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Legal framework aids patent application China's legal framework on intellectual property rights (IPR) is being credited for the mushrooming growth in patent applications,according to the State Intellectual Property Office (SIPO). The past four years have seen 1 million patent applications lodged -- the same number tabled in the 15 years from 1985. "The rapid growth indicated that IPR protection awareness has greatly improved among the Chinese people," said SIPO commissioner Wang Jingchuan. SIPO received 308,487 patent applications in 2003 alone. In sharp contrast, 1985 saw only 14,372. Wang released the latest figures at a seminar Friday organized by his office and the National People's Congress to mark the 20th anniversary of the implementation of the Patent Law. To further facilitate the process, SIPO officially launched an Internet-based patent application system last week. This makes China one of the few advanced countries in the world, following Japan and the United States, to use electronic patent application. Patent applicants or agencies can log on the website www.cponline.gov.cn to start the application process. Wang Jingchuan said the Chinese Government is resolute in enforcing IPR protection in a bid to create a better environment for sustained economic development. He called on regional intellectual property administrations to pay special attention to safeguarding IPRs related to international co-operative programmes and Sino-foreign firms. China has seen a rising number of IPR disputes over the past two years, prompting the State Intellectual Property Office to team up with other government departments to jointly enhance IPR protection. Wang said the Chinese Government has already listed IPR protection as a key area for regulating the market economy. He said local protectionism still exists and has largely impaired the enthusiasm for innovation of researchers. China has also intensified its IPR judicial enforcement over the past couple of years. From January to November last year, courts across the country handled 5,750 IPR cases, up almost 25 per cent compared to the same period of 2002. Jiang Zhipei, with the Intellectual Property Tribunal of the Supreme People's Court, said China's courts have enhanced IPR enforcement since the country joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2001. Beijing and Shanghai set up special tribunals for IPR disputes as early as 1993. The Supreme People's Court set up the Intellectual Property Tribunal in 1996. To date, supreme courts in 31 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions have established IPR tribunals. "We have done much to bring the country closer to the requirements of the WTO," said Jiang. |
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