Guideline urges stronger efforts to guard IPR

The Ministry of Public Security has issued a guideline calling for intensified efforts to combat crimes targeting intellectual property rights, with a focus on protecting technological innovation and promoting industrial development.

The guideline, which took effect on Wednesday, advocates for strict action against crimes involving the infringement of trade secrets, counterfeiting and other IPR violations in the manufacturing industry, productive service sector and consumer goods industry.

The goal is to safeguard technological innovation and support industrial growth, the ministry said.

In June last year, public security authorities in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, uncovered a case in which trade secrets were being illegally provided to overseas parties. Authorities arrested 12 suspects and intercepted the transmission of 26 sets of confidential technical documents belonging to a Chinese new energy enterprise.

In February this year, authorities in Zaozhuang, Shandong province, cracked down on a software copyright infringement ring, arresting 16 suspects, dismantling five sales dens and seizing more than 2,000 pirated engineering software dongles. The operation effectively protected and stimulated innovation and creativity among enterprises, according to the ministry.

The guideline also highlights the need to promote cultural innovation by cracking down on all forms of IPR infringement and piracy in accordance with the law.

To safeguard people's livelihoods and ensure safety, the guideline calls for targeted crackdowns on frequent crimes in the food and pharmaceutical sectors, as well as on counterfeit and substandard goods that pose risks to production and daily life, including firefighting equipment, building materials and electrical devices.

Authorities are also instructed to strictly address crimes involving counterfeiting and infringement related to seeds, fertilizers and the production and sale of counterfeit cigarettes to protect public health.

In August last year, public security authorities in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, uncovered a case involving the production and sale of counterfeit branded sausages. Authorities arrested 11 suspects, dismantled five production and sales sites, shut down four online stores selling fake products and seized 1,100 kilograms of sausages, effectively safeguarding public food safety and protecting the rights of businesses, the ministry said.

In March this year, authorities in Beijing's Chaoyang district uncovered a case involving the illegal production and sale of counterfeit branded toys via livestreams and other online channels. They arrested 48 suspects, dismantled six criminal gangs and seized more than 500,000 toys.

The guideline further calls for improving enforcement mechanisms to enable precise, extensive and coordinated crackdowns on IPR crimes. It emphasizes strengthening interdepartmental coordination and making full use of bilateral and multilateral mechanisms to deepen international law enforcement cooperation.

A comprehensive system for IPR crime investigations should be established, the guideline says, while advancing the use of big data and intelligent technologies to enhance protection efforts.