"Lenovo has converted its previous defense strategy into a defense plus attack strategy," said Li.

The firm has also carried out detailed work on patent litigation and licensing as part of its overseas development strategy.

The company plans to invest heavily in patents and strengthen its IPR operation, said Li.

High-tech Chinese companies, such as Xiaomi, Huawei and ZTE, are also grasping share of the global market.

"Fast movers will take their positions and finally challenge overseas giants," said Lei Jun, CEO and founder of Xiaomi Tech.

As of April 25, Xiaomi had applied for 1,000 patents and expects to double the figure by the end of the year.

FAST TRACK

"Patent management has been important for Chinese high-tech companies in their overseas development," said Lin Peng, president of Z-good Sci-tech Co. Ltd.

Lin is optimistic about China's technical innovation. He quit his position as a senior executive in a U.S patent management company and returned to China and established Z-good.

The company has recruited staff with overseas high-tech or patent management background.

High-tech companies are striving to break away from "copycat", "piracy" and "plagiary" criticism.

"What concerns my high-tech company clients most are IPR strategy and early warning," said Li Lei, manager of Hui Zhijia Intellectual Property Management Consulting Co. Ltd. in Beijing.

Li said his role is "IPR counsellor" or "interpreter" for companies. Previously, his clients mainly asked him for help in getting rid of IPR litigation.

He helped one pharmaceutical company in Beijing to slash 50 percent off the asking price in an overseas acquisition thanks to an evaluation on IPR.

In 2013, The State Intellectual Property Office accepted more than 2.37 million patent applications, a 15.9 year-on-year increase. It accepted more than 22,924 international applications, a 15 percent year-on-year rise.

"Chinese high-tech companies are moving away from a bad reputation to a fast track on innovation and IPR protection," said Liu Haibo, researcher with the Institute of Policy and Management of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.