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19 January 2017Copyright

China to enhance IP cooperation, releases five-year plan

China has revealed it is willing to enhance cooperation on intellectual property with countries, according to a senior official, days after releasing a five-year plan on the protection and application of IP.

This is according to Gan Shaoning, deputy director of China’s State Intellectual Property Office, speaking at a press conference reported on by Chinese news agency Xinhua on Tuesday, January 17.

Shaoning said that China’s IP system—“a complete and internationally-recognised legal system for IPR protection”—incorporated both administrative and judicial protection, and was something that had “taken developed countries hundreds of years”.

On Friday, January 13, China’s State Council released a national plan on protection and application of IP, which will be carried out during the 13th five-year plan period (2016-2020).

“The move is aimed at improving the legal environment, enhance market value and strengthen comprehensive management of IPR in China,” said the council in a statement.

According to the plan, by 2020 China’s ownership of patent inventions will increase from 6.3 per 10,000 people in 2015 to 12 in 10,000, and international applications will double to 60,000, from 30,000 in 2015.

Seven major tasks for the development of IP were put forward in the plan, including improving the legal system for IP, strengthening protection of IP, improving quality and benefits, promoting industrial upgrading, and promoting international cooperation and exchanges.

Shaoning added that media reports that US President-elect Donald Trump had applied for trademarks in China demonstrate that China’s IP system complied with international standards.

However, he acknowledged that there have been some problems with IP protection as China was a developing country with a “short history” of IP, but he opposed accusations of IP abuse to exercise trade protectionism.

“Exercising strict IPR protection is not only a demand for the country to attract foreign investment, open up to the outside world, and pursue innovation-driven development, but also an essential requirement for upgrading economic and social development,” Shaoning said.

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