Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Shi Guangsheng spoke of the progress being made in intellectual property rights protection in China at the fourth annual China Hi-Tech Fair 2002 in Shenzhen recently.

The minister said that China has made great efforts in intellectual property rights protection and that the government considers it a vital area for legislative reform and policy amendment. He went on to say that in attempting to construct enforceable laws, China could effectively protect the intellectual rights of individuals and companies.

China has so far enacted and engaged in the following intellectual rights legislation and activities:

A legal system that attempts to protect the intellectual rights of others by enforcing the patent and copyright laws and associated regulations concerning computer software and medicine.

A legal system that punishes the violation of intellectual property rights and that this has been enforced around the country.

The updating of legal specifications to comply with World Trade Organisation (WTO) regulations.

The amendment of laws governing copyright, trademark and patents and also regulations governing computer software.

Instituting new laws and regulations.

The collaboration of government departments to combat intellectual rights violations.

Dissemination of intellectual property rights protection information to the general public.

Initiating active involvement and cooperation with international intellectual property rights protection. China joined the Convention Establishing the World Intellectual Property Organization and has participated in its activities including bi-lateral exchange and cooperation with other member countries. It has taken membership of additional international governing legislation.

The safeguarding of foreign investors' rights. China enacts a national protection campaign for foreign investment and brand name protection.

Membership of the WTO now requires adherence to the amendment and multi-lateral regulation of intellectual property rights. The minister added that new regulations governing these amendments would take particular consideration of the interests and difficulties of developing countries. Commenting on the enforcement of the technology protection law, Shi said:

"Developing countries have put great effort into achieving the wishes of the technology treaty, so in turn new regulations should encourage these developed countries to use and transfer these technologies accordingly."

He added that the international exchange and cooperation of intellectual property rights protection will create an impetus for growth and progress in the field.

(china.org.cn by Feng Yikun, October 21, 2002)