The China (Nantong) Intellectual Property Protection Center. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

Nantong in Jiangsu province has recently been designated as a national intellectual property rights development demonstration city by the China National Intellectual Property Administration.

The city has in recent years ramped up efforts to promote IPR creation, application, protection, management, and services.

As of the end of 2023, Nantong has seen 45,000 valid invention patents, with a rate of 58 such patents for every 10,000 residents in the city. More than 220,000 trademarks were registered and 46 products produced locally in the city had been awarded national geographical indication certifications by the end of last year.

A bird's-eye view of Nantong. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

Nantong has also rolled out measures to foster high-value patents and efficiently settle IPR disputes. The city has established the China (Nantong) Intellectual Property Protection Center and national centers for rapid IPR protection for special industries such as home textiles and furniture.

The city has also reduced the application period for an invention patent from 22 months to three to six months. Its IPR pledge financing amount was doubled for the third consecutive year, exceeding a record 8 billion yuan ($1.12 billion) in 2023.

The local administration for market regulation in Nantong stated that it will continue to support scientific innovation, ensuring a more favorable environment for IPR creation, stricter measures for IPR protection, and the more efficient application of IPR.