High Level Forum on China Intellectual Property Protection
April 25, 2018
The High Level Forum on China Intellectual Property Protection took place on April 20 and 21, 2018, in Beijing to mark World Intellectual Property (IP) Day 2018. The Forum theme was “Strengthening the Protection of Intellectual Property and Fostering a Harmonious Business Environment”.
Through the main Forum event and six sub-fora, various issues were discussed including:
- The “Go Global” strategy of Enterprises and Intellectual Property (IP) protection;
- Enhancement of IP legislation and enforcement;
- IP protection and pharmaceuticals, AI, big data, etc.; and
- IP protection and anti-competition measures.
WIPO Deputy Director General Ms. Wang Binying, Commissioner of China’s State Intellectual Property Office (SIPO) Mr. Shen Changyu, and over 1000 officials and business representatives from China and other countries took part in the Forum.
Speeches
Ms. Wang delivered a keynote speech, expressing appreciation for China’s experience of developing its economy and technological power through the use of IP over the last four decades.
She mentioned that SIPO received the highest number of patent applications in 2016 – a record total of 1.3 million – and that Chinese residents are leading users of WIPO’s global IP services
She also reaffirmed WIPO’s commitment to long term-cooperation with China.
In the speech, Ms. Wang pointed out that the theme of 2018 World IP Day is “Powering Change: women in innovation and creativity”.
Mr. Shen noted that women are an important group in global innovation and creativity whose contribution deserves admiration of the world.
Mr. Shen detailed progress China has made in 2017 in the IP field and expressed appreciation to WIPO for its support and close cooperation. He said that in order to enhance the effectiveness of IP protection, SIPO will work on four headline measures:
- actively promoting the comprehensive enforcement of IP;
- inclusion of provisions of punitive damage for IP infringement in patent law to be revised;
- building up a convenient, efficient and cost-effective mechanism for safeguarding IP rights; and
- promoting an international IP system characterized by openness, inclusiveness, balance and effectiveness.