Historically, the concept of individual intellectual property wasn't as prominent in China's collectivist-oriented culture as it was in the West. Ideas and creations were often seen as part of a shared cultural heritage. However, this has dramatically changed in the 21st century. With its economic transformation and ambition to become a global technology leader (e.g., the “Made in China 2025” initiative), China has placed enormous emphasis on 专利. The government now heavily incentivizes and promotes patent applications as a measure of national innovative strength and economic competitiveness. The Western concept of a patent is deeply rooted in a long history of protecting individual rights. In modern China, the push for 专利 is often more pragmatic and state-driven, viewed as a critical tool for corporate strategy and national development. It's less about the “lone genius” inventor and more about a company or the nation's portfolio of intellectual property assets. For any business operating in or with China, understanding the seriousness and strategic importance of 专利 is non-negotiable.
专利 (zhuānlì) is a formal and technical term. You'll encounter it most frequently in the following contexts:
The most common mistake for learners is confusing 专利 (zhuānlì) with other forms of intellectual property.