Beijing IP court's move to appoint technicians as investigators pays off

The Beijing Intellectual Property Court appointed 306 technicians as investigators, who have contributed their technical expertise to resolving more than 4,500 cases over the past decade, an official announced at a news conference.

Zhao Ruigang, a standing member of the court's adjudication committee, said on Friday that since the establishment of a technical investigation office in October 2015, these appointed technical investigators have played a significant role in tackling major, complex, and challenging cases.

"Their efforts and expertise have ensured that cases involving national scientific and technological advancements, as well as international competitiveness, were adjudicated fairly and efficiently," he added.

As China's first specialized court in the field of intellectual property, the Beijing IP Court is tasked with handling administrative cases related to patents, trademarks, new plant varieties, and integrated circuit layout designs. It also deals with antitrust administrative disputes involving the State Council, the country's cabinet, and civil lawsuits concerning pharmaceutical patent linkage.

Zhao highlighted data showing that since the court's inception in 2014, it has handled 33,000 technical cases and concluded 31,000 of them. Due to the technical complexity of these disputes, the court began appointing technicians to assist in trials.

To clarify the responsibilities of technicians and standardize their work processes, the court has formulated and issued management rules. Depending on the technical investigation needs of each case, the court has established three levels of participation for these investigators: simple consultation, involvement in litigation, and general consultation.

Additionally, in major, complex cases, as well as those involving interdisciplinary issues, the court requires the participation of two technicians in the technical clarification process.

"This approach aims to enhance the quality and efficiency of case handling while ensuring the optimal use of talent resources," Zhao said.

Thanks to the involvement of these investigators, the number of technical cases concluded by the court rose to 4,524 in 2024 from 1,430 in 2016, and the trial duration has been reduced by nearly a quarter, according to Zhao.

"These figures demonstrate that technical investigators provide robust judicial support for innovative activities," he added.

Zhao revealed that the court will focus more on handling cases related to integrated circuits and artificial intelligence, leveraging the professional expertise of technical investigators in disputes involving patents and computer software copyrights.

He also pledged to promote a sound business environment governed by the rule of law, adding that the court will strengthen team development and talent cultivation for technology-related cases.