China to Implement Intellectual Property Strategy

Intellectual Property Symposium
credits: CRIENGLISH.COM

A symposium on implementing Intellectual Property Strategy Higher Education in China has just concluded at Renmin University on October 22. The forum aimed to further implement intellectual property strategies and develop an innovative economy, as well as providing an overview of the intellectual property education system.

Binying Wang, assistant director-general of the World Intellectual Property Organization ( WIPO ) explained the importance of the forum: “This forum is particularly significant since it’s been organized right after the successful conclusion of a most important event—the 17th CPC Congress. From which there is great interest and expectation that a national intellectual property strategy will be launched.”

According to a report conducted by the World Bank of over 120 countries, the richest countries in the world are no longer those with numerous natural resources, but those with intangible wealth. Premiere Wen Jiabao once said, competition in the future will be the competition of intellectual property rights.

“Intellectual property laws show respect for people and human rights, also for inventions. By protecting intellectual property rights, you protect creationism. Just as the report of the 17th CPC Congress said, China, and other countries in the world, have to reform and be innovative, at the same time, the fruit of innovation has to be protected.” said Xu Jialu, vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress.

The protection of intellectual property rights is widely recognized as a vital instrument for the promotion of economic, social and cultural development. It’s very clear that the Chinese government attaches great importance to protecting intellectual property rights, including the promotion and improving of higher education systems. It has made excellent progress in this regard over the past decade, both domestically and internationally.

China’s first intellectual property research center was established 21 years ago at Renmin University, when even lawyers and ordinary people didn’t know what intellectual property laws were. “That was a historical moment. Twenty-one years ago, we already had a research centre concerned with intellectual property rights,” said the president of Renmin University, Ji Baocheng.

Since then, the higher education of intellectual property rights has gradually spread to all top universities in China, with Renmin University becoming a leader in the field.

Over the past 20 years, intellectual property rights in China have developed dramatically, aligning with other international conventions. Intellectual property rights have indeed penetrated every facet of the Chinese people’s daily life.

According to Li Dongsheng, vice-director of China’s State Administration for Industry and Commerce (SAIC), the trademark office of SAIC launched a plan to disseminate intellectual property rights in the countryside, since that time they have gained great success.

“We promote agricultural product trademarks and geographical indicators throughout China. In this way many farmers’ income has increased, and the value of agricultural products has also obtained obvious improvements.”