China to Refine IP Rules for Data, Artificial Intelligence, and Big Data

China's National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) announced plans during a State Council Information Office press conference to establish legal frameworks for data intellectual property (IP) and refine IP protection rules for artificial intelligence and big data during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026–2030). Officials reported that in the first half of 2026, China granted 453,000 invention patents, bringing high-value invention patents to 2.36 million by the end of June. The government aims to optimize evaluation metrics to support high-quality economic development.

Defining explicit IP rules for data, AI, and emerging technologies provides essential legal certainty for enterprise research and development investments and digital asset circulation, directly underpinning the growth of strategic emerging industries.

On July 29, 2026, the State Council Information Office hosted a press briefing introducing China's intellectual property (IP) protection and utilization goals for the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026–2030). Officials from the National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) highlighted plans to explore data IP protection rules and refine regulatory standards across emerging sectors, including artificial intelligence and big data. According to CNIPA Deputy Director Rui Wenbiao and Strategic Planning Director Liang Xinxin, the State Council recently approved the IP Protection and Utilization 15th Five-Year Plan. A major priority involves establishing legal frameworks that treat data assets as intellectual property, aiming to safeguard digital development while encouraging data factor circulation. The administration also plans to optimize key evaluation metrics, such as high-value invention patents per 10,000 population, aligning policy incentives with high-quality innovation rather than pure patent volume. Official data released at the press conference indicates steady growth in China's IP sector. During the first half of 2026, China granted 453,000 invention patents, registered 2.055 million trademarks, and approved 64 geographical indication products. By the end of June 2026, the total number of high-value invention patents reached 2.36 million. In addition, valid invention patents within strategic emerging industries reached 1.746 million, representing a 4.3% increase from the end of the previous year. To facilitate the commercialization of technology, CNIPA stated that it will continue reforming IP examination models to improve efficiency and quality. The agency intends to deepen the conversion of academic research into industrial supply chains, strengthen public IP services, and cultivate internationally competitive domestic brands. While operational details regarding data ownership definitions and specific AI examination standards are still being finalized, official statements signal a structured legal roadmap aimed at minimizing uncertainty for domestic and international enterprises in China's technology sector.