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Vice premier hails new strategy on IPR protection

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-06-18 10:30

China's new strategy to tackle Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) issues will improve IPR protection in the country and attract greater intellectual resources from aboard, Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan has said in an article.

China unveiled an Outline of National Intellectual Property Rights on June 10, prior to this week's economic talks with the United States.

The implementation of the new strategy will boost innovation at home and turn China's abundant human resources into intellectual resources, Wang said in the article published in the Wall Street Journal on Tuesday.

"The implementation of the national IPR strategy will open a new chapter of IPR protection in China," Wang said.

China has acceded to relevant international conventions, established IPR management and protection regimes, set up the Legal Aid Center for IPR Enforcement and the Service Center for IPR Protection, punished various IPR violations according to law and protected the interests of IPR holders, Wang noted.

In recent years, China has intensified IPR protection, with nationwide campaigns launched every year since 2004.

"IPR protection in China has paid off," the Chinese vice premier said.

For example, the Xiangyang Street Market in Shanghai, which was known for selling replicas of branded products, has been closed down as required by law, while the Silk Street in Beijing, also known for its knock-offs, went through rectification and has since become a distribution center of famous brands.

Wang said China will improve its IPR regime in four ways: make timely revisions in IPR legislation; speed up the revision of laws and regulations on punishment for IPR infringement, and strengthen the systems of judicial protection and administrative law enforcement; properly define the scope of IPR to prevent their abuse, ensure the lawful rights and interests of the public; and launch extensive public educational programs on IPR protection.

While admitting that China still has a long way to go before it can catch up with the US in IPR generation, usage, protection and management, Wang expressed confidence that the full enforcement of China's national IPR strategy will result in more strict legal protection of IPR and greater respect for achievements in innovation.