Successful co-operation between EU and China to protect intellectual property

Tuesday, September 13, the European-Chinese project (IPR2) for the protection of intellectual property rights ended in Brussels. During the IPR2 project, over 200 technical assistance and training activities were implemented in China.

The IPR2 project was a success and is an important step for further co-operation between the parties concerned. The project started in 2007 and ended last week. More than 1,200 documents and information tools, and more than 50 publications of leading European and Chinese experts generated under the IPR2 project were handed over to the European and Chinese authorities at the end of the project in Brussels.

The goal of the project was to improve the reliability, efficiency and accessibility of the Chinese IP enforcement system by creating a sustainable environment for the effective enforcement of intellectual property rights. According to the parties, this goal is achieved.

However, China’s reputation in the field of intellectual property protection isn’t good. Tonnes of pirated goods were confiscated this year and even entire stores like IKEA and Apple Store were imitated. To top it all off, even a fake Disneyland theme park was built. Now, at least this IPR2 initiative shows China has taken serious steps to improve its bad reputation. The successful project is especially important for trade matters.

Due to the success of the new approach to the fight against counterfeiting, the government announced to continue seizing counterfeited goods between September and December this year.

Read more on the Chinese battle against couterfeiting on FutureofCopyright.com:

• Microsoft appalled by software piracy in China
• China steps up IP protection, but still a long way to go
• Chinese govt. maintains strict approach to piracy and counterfeited goods

Reference: EPO.org

By: Karen Groen