The Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Intellectual Property & Big Data was officially established in December 2018 with the approval of the Department of Science and Technology of Guangdong Province. It is jointly built by Guangdong Polytechnic Normal University, Guangdong University of Technology, and the Guangdong Intellectual Property Protection Center. As the only provincial-level key laboratory in China dedicated to the research of intellectual property big data, it operates under the guidance of the national strategy for building a strong intellectual property nation. In response to the era's demand for scientific and technological self-reliance, the laboratory is committed to providing solid support for the development of an independent and controllable core technology system. Leveraging cutting-edge technologies in intellectual property (IP) and large language models, the laboratory conducts fundamental and applied research on IP big data and data-related intellectual property. It focuses on three key areas: intelligent algorithms for IP big data, security and storage methods for IP, and R&D innovation and achievement transformation driven by IP big data. The goal is to promote the in-depth application of artificial intelligence in the IP field, break down technological barriers between innovation entities and industrial demand, accelerate the rapid transformation and application of innovative achievements, and cultivate high-level innovative talents. Ultimately, the laboratory aims to build a high-quality IP innovation system that empowers the entire innovation chain and supports the development of Guangdong's modern industrial system.
The laboratory brings together a team of 47 interdisciplinary researchers from fields such as engineering, science, law, and management, with an average age of 44. Specifically, the team includes 25 professors and 12 associate professors. Additionally, the laboratory has attracted and cultivated a number of outstanding talents, including three national-level experts: Professor Jinchang Ren, a Changjiang Scholar Chair Professor (Overseas); Professor Yongquan Ling, a recipient of the Young Thousand Talents Program; and Professor Jun Cai, a nationally recognized high-level talent. More than ten researchers have been selected for various provincial-level talent programs. The laboratory has always placed great emphasis on talent development, recognizing it as the core driving force for growth. It has established a high-level, interdisciplinary research team focused on the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and intellectual property (AI+IP). Over the past three years, with the laboratory leader’s dedicated support and cultivation, a number of significant achievements in talent development have emerged. Professor Qingyun Dai was selected as a Leading Talent in Intellectual Property under the Guangdong Special Support Program; Professor Xu Lu was awarded the title of Pearl River Scholar Distinguished Professor; and Professors Zhao Li and Zhenyou Tang were recognized as Guangdong provincial Young High-Level Talent Special Support Programs in Intellectual Property.
Professor Qingyun Dai, the laboratory director and leading academic figure, is a distinguished professor (Level II) who has pioneered research on image retrieval technology for design patents in China. Her current research focuses on theoretical studies of intellectual property big data and industrial big data, as well as the application of large-scale models in the vertical domain of intellectual property. Her achievements have earned significant accolades, including China Patent Excellence Award (1), Guangdong Patent Gold Award (1), First Prize of Guangdong Provincial Science and Technology Progress Award (1), Second Prize of Guangdong Provincial Science and Technology Progress Awards (2), and the 4th New Century Female Inventors Outstanding Award (1).
Since the establishment, the laboratory has undertaken multiple national key projects represented by the National Natural Science Foundation of China-Guangdong Joint Fund Key Program “Research on Optimization Theory and Key Technologies for Intelligent Retrieval of Design Patents”, as well as over 70 provincial/ministerial-level projects. The relevant research achievements have garnered more than 10 provincial/ministerial awards, such as First Prize of Guangdong Science and Technology Progress Award, Second Prize of Ministry of Education Science and Technology Progress Award, China Patent Excellence Award, Guangdong Outstanding Inventor Award, and Gold Award at the Greater Bay Area High-Value Patent Competition. The laboratory has published more than 140 high-impact papers in journals including TNNLS, TII, and Information Fusion, released 9 intellectual property analysis reports (one of which received instructions from a Standing Committee Member of the Guangdong Provincial Party Committee), and secured over 100 invention patents. It has developed innovative products serving the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, such as Qingyun Intellectual Property Large-Scale Model, image search platform, and image blockchain platform. These achievements have been widely applied in intellectual property examination, protection, industrial R&D, and innovation services, delivering significant economic and social benefits.
