A helpdesk aimed at assisting European Union small and medium sized enterprises (SME) on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) issues in China, funded by DG Enterprise and Industry of the European Commission, was launched in Beijing Wednesday.

The "China IPR SME Helpdesk" was launched to support EU SMEs in both the protection and enforcement of IPR in and relating to China, through the provision of free information, training and first-line advice targeting needs and supporting EU SMEs in their decision making with regard to China IPR matters, according to a press release of the Helpdesk.

It will also offer support to those European SMEs already encountering issues of IPR enforcement in China by providing practical on-the-ground orientation, and provide a common-sense step-by-step guide to IPR.

The Helpdesk will also enhance dialogue and cooperation with China given the strong links that will be forged with Chinese IPR protection and enforcement bodies.

The Helpdesk also complements existing EU-China joint initiatives on IPR, in particular the EU-China Project on the Protection of Intellectual Property Rights -- "IPR 2", according to the press release.

Deputy head of the EC delegation in Beijing Michael Pulch and officials of the DG Enterprise and Industry of the EC attended the launching ceremony.

(Xinhua News Agency May 8, 2008)