26 ASIAN LEGAL BUSINESS CHINA • 亚洲法律杂志-中国版 NOVEMBER 2023 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY As hubs for Chinese tech startups, Shenzhen and Guangzhou are experiencing an increase in demand for intellectual property (IP) services. In addition, as Chinese companies expand in the global market, lawyers expect to see more foreign-related cases. Law firms need to build on their strengths to capitalize on this opportunity. BY ASIAN LEGAL BUSINESS 作为中国科技初创公司的聚集地，深圳和广州两个城市对于知识产权服务的需求持续增加。同时， 随着中国公司加速出海，律师预计，未来将会出现更多新的涉外知识产权业务。律所需要建立自身 优势，积极抓住这一机遇。作者：《亚洲法律杂志》 RIDING THE TECH WAVE 广深乘知创识新产之权风服务： As a key driver for the national economic growth and technology innovation, the Southern cities of Shenzhen and Guangzhou nurture companies in different fields, including artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, biotech, robotics and smart mobility, which drives the development of IP services. Wanhuida Intellectual Property’s partner Jason Yao tells ALB that the overall demand for IP services in Guangzhou and Shenzhen is growing, but different industries perform differently. “The demand for IP services in the cross-border e-commerce, new energy and consumer electronics industry keeps growing. However, the demand is shrinking in some traditional industries due to factors such as insufficient demand in the overall market, crackdowns by the authorities on trademark hoarding and abnormal patent filings, as well as geopolitical conflicts and trade friction between China and the U.S.,” says Yao. Yao believes that IP markets in Guangzhou and Shenzhen have their unique characteristics. As a special administrative region, Shenzhen is more active in attempting innovation. The city has always been the first place to explore new things regarding IP protection systems and norms. For example, the Shenzhen Intermediate People’s Court took the lead in introducing the country’s first judicial protection of IP rights in the digital economy and appointing technical investigation officers to IP case trials. Advance Law Firm’s partner Li Ye tells ALB that the demand for intellectual property services has diverged in different fields in the Shenzhen and Guangzhou markets, with some areas showing significant growth while others have not. Demand for IP services is increasing in areas such as clothing, beverages, hotels and new energy. The number of bulk services of IP protection, well-known trademark cases, and cases with high compensation awards is rising. “Enterprises in both cities have similar needs for IP services. Compared to Guangzhou, Shenzhen has more technology enterprises and more cross-border e-commerce IP cases,” says Li. Morgan Lewis’s partner Shaobin Zhu sees an increase in demand for IP services in Shenzhen and Guangzhou, in particular from technology and life sciences companies. “Shenzhen is a major technology hub, with the highest density of startups in mainland China, and it is a staging ground for high-tech companies from all over the world,” says Zhu. Therefore, back in July, Morgan Lewis has officially launched its Shenzhen office. “We decided to open in Shenzhen to connect leading technology and life sciences companies in the region to Morgan Lewis’s full-service and industry capabilities throughout Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and the United States. The demand for services includes patent and trade secrets disputes, as well as drafting and negotiating license agreements and commercial contracts, and transactions and due diligence.” “The City of Shenzhen has been central to China’s emergence as a global technology leader. It’s important
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