China promises to strengthen IP rights

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The Chinese government reportedly wants to increase its efforts to protect intellectual property rights and take new measures to improve the overall legal situation. The goal is to provide sustainable impetus for the economic development of the country.

In late November, the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, led by Premier Li Keqiang, adopted a decision to this effect. As a result, the protection of intellectual property rights in the private sector will be brought into line with that of the public sector and economic offences will be targeted more effectively. At the same time, industrial property rights should become cheaper.

“Enhancing the protection of intellectual property rights is a matter of overall strategic significance, and it is vitally important for the development of a socialist market economy,” explained Premier Li.

To protect intellectual property rights, the government also plans to increase penalties for IP violations. In addition, enforcement measures to safeguard IP rights in key areas such as import and export as well as online trade will be strengthened. In all areas where trade in counterfeit goods is particularly rampant, law enforcement agencies are expected to take greater and more aggressive action.

“There are still quite a few problems with the current property rights protection system. Deficiency in this area […] is a main cause for the slide in private investment,” Premier Li said during the State Council meeting. “The wider opening-up of the country calls for enhancing IPR protection. All related laws and measures must be fully implemented; the problem of violators getting away with IPR infringements must be tackled to dispel any public concerns.”

Sources: State Council of the People’s Republic of China, World Trademark Review, Reuters

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