Top court issued guidelines to improve tech innovation

China's top court issued guidelines on Monday, aiming to give stronger protection to technological innovation, innovative behaviors and innovators by improving the quality of relevant case handling.

While requiring courts at all levels to intensify the fight against corruption involving the country's key projects, scientific and technological major programs and core industries, the Supreme People's Court has also clarified in the guidelines that those with duty-related crimes in scientific and technological activities, such as abusing of power, malpractice and dereliction, will be punished severely harshly.

The guideline highlights the importance of scientific integrity, calling on judges to crack down on fraudulent practices in scientific research, including falsifying or tampering with experimental data, fabricating patents and hiring others to write papers.

In addition, the guideline directs courts nationwide to focus more on protecting business secrets and advancing data economic development, with the aim to combat monopolies and unfair competition actions related to internet platforms.

The top court said that it was the first time it has issued such a systematic and comprehensive legal document concerning scientific and technological innovation. Before that, relevant requirements had been scattered in different judicial interpretations and legal rules.

On Monday, the top court also disclosed eight influential cases related to innovation, including those on biomedicine, new energy, algorithms, chip and data.