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23 April 2014Copyright

Rumours circulate over Chinese IP court

Officials in China have welcomed the idea of a court dedicated to hearing IP disputes, according to reports.

The court is likely to be built in the Guangdong region of the country, but could be in one of three cities, a Chinese regional newspaper reported.

In November last year, WIPR reported that the government said it would be “exploring ways” to set up an IP court.

The suggestion was featured in “The Decision on Major Issues Concerning Comprehensively Deepening Reforms”, a 60-point government plan that includes proposals covering a range of policies.

Although they welcomed the idea of a specialist court, lawyers told WIPR at the time that they were sceptical about whether it would be implemented.

But, according to the South China Morning Post, the proposals have been welcomed by lawyers and government officials, while the cities of Guangdong, Shenzhen and Zhuhai have all filed an interest in hosting the court.

Zhu Xiaodan, governor of Guangdong, said the province would do its best to be part of the programme.

"The notion and the law of IP is the key for indigenous innovation," Zhu told the South China Morning Post.

"The government needs to strengthen its management system to better serve innovative companies and protect them."

Jin Kesheng, vice president of the IPR tribunal at the Supreme People's Court, said the IP court is expected to launch after the authorities study other dedicated IP courts such as those in Germany and Japan.

“A special court dealing with IP cases also needs specialised and professional judges, and we have to prepare for that. It would be a major step forward for China’s judicial reform,” Kesheng said.

The government has set a deadline of 2020 for implementing reforms outlined in the 60-point plan.

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20 November 2013   The Chinese government has said it plans to set up a new court dedicated solely to IP matters.