The ITC As An Indicator Of China's Potential For Innovation

Article by Benjamin A. Keller , Charles H. Sanders and David Xue ¹

Previously published in Intellectual Property Today.

Introduction

"Core technology cannot be bought. Only by strong capacity of science and technological innovation, and by obtaining our own IP rights, can we promote [China's] competitiveness and ... win respect in the international society." - Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao

Since China "opened its doors" in 1979, its economy and importance in the world markets has grown at a nearly insatiable pace. As an economy that has been fueled primarily by export-dependent manufacturing, some have commented that at least a portion of China's economic success has come at the expense of U.S. patent rights. However, sustained innovation relies on the enforcement of intellectual property rights. Due to a series of recently enacted policies meant to increase domestic innovation, China thus stands at a crossroad.