China's courts saw record number of IP cases in 2016

Chinese courts handled a record 152,072 cases related to intellectual property disputes last year.

The number — which includes civil, criminal and administrative cases — represented a 16 percent year-on-year increase, according to data from the Supreme People's Court.

Civil disputes saw the biggest increase, up by 24 percent year-on-year overall, with some 86,989 disputes related to copyright infringement, up by 30 percent.

Beijing, Shanghai and the provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Guangdong accounted for 70 percent of all IP cases handled by courts last year, while the number filed in Fujian and Shandong provinces increased.

"IP cases occur more in places with rapid economic growth," Song Xiaoming, chief judge of the SPC's intellectual property tribunal, said in Beijing today. "Judges are facing more challenges in hearing IP cases due to rapid technological advancements."

Courts have acted to protect IP rights holders and reduce the losses caused by infringements, he said.

In addition, Song said, the SPC has told courts at all levels to be transparent in hearing IP cases and to help people better understand the law.