As Emojis catch fire in China, creators seek IP protection

Emojis, the latest form of intellectual property in China, are turning out to be a money-spinner and also an IP worth further protection in China.

Consider Rumi, a panda-like emoji, which has been downloaded on social media more than 340 million times, representing more than a quarter of China's entire population.

Rumi is among millions of emojis that have been created in China, as design companies and groups of artists sprout up across the country like mushrooms. Analysts say the screen symbols have become a burgeoning IP business, albeit one that needs further development and protection to maximize its value.