The Chinese government has worked out a plan aimed at intensifying the nation's efforts to protect intellectual property rights (IPR) in 2006.

The Ministry of Commerce said Wednesday on its website the plan formulated by the National Protecting IPR Working Group in cooperation with other departments will be of great significance to guide the country's IPR protection effort.

The plan covers trademarks, copyrights, patents and the import and export sectors and includes measures like protecting IPR by the ministries of public security, information industry and culture, as well as the General Administration of Customs, Copyright Bureau and other departments.

In accordance with the plan, China will draft, stipulate and revise 17 laws and regulations concerning trademarks, copyrights, patents and customs in 2006.

China will also adopt a series of measures to increase public awareness about protecting IPR and will conduct international exchanges and cooperation to this end.

(Xinhua News Agency March 9, 2006)