China sees substantial development in IP legal framework

The last ten years have seen significant developments in the legal framework related to intellectual property in China, according to the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China.

As its market opens up, China's IP system will need to continue to evolve if it is to support the needs of Chinese and international businesses operating in China and maintain a fair and competitive market environment, it said.

According to Adam Dunnett, Secretary General of European chamber, the EU-China IP Dialogue Mechanism has proved instrumental in helping to lay sound foundations for China's IP system and ease its convergence with global IP systems.

Innovation is the answer why fair implementation of IPR legislation so important and worth emphasizing, said the chamber.

Innovation can only flourish within a clear legal framework that protects the IP of those companies who have invested in, and are committed to, developing innovative products and services, it said.

With policy initiatives such as China Manufacturing 2025, the Chinese government has made clear their commitment to creating the right conditions to foster innovation and the important role this will play in China's economic growth over the coming years.

To mark the 10th anniversary of the EU-China IP Dialogue Mechanism, an intention to create a platform where issues related to the protection and enforcement of IP could be discussed set up 10 years ago, the European Chamber held a conference on IPR, Innovation and Development in Beijing on Wednesday.

The conference touched on how companies, both foreign and Chinese, innovate in practice, and explored what they are doing to protect their IPR, according to the chamber.

It will also examine the various IPR protection mechanisms that are already in place and the challenges and opportunities that have arisen as a result of recent reforms to IPR legislation.

According to the chamber, the EU-China IP Dialogue Mechanism has been complemented down the years by supporting projects such as the EU-China Trade Project and the EU-China Project on the Protection of Intellectual Property Rights.

Some of the more significant contributions stemming from these projects have come from legislative exchanges, peer exchanges and comparative analysis, which have helped to increase knowledge and develop common understandings, it said.

These interventions have substantially contributed to the adjustment of China's national IP legislation, which has come a long way to strengthening economic relations between the EU and China.

The drafting process of China's laws is a good example of how this has achieved a positive result, and the process has allowed for extensive comments and suggestions to be submitted by European businesses, it said.

With more emphasis on the protection of intellectual property rights, the Chinese government has been coming up with greater improvements in legal protections and enforcement.

In 2011, the State Council, or the country's cabinet, released a guideline for improving efforts in combating IPR infringements and the manufacturing and sale of fake and shoddy products.

China also places great emphasis on the protection of business secrets, and encourages companies to step up technological research and development to enhance their competitiveness, the ministry said.