New measures to protect intellectual property rights (IPR) in China were unveiled yesterday.

 

The State Intellectual Property Office, together with other relevant departments, issued China's Action Plan on IPR Protection 2006 that defines China's tasks in IPR protection and related guidelines.

 

"It's the first comprehensive annual action plan we have formulated," said an official with the office.

 

The plan, to be modified every year, reflects the strong determination of the Chinese government to actively enforce IPR protection, he said.

 

It covers four major areas: trademarks, copyrights, patents, and import and export issues. It also contains the roles and functions of 11 government departments, including the Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of Information Industry, and Ministry of Commerce.

 

According to the plan, China will draft or revise 17 laws, regulations, and measures relating to trademarks, copyrights, patents and customs protection, and clarify six judicial interpretations of applicable legislation.

 

To establish a long-term mechanism for IPR protection, the government will build a service center for the reporting and complaining of IPR violations, and publicize law enforcement statistics.

 

"IPR protection is a global issue. We will increase our collaboration with other countries in this regard," the official said.

 

Further, 21 training programs have been planned for this year to raise the public's awareness of IPR issues.

 

(China Daily March 9, 2006)