Two Chinese companies win WIPO awards

Two Chinese technology companies are among the winners of this year's World Intellectual Property Organization Global Awards for their creative use of IP in logistics and the cultural sector.

The organization announced the results of its 2023 Global Awards competition — which recognized seven small and medium-sized enterprises for the way they have used IP for economic, social and cultural impact — in a statement on its website on Tuesday.

The seven winners are at the forefront of innovation and have contributed in diverse areas, the statement said.

The two Chinese companies are Shanghai Westwell Technology and Xi'an KissFuture Network Technology.

Shanghai Westwell has a robust patent, industrial design and trademark portfolio that offers multi-scenario intelligent and green solutions in the bulk logistics field.

The Xi'an company in Shaanxi province leads in augmented and virtual reality technology, and their patented motion platforms and hardware optimization offer comprehensive solutions to cinemas and cultural institutions.

The other winners are from France, Kenya, Mexico, Singapore and Slovenia, and are involved in the fields of air quality measurement instruments, nanotechnology platforms for targeted drug delivery, AI-based cybersecurity solutions and sustainable and biodegradable material technology.

"For SMEs, IP is both a shield and a sword. It not only helps protect their ideas, but is also a vehicle for entering and succeeding in new markets. This is why we are working so hard to ensure that SMEs are using IP to grow and scale," WIPO Director General Daren Tang said at the awards ceremony.

"SMEs make up 90 percent of all companies in the world. Building a more inclusive IP ecosystem that brings IP closer to SMEs is key to WIPO's strategy, and we see these awards as a chance to celebrate, recognize and reward dynamic and innovative SMEs using innovation to change the world," he added.