In 2012, Chinese courts accepted 87,419 first-instance civil intellectual property cases, up 45.99% from the previous year, and concluded 83,850, up 44.07%. This was the largest annual increase since China joined the WTO.

Cases by type

Patent disputes: 9,680, up 23.80%. This category includes invention patents, utility models and designs.

Trademark disputes: 19,815, up 52.53%.

Copyright disputes: 53,848, up 53.04%.

Technology contract disputes: 746, up 33.93%.

Unfair competition disputes: 1,123, down 1.23%.

Other intellectual property disputes: 2,207, up 0.64%.

Adjudication quality and efficiency

The first-instance case clearance rate increased from 81.73% in 2008 to 87.61% in 2012. The appeal rate fell from 49.32% to 39.53%, and the retrial rate declined from 0.44% to 0.20% over the same period.

First-instance civil IP cases accepted, 2008–2012: approximately 24,400; 30,600; 42,900; 59,600; and 87,400. The source chart’s two early-year series have been assigned to the correct labels.
First-instance civil IP cases accepted, 2008–2012: approximately 24,400; 30,600; 42,900; 59,600; and 87,400. The source chart’s two early-year series have been assigned to the correct labels.
First-instance civil IP cases concluded, 2008–2012: approximately 23,500; 30,500; 41,700; 58,200; and 83,900. Figures retain the original chart’s rounding.
First-instance civil IP cases concluded, 2008–2012: approximately 23,500; 30,500; 41,700; 58,200; and 83,900. Figures retain the original chart’s rounding.