Rapid Expansion of the Digital Economy
With the explosive growth of information technology, the digital economy has become a dominant force worldwide. Data, its central element, is increasingly valuable. Ambiguous ownership, however, exposes data transactions and sharing to legal risks—unauthorized use and leakage, for example—that erode owners’ rights.

Policy Support and Institutional Innovation
To foster a robust data-element market, the Chinese government has issued a series of supporting policies. In June 2025, the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) released the “Guidelines on Strengthening Data-Related IP Protection,” calling for an explicit registration regime and an improved ownership-protection mechanism. These measures provide a clear legal and policy foundation.

Clarifying Ownership
The core purpose of data IP registration is to identify and record rightful ownership. Once registered, a data owner can delineate the scope of its rights and deter unauthorized use and infringement. For instance, after registering its datasets, a technology firm successfully stopped a competitor’s unauthorized data scraping, safeguarding its competitive advantage.

Promoting Data Circulation
Registration not only protects rights but also lowers the transaction risk for data sharing. Owners can trade or share data with greater confidence, energizing the data market. A financial-services company, for example, registered its datasets and then securely shared them with partners, boosting both utilization efficiency and value.

Zhejiang Province as a Pioneer
In July 2025, Zhejiang—China’s designated pilot province—issued the “Data IP Registration Guide,” detailing procedures and requirements. Local firms can now register quickly and at lower cost. An e-commerce company that completed registration leveraged its data for precision marketing, raising both operational efficiency and market competitiveness.

Enterprise Case Study
A fintech firm registered its datasets and then safely shared them with partners. The registration clarified ownership and usage rights, preventing unauthorized access. Through this sharing, the firm and its partners achieved mutual gains and spurred innovation in financial technology.

Registration Process and Key Considerations
The standard workflow comprises:
• submission of an application by the data owner,
• review by the registration authority,
• public notice, and
• issuance of a registration certificate.
Applicants should ensure:
• Legality—data must be lawfully obtained and must not infringe third-party rights.
• Completeness—submitted data must be accurate and fully describe content and features.
• Security—technical measures must protect confidentiality and integrity throughout the process.

System Refinement and Nationwide Rollout
The data IP registration regime will continue to mature. CNIPA is drafting national unified standards to ensure consistency and reliability across regions.

International Cooperation and Exchange
Data IP registration is gaining global attention. China is deepening collaboration with international organizations and other countries. A notable initiative is ongoing talks with the EU to establish a bilateral cooperation mechanism that addresses IP protection in cross-border data flows.

Technological Innovation and Application
Emerging technologies such as blockchain and AI will make registration smarter and more efficient. Blockchain, for instance, can provide end-to-end traceability and tamper-proof records, raising the bar for data IP protection.