New scheme to uphold IP rights in China
9th June 2008
The European Patent Office has launched a €16 million plan to try to ensure that the intellectual property rights (IPR) newly enshrined in China are upheld.
The EU–China Project on the Protection of Intellectual Property Rights is a multilateral collaboration between the European Patent Office, its Chinese counterpart, the Chinese State Intellectual Property Office (SIPO), the Chinese government and the European Commission.
Although China’s legal framework for protecting IPR is now in line with international standards, enforcement of remains a critical issue. Concerns about copyright infringement and patent violations persist, and over 70 percent of counterfeit products worldwide originate in China. More effective enforcement and better protection are the cornerstones of the EU-China programme. Over the next four years, it will target critical areas, applying the raft of direct measures that took effect in April.
The initiative also promises to provide better assistance to companies facing violations of IP rights in China. To underscore that China and the EU approach the issue as partners China is contributing €5.4 million, while the EU will provide €10.9 million. ..."
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