Last year, Expo organizers put forward an "action outline" for IPR issues related to the event, detailing steps to better protect exhibitors' IPR and intensify the crackdown on illegal activities.

"As part of our overall IPR protection strategy, we are adding details to the outline," he said. "IPR is the greatest concern of expo organizers."

Organizers of the Shanghai event have even promised exhibitors they would implement the same regulations to protect IPR as those used at previous expos. That's why visitors to the Shanghai World Expo will be barred from shooting photographs or videos in exhibition halls unless the exhibitors allow them to.

The organizers have invited some IPR protection experts from China's universities and government think tanks to provide consultation service. Other government agencies, including the Customs and the Shanghai Intellectual Property Administration, have vowed to coordinate with the organizers to safeguard IPR.

"We take the issue very seriously," Zhou said. For instance, IPR protection will be applied to Urban Best Practices Area, a zone set aside for cities from across the globe to showcase their way of life at the Shanghai World Expo.

"Although whatever will be shown in the area already exists, innovations will be involved and their IPR will be protected as well," he said.

Till date, 80 cities have submitted 108 cutting-edge architecture and design concepts, which will be short-listed to about 30 by a group of experts and shown at the expo.

(China Daily March 4, 2008)