China-U.S. task forces to gather for IPR discussions

Intellectual property rights (IPR) disputes in China have increased in recent years. The country is set to send out a ministry-level task force to the US, together with civil leading companies.

This month, they will hold IPR forums and seminars, providing a stage for both sides to review accomplishments and plan their next step in IPR protection.

Chinas Supreme People's Court said the number of IPR cases marked a 42 percent rise year on year in 2011, which put the total value of disputed intellectual property at almost 8 billion yuan. Many of the most famously disputed cases are between China and US companies on patent and trademark issues.

In order to tend to the growing number of IPR issues, a task force from 10 ministries and 9 companies will head to Washington DC, Los Angeles, and Salt Lake city in mid-September for talks with their American counterparts.

Yang Guohua, Deputy Director-Gen. of Ministry of Commerce said, "It's an opportunity for governments and companies to sit down and discuss the disputes. This time we have several goals related to IPR protection. These include: the amendment of patent and trademark laws and software, preferential policies for small and medium sized enterprises, renovation, law enforcement strategy, and discussions on business issues."

An overseas IPR center has been established in the US to facilitate and regulate Chinese companies run abroad.

Yang Guohua said, "With regards to the IPR issues that the US has focused on, we have basically no difference of opinion. We need to work together. For example, the transnational Internet or online IPR protection is a rising problem. With its main engine in America or other countries, a website could sell illegal intellectual products to any places on the world. Tracking them down requires cooperation between host and receiving countries."

China has 4 laws and 19 regulations related to IPR protection, patents, trademarks and related fields. But many say it may be time to revamp the level of implementation.

Intellectual property rights have been a disputed issue in China for decades, and it's gaining attention after a series of IPR dispute cases between China and US. As two of the biggest IPO countries, China and US need more cooperation and communication on the enforcement of IPR laws.