I am Amy Ouyang, one of the founders of PureWater Patent Firm and the director of Patent2CN. My career, intertwined with the story of Patent2CN, traces its origins back to 1999.[Learn About My Colleagues……]

In that year, I was a researcher at BUPT. In October, I traveled with my mentor to Geneva to participate in the International Telecom Exhibition, presenting our proud creation: Little Smart. This device connected to fixed telephone networks via digital wireless technology, a stark contrast to the Motorola devices dominating the market at the time. It was the culmination of our team’s relentless effort and a testament to our independent innovation.

But fate had an unexpected twist in store. On the second day of the exhibition, our product was seized by the organizers on allegations of patent infringement. Worse still, we were informed of a potential fine of 50,000 Swiss francs—an astronomical sum compared to my annual salary of less than 10,000 Swiss francs. Ultimately, because we had not commercialized the device, the patent owner chose not to pursue the matter. Yet, the incident left an indelible mark on me.

How could Little Smart, a device we had independently developed, infringe on someone else’s patent? This question weighed heavily on my mind and spurred me to explore the world of patent law. Night after night, weekend after weekend, I immersed myself in the intricacies of intellectual property, seeking answers. Slowly, I began to uncover the truth: independent innovation alone does not safeguard one from patent disputes. In the complex, interconnected currents of global technological advancement, patent strategies, regulatory frameworks, and intellectual property awareness were far more nuanced than I had ever imagined.

Determined to fully understand this domain, I made a bold decision to start anew. I pursued a Master of Laws degree at Renmin University of China and passed the bar exam after graduation. This journey not only filled the gaps in my knowledge but also deepened my appreciation for the pivotal role intellectual property plays in fostering technological innovation.

Then, a new era unfolded. In 2001, China joined the WTO, opening its doors to globalization. Intellectual property protection became a pivotal challenge for China’s integration into the global economy. In 2002, I joined Liu Shen & Associates, marking the beginning of my connection to the international world of intellectual property. There, I received China’s most rigorous patent training, working with global giants like Samsung, Panasonic, Siemens, and Sony. I learned the intricacies of advanced patent strategies and witnessed the cutting edge of global innovation.

China quickly rose to become the “world’s factory,” producing more than half of the world’s goods. Inevitably, China became a critical battlefield for international patent strategies. Starting in 2002, I witnessed the meteoric rise of China’s patent system: annual patent filings skyrocketed from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands; patent quality evolved from riddled with flaws to nearing global middle standards; the number of patent agents grew from mere thousands to tens of thousands. It was a time of rapid progress—a period where China matured swiftly within the currents of globalization.

In 2006, seizing the immense opportunities in this burgeoning industry, I and a few colleagues decided to establish a patent firm. Within just three months of founding, we signed a cooperation agreement with a Korean firm, representing them for patent filings in China. Grateful for their trust, we spared no effort in fulfilling our commitment—hiring Korean-speaking patent attorneys and advancing nearly one million yuan in patent fees and service costs.

However, the reality turned out to be far more complicated than it seemed. Ten months later, we discovered that those who had signed the agreement with us were not legitimate representatives of the Korean firm, but former employees falsely acting under its name. When the lawsuit ended in defeat, we had no choice but to absorb all the losses. This setback was a rude awakening to the harsh complexities of the business world, far beyond anything we had anticipated. Ultimately, we had to dissolve the firm, each of us returning to start anew.

In 2008, the Beijing Olympics showcased China’s technological advancements to the world. That same year, China’s annual patent filings surpassed one million for the first time—a historic milestone. Yet, I was absent from this grand moment, as I was then working in Germany. From 2008 to 2014, I practiced patent law in renowned firms across Germany, the United States, and the United Kingdom. During those six years, I had the privilege of gaining deep insights into the patent systems of the world’s major economies and understanding their contrasts with China’s evolving framework.

My engineering background and solid foundation in patent work allowed me to adapt quickly to different intellectual property environments around the world. From the precision of European systems to the efficiency of American processes, I not only absorbed the essence of various patent regimes but also learned invaluable lessons in team management and service delivery. However, amidst this learning, one glaring issue became evident:

Patent services in these countries were prohibitively expensive, accessible only to large corporations. Meanwhile, as technology advanced at a breakneck pace, many patent attorneys were left behind, their technical knowledge and service philosophies outdated and disconnected from the needs of the modern era.

In 2014, I returned to China and joined forces with like-minded colleagues to establish PureWater Patent Firm in Shenzhen. Our mission was simple yet profound: to make patent services affordable and accessible to everyone.

Five years later, as our business grew and became more specialized, we carved out a dedicated division for handling international clients’ patent filings in China, launching the Patent2CN brand. This new department was designed to simplify the complex patent application process for global clients, offering transparent pricing and capping our profit margin at 5%. This approach underscored our commitment not to short-term profits, but to fostering a sustainable and healthy ecosystem in the intellectual property industry.

This decision earned us the trust of a loyal client base, composed primarily of small to medium-sized enterprises and law firms. While we didn’t amass vast wealth, we gained something even more valuable—reputation and lasting partnerships.

Last year, at our annual gathering, we invited all clients who could attend to share and celebrate our collective journey. Each story shared that day filled me with pride and emotion:

• Peter Lanc, who leveraged a key patent to dominate the neck massager market in China, effectively preventing international competitors from manufacturing their products in the country, thereby significantly raising their costs. He credited this success to Patent2CN’s legal team, who meticulously restructured his patent claims. Initially, he was highly resistant to these changes, but after our attorneys presented a 20,000-word analytical report explaining the strategic implications, he embraced the revisions. In hindsight, he admitted this adjustment was pivotal to his market strategy.
• Oman Rook, who recounted his triumph in the construction materials industry using what he called the “wolf pack offensive strategy.” By filing a large number of patents to create strategic barriers, he systematically outmaneuvered his competitors. He acknowledged that Patent2CN’s fair pricing and efficient services enabled him to establish his patent portfolio faster and more comprehensively than his rivals, laying the groundwork for his tactical success.

Over the years, our team has grown, and so have the businesses we serve. From a small group of just over a dozen people to a thriving team of more than a hundred, our scale may have expanded, but our core spirit has remained unchanged: to protect innovation with expertise and to treat every client with passion and care. We evolve alongside the companies we support, keeping pace with technological advancements and fostering sustainable growth.

As the director of Patent2CN, I am now 54 years old. Reflecting on every step of my journey, I deeply realize that my destiny is to serve as a steward for innovators. From my early days in scientific research to my immersion in law and my current role in intellectual property services, I have always stood by the side of creators—listening to their ideas, solving their problems, and safeguarding their dreams.

I hope to continue serving innovators worldwide for another 10 years, igniting the sparks of invention and helping dreams soar higher and farther under the protection of strong intellectual property. This is not just my career; it is the mission of my life.