Protection Of Intellectual Property In China

Article by John Orange & Sean Zhang, ©2006 Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

John Orange and Sean Zhang visited China recently to assess the IP landscape. In this article, they provide a brief update of what is happening in China and how our clients may take advantage of the recent changes in China in formulating their global IP strategies.

The protection of intellectual property (IP) rights is crucial to the success of many foreign investors and enterprises who wish to profit from China’s fast growing market. Effective protection of IP in China has always been a concern to foreign investors. As many foreign investors have discovered, counterfeiting, passing off and other forms of IP infringement are common in China. At the same time, Chinese companies are investing heavily in sophisticated technology and require an effective IP system to protect their own investment.