New IPR plan protects IPR of Chinese companies overseas

China will give stronger support to enterprises and make it more convenient for them to protect their intellectual property rights overseas, according to an official from the country's top IPR regulator.

"IPR has become a crucial element for multinationals, including Chinese ones, in international competition. While safeguarding the IPR of foreign companies at home, we should also attach greater importance to protecting the IPR of Chinese companies that go abroad," said Gan Shaoning, deputy head of the China National Intellectual Property Administration.

He made the remarks at a news conference, held by the State Council Information Office on Monday, to explain the newly released IPR Protection and Application Plan During the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25).

Gan said that international cooperation on IPR reviews will be strengthened, and the sharing of patents and new plant varieties will be promoted for the greater convenience of the overseas authorization of Chinese IPR.

"We'll also help Chinese innovators increase their efficiency at expanding overseas IPR distribution by making use of global service systems provided by global IPR-related organizations," he added.

To better protect Chinese IPR abroad, risk warnings and emergency international IPR response systems will be established.

In addition, Gan said that the administration will build a research base to track international IPR trends and improve their ability to offer IPR information services overseas.

Insurance companies will also be encouraged to develop businesses involving overseas IPR infringement, he added.

On Thursday, the State Council, China's Cabinet, issued the IPR protection and application plan, raising a number of specific requirements and setting goals for authorities over the next five years.

Increasing international cooperation on IPR is one of four major goals. The other three are stronger protection, more effective application and high-quality services.

In September, China issued a long-term plan on IPR, stating that the country's IPR competitiveness will rank among the top in the world by 2035, with a complete IPR system, prosperous growth in IPR-driven innovation and a better social environment for IPR culture.