Intellectual property development in Yangquan is improved in terms of both quantity and quality in 2021. [Photo/Yangquan Evening News]

Intellectual property (IP) development in Yangquan in North China's Shanxi province was improved in terms of both quantity and quality in 2021, according to Yangquan's market regulation bureau.

The number of patents granted in the city was 1,165 last year, a year-on-year increase of 75.19 percent. Among them, 38 invention patents were granted, a year-on-year increase of 8.57 percent. The Shanxi Market Regulation Administration (Intellectual Property Office) recommended that one of the patents be submitted for the China Patent Award.

Over the past year, Yangquan's market regulation bureau has strengthened IP protection and promoted the transformation and application of IP. 

The bureau has also encouraged enterprises and individuals to apply for, protect and use patents by making the system more logical, strengthening policy formulation and implementation, and subsidizing patent projects. 

In addition, the bureau has further improved its IP expert database and provided enterprises with on-site services to solve problems related to IP declaration and application. 

In addition, the bureau has investigated and handled 78 IP cases in the past year, safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of relevant IP holders.