1 Beijing

Chinese QR codes

China's first proprietary software to make and read QR codes was unveiled last week. Developed by GS1 China, an affiliate of the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, it can generate and read the Han Xin Code, a Chinese-language system that became a national standard in 2007. Short for quick response, most QR codes now seen in China and throughout the world use a system designed by Denso Wave of Japan, a subsidiary of Toyota.

National Business Daily

2 Jilin

Innovation awards

The provincial government began to accept applications last week for the first Jilin patent awards that will be given for technologies and designs that have made great contribution to the province's development and innovation capacity. Twenty other provinces and municipalities have already established patent awards.

jl.gov.cn

3 Tianjin

Heritage database

An intangible cultural heritage database recently went online in the municipality to provide access to more information including statistics and details about projects, cultural inheritors, experts, materials and activities. The Tianjin Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Center started to build the database in 2012.

CHINA CULTURE DAILY

4 Anhui

Patent surge

Organizations and residents applied for more than 81,000 patents in the first 11 months of the year, an increase of 22 percent year-on-year, ranking the province eighth nationwide and at the top in Central China. More than 45,000 patents were granted in the period, including 3,907 invention patents, a surge of 41.6 percent. The increase was the second-highest nationwide.

Anhuinews.com

5 Zhejiang

Pen IP center

A Hangzhou quick response center for intellectual property rights in the pen-making industry was recently approved by the State Intellectual Property Office, the fourth such center nationwide offering patent applicants and owners faster procedures. Centers in Zhongshan, Guangdong province for the lighting industry, in Nantong, Jiangsu province for the textile industry and in Chaoyang district of Beijing for design services are already operating.

Science and Technology Daily

6 Fujian

Support for brands

The provincial government plans to invest 5 million yuan ($823,500) annually over the next five years to support local brands. The funds will be used for trademark-related rewards, case investigations, enforcement campaigns, overseas trademark protection and training programs. According to the plan, the province will have 400,000 valid trademarks by 2018, including 300 with national geographical indication status and at least three with a high international reputation.

MARKET INFORMATION

7 Guangdong

Student volunteers

A volunteer organization for IP protection was recently established at Sun Yat-sen University. Li Qiang, director of the provincial IP center, said the initiative was an important step, but also a long-term task that needs participation from all sectors of the society. The province now has three universities offering IP-related majors.

STATE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE

A local in Shanghai passes an ad with a QR code. Yan Daming / for China Daily

(China Daily 12/25/2013 page17)