China Emphasizes Intellectual Property Protection to Fuel Innovation
BEIJING -China is doubling down on its commitment to intellectual property (IP) protection, recognizingit as a crucial driver for innovation and a key factor in its quest for global competitiveness. This emphasis is reflected in a recent commentary published by the China Economic Review, which argues that safeguarding IP rights is tantamount to safeguarding innovation itself.
The commentary, penned by Zang Mengya, a commentator for the China Economic Net, highlights the growing societal consensus on the importance of respecting and protecting IP. It asserts that robust IP protection is essential for China to excel in the global arena, fostering a healthy and orderly development across all sectors and injecting fresh impetus into reform andinnovation.
China’s commitment to IP protection is evident in its rapidly expanding IP landscape. The number of domestic trademark registrations reached a new high of 45.909 million by June 2024, while thecountry has consistently ranked first in the world for international patent applications filed through the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) for four consecutive years. These achievements solidify China’s position as a leading force in the global IP arena.
The government has taken a proactive approach to strengthening IP protection, implementing comprehensive reforms and issuing key policy documents. The Outline for Building a Strong Intellectual Property Country (2021-2035), the Special Action Plan for Patent Transformation and Application (2023-2025), and the Implementation Plan for the Construction of the Intellectual Property Protection System are among the significant initiatives aimedat bolstering the IP framework.
The recent decision by the Communist Party of China Central Committee to establish an efficient comprehensive IP management system further underscores the government’s determination to enhance IP protection and utilization.
Beyond national-level initiatives, local governments are actively pursuing IP protection measures. Jiangsu province, for instance,is spearheading the development of three national IP protection demonstration zones in Nanjing, Suzhou, and Nantong, focusing on strengthening source protection and cultivating strong enterprises. Shanxi province has launched a dedicated action plan for patent transformation and application, resulting in the inventorying of 14,000 patents from universities andresearch institutions. The province also witnessed a 40.7% year-on-year increase in patent transfers and licensing during the first half of 2024, reaching 3,538 cases.
Despite these advancements, challenges remain. IP infringement remains prevalent, particularly with the rapid development ofgenerative AI technologies. While AI offers immense potential for various industries, it also poses significant risks of infringement, including privacy violations through AI face-swapping and AI voice-changing, and copyright disputes arising from AI-generated content.
The commentary underscores the need to address the persistent issue of easy infringement, difficult litigation. The enforcement of online infringement remains a concern, with platforms often witnessing the resurgence of pirated games, audio-visual products, and other infringing materials after initial complaints. This situation discourages businesses from investing in innovation and creativity.
To address these concerns, the commentary calls for further strengthening IP protection andutilization, intensifying penalties for IP infringement, and enhancing public IP services. It emphasizes that the pursuit of robust IP protection should not be solely driven by numerical targets but should focus on stimulating innovation, promoting high-level opening-up, and effectively supporting the construction of a high-standard market system.
The commentary concludesby reiterating the fundamental principle that protecting IP is synonymous with protecting innovation. As China strives to become a global leader in innovation, its commitment to fostering a robust and reliable IP ecosystem will be crucial in unleashing the full potential of its creative minds and driving its economic growth.
【来源】http://www.chinanews.com/cj/2024/08-25/10274328.shtml
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