According to the municipal government, Yichang is officially awarded as National Intellectual Property Model City by the State Intellectual Property Bureau. In terms of overall strength, Yichang ranks top among the 8 authorized cities and becomes the first city to win this honor in Hubei province.
　　Since the drive of building Yichang into a model city of State Intellectual Property has been launched, the municipal party committee and the municipal government consider intellectual property as an important step in implementing innovation-oriented development strategy and building the creative city. More funds have been invested to perfect the intellectual property system and strengthen executive power in protecting intellectual property. The creation, adoption, protection and management of intellectual property have been greatly improved. The intellectual property work in Yichang takes the lead in the whole province.
　　The applications of patented products in Yichang reached 7,274 in 2014, increasing by 46.33% compared with the previous year. Among them, the applications of patent for invention are 2,258, increasing by 34.17%. The number of the authorizations of patents for invention are 277, increasing by 36.45%. Tianhong Technology Company, Gezhouba Dam Group, Three Gorges Group and Wuhuan Drilling Machine Company applied international patents in 7 countries, including America, Japan, North Korea and others. Altogether there are 7 applications for international patent, growing by 40% compared with the previous year. There are 8 patents for invention which won the Excellent Award in China and another one won the golden prize at international invention exhibition. The Angel Yeast Co. Ltd., Yihua Chemical Industry Co. Ltd., , Changji Technology Company and HXF SAW CO., LTD have become influential enterprises at home and abroad. 21 companies have been listed as the model ones in the Provincial Intellectual Property.  (Correspondents: Zhou Lihua, Xie Chao, Mei Yunxiong)