In a groundbreaking judicial innovation, the Beijing Intellectual Property Court has demonstrated remarkable success with its decade-long program incorporating technical specialists as case investigators. The court’s appointment of 306 technically-qualified investigators has fundamentally transformed how complex technology disputes are adjudicated.
Since establishing its specialized Technical Investigation Office in October 2015, these expert appointments have contributed technical expertise to resolving over 4,500 complex cases. Zhao Ruigang, a standing member of the court’s adjudication committee, revealed that these technical professionals have been instrumental in handling major, complex cases involving cutting-edge technologies.
‘The integration of technical expertise has ensured that cases involving national scientific advancements and matters of international competitiveness receive both fair and efficient adjudication,’ Zhao stated during a recent press conference.
As China’s pioneering specialized IP court, the Beijing institution handles administrative cases spanning patents, trademarks, new plant varieties, and integrated circuit layout designs. The court also adjudicates antitrust administrative disputes involving the State Council and civil litigation concerning pharmaceutical patent linkages.
The court has developed a structured three-tier participation system for technical investigators: simple consultation, involvement in litigation proceedings, and general consultation. For particularly complex cases involving interdisciplinary technical challenges, the court mandates the participation of at least two technical experts in the clarification process.
The results have been quantitatively impressive: technical case resolutions surged from 1,430 in 2016 to 4,524 in 2024, while average trial duration decreased by approximately 25%. This enhanced efficiency provides robust judicial support for technological innovation activities nationwide.
Looking forward, the court will prioritize cases involving integrated circuits and artificial intelligence, leveraging technical investigators’ expertise in patent and computer software copyright disputes. The institution has also committed to strengthening team development and talent cultivation for technology-related cases, further promoting a rule-of-law business environment conducive to technological innovation.