Editing by David Du

1. Chinese smartphone maker vivo joins domestic patent race 

The Chinese smartphone brand, vivo, has recently bought several wireless communications patents from Ericsson, according to a report by the China Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA).  

The report shows that the company remained inactive until last year when it bought some old telecom-related patents from Nokia in February 2020. 

April was noticeably busy for vivo’s patent transactions. Compared to the patents it obtained from Nokia, the Ericsson patents are relatively new. Most were filed between 2011 and 2015 and will be valid for up to 10 years or more under Chinese patent law.

vivo’s efforts to improve its patent strength come as Chinese smart device vendors have accelerated the country’s “patent arms race.” Early last month, Huawei announced its plan to charge fees for its 5G technology. At the moment, its potential licensees include Samsung and Apple. OPPO, another leading Chinese smartphone maker, reportedly obtained 47 U.S. patent families from ZTE this February and March. 

Other popular Chinese phone brands including Xiaomi also took action in light of the current patent competition. Experts say this may be fueled by China’s continuous efforts to crack down on IP infringement.

2. BYD discloses patent relating to the EV power saving 

According to the patent gazette of the China Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA), BYD, a Chinese electric car maker, published on May 25, 2021, an invention patent application relating to the electric car power recovery technology. 

The application made in November 2019 describes a method to learn the driver’s driving style and accordingly adjust the feedback of the accelerator in real time. This method is to reduce the frequency of brake use, thereby saving energy and extending the mile range of one charge.  

Statistics show that BYD published 169 patent application documents this May alone. The company has 35,776 R&D staff by the end of 2020, accounting for 15.95% of its total headcount. Its R&D spending amounted to RMB 8.556 billion ($1.34 billion) in 2020, which was 5.46% of its last year’s revenues.

BYD said that it will continue to increase its R&D spending and diversify its product line. It will also collaborate with other vehicle manufacturers to make cars smarter and transform the automotive industry. 

According to the Chinese patent law, an invention patent application will be published for public review before it can be granted a patent. The process of granting a patent may take three to five years, depending on its substantive examination. 

3. China reports most 6G patent applications

Recently, the China Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) released a “6G Telecommunications Patent Development Report", declaring the country’s leading position in 6G development.

The report shows that among the 38,000 6G-related telecoms patents filed worldwide, about one-third (35%) come from China. It gives the country a leading role in exploring next-generation technology. Of all 6G patents China holds, 80% are Chinese applications.

JW Insights reports that at a recent State Council Information Office press conference, Shen Changyu, CNIPA Commissioner, delivered remarks on China’s intellectual property development in 2020. The remarks pointed to 530,000 granted patents, representing 15.8 invention patents per 10,000 population. The sum of patent and trademark mortgage loans in China reached RMB 218 billion ($34.25 billion) in 2020, representing a 43.95% year-on-year growth.