profit from their patents. Local officials said although there were many invention patents in Shenyang, profit made by the patents were less than many other cities in China.

Shenyang Daily

Beijing

Cultural museum to open

An intangible cultural heritage museum in Dongcheng district will open after Spring Festival. The 880-square-meter museum will display 136 items including an embroidered version of Along the River During the Qingming Festival, one of the most noted Chinese paintings. "We are buying and borrowing more items and the museum will have the richest exhibits among such museums in Beijing," an official at Dongcheng Culture Commission said.

Beijing Daily

Patent granted

New energy developer Sanzen Energy was granted an international patent through the Patent Cooperation Treaty for its geothermal heat pump control system. In June 2014, the company's integrated geothermal heat pump controller was included on a government list of technologies and products to control the city's air pollution.

China Daily

Henan

Non-polluting firecracker

Wang Xinming, an oil company worker, invented an air firecracker that makes sounds using compressed air. The 29-year-old said his invention would allow people to continue the traditional custom of setting off firecrackers during festivals without worrying about air pollution. Wang said additional effects could be added to the air firecracker, such as spraying mist and diffusing a fragrant odor. The innovation was granted a patent but has yet to be commercialized.

Xinhuanet.com

Sichuan

Pilot cities lead loans

Data from provincial IP officials showed that local companies secured patent-collateralized loans worth more than 1.75 billion yuan ($280 million) in 2014. This marked an annual increase of 67.72 percent. The lending involved a total of 395 patents. Currently, Chengdu and Mianyang lead the province as pilot cities for IP-collateralized financing. Another nine cities play an active role in promoting the financial services. The provincial IP officials said they would leverage the experience in the pilot cities across the province in the future.

Cneip.org.cn

Shaanxi

Colorful wheat and potatoes

The Northwest A&F University grew colorful wheat and potatoes. The new varieties used proprietary technologies and took years of effort. They can be made into bread, noodles and other food with natural colors. The wheat and potatoes have higher nutritional values, with five to 10 times more antioxidants than common varieties. They can be grown with a 30 percent higher yield.

People's Daily

Guangdong

Prosecutors call for IP bureau

Guangzhou prosecutors applied to set up an IP bureau, which is pending approval, Chen Simin, deputy chief prosecutor of Guangzhou prosecution services, said last week. Currently, prosecutors in various districts supervise civil and commercial IP cases in the city while criminal ones are supervised by those in Luogang district. Chen said it was necessary to supervise IP cases together for better efficiency and fairness.

Guangzhou Daily

Hong Kong

Mexico agreement signed

Hong Kong's Intellectual Property Department signed an agreement with Mexico's industrial property bureau last week to provide a framework for cooperation in related trade, operation modes, staff training and information exchanges. Hong Kong and Mexico share IP protection, promotion and commercialization values, said Yung Wai-hung, the permanent secretary for Hong Kong's Commerce and Economic Development Bureau. He added that the legal agreement was expected to lay a solid foundation for both sides to build IP contact across the Pacific.

Xinhuanet

(China Daily 02/11/2015 page17)