China holds 4th IPR exchange in US

Chinese and US specialists exchange ideas on intellectual property right (IPR) protection during an event held in Washington, DC on Sept 12, 2014. At the event, Chinese officials introduced the country's recent achievements in improving its IPR system, including the amending of the Trade Mark Law and Copyright Law, and the efforts to establish specialized IPR courts in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. (Xinhua/Bao Dandan)

Chinese and US specialists reached broad consensus on intellectual property right (IPR) protection at an event held in Washington, DC on Friday.

"This is the fourth time that Chinese government held IPR overseas exchange. It shows China has paid great attention toward the IPR exchange with the United States," said Chen Fuli, IPR Attache and Counselor from Chinese Embassy to the US.

At the event, Chinese officials introduced the country's recent achievements in improving its IPR system, including the amending of Trade Mark Law and Copyright Law, and the efforts to establish specialized IPR courts in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.

Chen said China is open toward exchanges and cooperation with the United States and other countries on IPR.

According to the counselor, China is improving its legal system and the rule of law has become a principle for companies settling IPR issues.

The US also attaches great importance toward exchanges between the two countries on IPR issues, and appreciates the achievements that Chinese government has made in recent years on IPR protection in terms of system and policy, said Mark Cohen, a senior advisor for the US patent and trademark office, an agency of US Commerce Department.

Cohen said the US will enhance its exchanges with China through established platforms so as to create a fair business environment for companies.

"Cooperation and exchanges are important," said an official with China's National Copyright Administration, citing cases of bilateral cooperation.

Early this year, the license of value-added telecom service of Chinese video sharing site QVOD was revoked over copyright infringement, after the Motion Picture Association of America sued the company in damages for copyright violation. The official said China welcomes right holders to provide clues for IPR infringements.

China's Ministry of Commerce has been holding the IPR exchange annually since 2011, in a bid to increase foreign countries' understanding of China's IPR system and push forward international cooperation on IPR.