The Chinese government has launched a campaign to improve awareness of intellectual property (IP) protection at expositions.

 

Shang Ming, head of the regulations and decrees division of the Ministry of Commerce, said the ministry hoped to reduce cases of IP infringement through a nationwide drive known as "Blue Sky Expo".

 

Shang revealed the plan at the 99th China Export Commodity Fair that opened Saturday in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong Province.

 

Officials from five government bodies, including the Ministry of Commerce, the National Copyright Administration and the State Intellectual Property Office, will conduct spot checks at 20 major governmental and commercial expos held before April next year.

 

Campaigns on public awareness of trademark and patent rights and copyright were also underway, said Shang.

 

The Chinese Export Commodity Fair, a biannual event launched in 1957, consists of two phases: manufactured goods, textiles and garments, foodstuffs and medicines in the first phase; and souvenirs, gifts and household commodities in the second.

 

The 99th fair, with 30,058 booths, has attracted 13,686 exhibitors, an increase of 1,031 over last year. The first phase will run from April 15 to 20 and the second from April 25 to 30.

 

It is estimated 450,000 people will attend.

 

(Xinhua News Agency April 16, 2006)