University libraries provide intellectual property information service in China: theoretical framework and system development

Abstract

PurposeThere is no proposed solution to address the unresolved issues of constructing the Chinese university intellectual property information service system (IPISS) to promote the whole process service efficiency of IP creation, utilization, protection and management. The purpose of this paper is to propose a complete system, including theoretical framework and system development which addresses the existing difficulties to IP create, protect and transfer for researchers in universities. The paper shares the practice of utilizing the system developed by Wuhan University IP research team known as Wuhan University Intellectual Property Information Service System (WHU-IPISS).Design/methodology/approachFirst, the IPISS of 23 universities in China was investigated on the internet. Aiming at the deficiencies of the system, such as single service type, lack of patent display window, low management efficiency. This paper constructs the theoretical framework, proposes the IP ecological chain model, divides it into four sub-chains and carries on the functional design. Further, under the theoretical framework, the IPISS was developed, including the resource supply management system, user demand matching system, resource assessment system and expert support system. Finally, the system was applied to Wuhan University to provide IP services in the whole process for university researchers.FindingsWHU-IPISS realizes the functions of IP resource supply, demand matching, value evaluation and expert support. It solves the IP needs of university researchers and provides a guarantee for their technology research, patent portfolio, patent transfer and patent rights protection. It also improves the efficiency of IP service and can construct the IP ecosphere in universities.Originality/valueThe WHU-IPISS solution resolves issues of “How to develop the university IP whole process service model, fulfilling the IP service needs for universities' researchers”. The software will be released as open-source for other universities' use. The publishing model is also useful for those universities that intend to implement the IPISS.

Development and validation of the intellectual property services scale in China

“…Second, research on the IPS system have become increasingly rich. Some scholars have examined foreign experiences, constructional strategies and operational mechanisms of IPS system [ 18 , 19 ]. Third, recent topics have centered on discussing how university libraries effectively integrated and leveraged their resources and advantages [ 20 ], so as to promote the optimization and development of IPS [ [21] , [22] , [23] ], and thus provided innovators or inventors (teachers and students) with consultation and support related to intellectual property [ 24 ].…”