Chinese IPR needs a sure domestic touch
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Q: The total applications for trademark registration in China have reached 7.992 million. The number of registered trademarks is 5.285 million, and the number of effective trademarks is 4.275 million. These numbers are the highest in the world. How do you view the data?
Tian: China is certainly one of the countries that pays the most trademark fees, royalties, copyright fees and intellectual property fees in the world.
In other words, we have the world's largest trade deficit in intellectual property transactions.
For example, the equipment of many Guangdong enterprises is imported. Foreign companies sell their business model, and we pay very generously for intangible assets.
What is the problem behind this? When you contact the foreign political, business and media people, they all have the same tone. They ask us to protect their intellectual property rights, and choose not to mention the use of innovation. They say that they are in charge of innovation, brands and menus, and we should protect their innovation, produce the products and pay for the bills. It is completely aimed at maintaining the existing economic structure.
In fact, we accept their expression. To remove the word "protection" doesn't equal no protection. We mainly emphasize innovation and avoid the discourse traps of others.
Q: The Chinese government has decided to spend six months fighting against the infringement of intellectual property rights and the making and selling of counterfeit and shoddy products all over China. What do you think of this?
Tian: Media reports have talked about one innovation after another, but have not noticed the high risks of innovation.
There are a hundred failures behind one success. Without intellectual property protection, the innovator can get no return, to say nothing of covering the expected cost.
So, intellectual property rights involve both individuals and the country. IPR should be a part of national policy in order to make China really become an innovative nation. In fact, in the 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-15), strengthening China's intellectual property protection is seen as a key method for the transformation of China's economic development.
Q: What is China's next strategy for intellectual property?
Tian: There will be three phases. The strategic objectives for 2012, 2015 and 2020 have been established, and we aim at becoming an innovative country by 2020 at the latest.
The use of intellectual property rights is an important part of national innovation. Therefore, the implementation of patent strategy mainly lies in leadership and organizational work.
We should make full use of coordination mechanisms in implementing national IPR strategy, such as inter-ministerial joint conferences, provincial and ministerial negotiations, strengthening the coordination of the implementation of patent development strategy and promoting the introduction of relevant policies and measures.
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