China provides international companies strong IP protection

US auto company Tesla sets a very good example for foreign companies whose IP rights are well protected in China. Tesla has currently applied for 266 patents in China, including 122 invention patent applications, 67 granted, 27 utility model applications and 50 design applications, according to Long.

Apart from Tesla, a lot of international companies who have been operating in China for many years, have obtained a large amount of IP rights. For example, Exxon Mobil Corporation has obtained 1,683 invention patents accumulatively in China, Long said, emphasizing China provides equal IP protection for domestic and foreign companies.

Foreign companies can easily apply for patents and trademarks during the COVID-19 pandemic since applicants can submit applications and communicate with examiners electronically and without any physical contact.

In addition, through WIPO's "Priority Document Digital Access Service", China National Intellectual Property Administration can exchange priority documents electronically with other Intellectual Property Offices through the same platform and foreign applicants don't need to request for a priority document from one Office and submit it to another Office, Long said.

Moreover, some big e-commerce platforms have also established their own IP protection platforms, including the Alibaba intellectual property rights protection platform, which makes it more convenient for rights holders to stop IP infringement.

The China International Fair for Trade in Services 2020, running from Sept 4-9, has played an effective role in promoting stable development of foreign trade and foreign investment. IP professionals can use their knowledge to maximize the value of foreign companies' intellectual property assets, Long said.