Chinese Intellectual Property Law And Practice

This is one in a series of country reports on the intellectual property systems of Asia. The authors and editors note the difficulty of obtaining authentic source material, but nevertheless provide as comprehensive a view of China's intellectual property protection as possible.

Intellectual property law and practice in China has changed dramatically since the first edition of this influential book published in 2005. Today, judicial and administrative application of law plays a major role, and accordingly this entirely rewritten new edition draws on an abundance of court and administrative decisions clarifying how the law is applied. In a thorough and systematic manner, the authors clearly demonstrate the sophisticated level of legal certainty available for domestic and foreign entities doing business in China, including the adaptation of the legal framework to new technologies, broadened scope of protected subject matter, improved quality of filings, and significant enhancement of enforcement not only with regard to remedies but also to procedural aspects. Providing comprehensive coverage of all aspects of intellectual property protection in China – including analysis of IP-related provisions of China’s new Civil Code – the book emphasizes issues of concern to foreign traders and investors such as the following: copyright law and software protection; protection of trademarks, including Chinese character and Roman script trademarks, well-known marks and bad faith applications; technology transfer; enforcement of trade secret and patent protection; criminal liability for infringement; unfair competition and antitrust law; role of the binding interpretations of the Supreme People’s Court; administrative regulations that supplement the laws; co-operation with administrative authorities; protection of geographical indications; protection of trade names; domain name dispute resolution; special patent-related laws protecting such areas as plant varieties, integrated circuit layout designs,; and relevant provisions of the distinct laws of Hong Kong and Macao. Full descriptions of the competencies of China’s IP-related institutions are included with detailed attention to procedural matters. Brief historical notes in each chapter feature the most significant changes in each amendment of law and regulation. Because in China the laws are supplemented and interpreted by numerous guidelines and circulars issued by ministries or courts, the up-to-date knowledge and awareness provided in this new edition is essential for all companies investing in China or considering such investment, as well as for practitioners counselling their clients on strategies. In addition, officials and policymakers involved in trade or other relations with China will benefit from a comprehensive update of what the current law is and a critical view of what the challenges are. “...the 2021 IPLCN is a recommended read for those who seek a well-written English textbook which covers the main principles of Chinese IP Law. Clearly outlined, it is probably one of the best of its kind on the market. Its existence is welcome and necessary in the current era, where languages are still obstacles.” By Tian Lu, Book Review for The IP Kitten, September 2021.

"The book covers every step a company's counsel or patent agent needs to take, from registration of rights to invoking the effective enforcement methods now in place under Chinese law, in order to ensure effective protection of copyright, patents, trademarks, trade names, trade secrets, and licensing arrangements in China. Written by a panel of active Chinese trade authorities - including practicing lawyers and academic specialists - the book shows how to: transfer intellectual property when investing in China; license products and services successfully in China; challenge unfair trade activities successfully via the US International Trade Commission and other non-Chinese authorities; use Chinese media and communications to foster good, undermine piracy, and secure enforcement; use Chinese government administrative authorities to assist in protecting IP rights; combat creative theft of IP rights, especially on the Internet; evaluate the efficacy of a factory raid." -- BACK COVER.

The rapid evolution of China from an emerging to a mature intellectual property jurisdiction has far-reaching implications for the law, policy and practice of IP, and their links with competition and technology law. Produced in the year China rose to fourth rank globally as user of the international patent system, this volume is an invaluable guide for the policymaker, the analyst and the practitioner alike, setting a thorough exposition of the substantive law and its application within a broader policy context, and offering a comprehensive, timely overview of an IP system just at the time it begins to assume central significance on the world stage. Antony Taubman, Director, IP Division, WTO This edited volume offers an excellent comprehensive overview of China s intellectual property and technology laws. The eminent contributors to this volume have played important roles in shaping China s IP system and in tackling the many challenges confronting it. By making their views of the system readily accessible to an English audience, this volume will undoubtedly add to our understanding of the legal protections and challenges facing innovation industries in China. Mark Wu, Harvard Law School, US The pioneering studies in this book examine the fundamental role of intellectual property and technology laws as China is moving from made in China to created in China . This book also helps us to understand about the interplay between China s intellectual property protection system and the potential for transition of China s economy, and provides numerous means to deal with the legislative difficulties in China s innovation-oriented strategy. Wu Handong, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, China Written by some of China s leading academic experts and with a foreword by the former Chief Justice of the IP Tribunal of China s Supreme People s Court, this book combines for the very first time a review of both Chinese intellectual property and technology laws in a single volume in English. The book initially focuses on recent amendments to the laws of copyright, trademarks, patents, before moving on to discuss unfair competition and trade secrets, and the protection of intellectual property over electronic networks. Other chapters cover the regulation of digital networks and telecommunications; IT and E-commerce; the new antimonopoly law and competition; and China s position on the TRIPS agreement. Of special note is a chapter written by in-house Counsel and the Chairman of the Quality Brands Protection Committee (a coalition of well known multinational brands) reviewing both brand protection and practical enforcement of intellectual property in China. This book will appeal to scholars and postgraduate students in commercial law (especially in IP, trade, competition, and technology), Chinese studies and business, as well as regulators, international agencies and law firms. Management consultancy and accounting firms, banks and investment firms will also find this book invaluable.

Intellectual property law and practice in China has changed dramatically since the first edition of this influential book published in 2005. Today, judicial and administrative application of law plays a major role, and accordingly this entirely rewritten new edition draws on an abundance of court and administrative decisions clarifying how the law is applied. In a thorough and systematic manner, the authors clearly demonstrate the sophisticated level of legal certainty available for domestic and foreign entities doing business in China, including the adaptation of the legal framework to new technologies, broadened scope of protected subject matter, improved quality of filings, and significant enhancement of enforcement not only with regard to remedies but also to procedural aspects. Providing comprehensive coverage of all aspects of intellectual property protection in China - including analysis of IP-related provisions of China's new Civil Code - the book emphasizes issues of concern to foreign traders and investors such as the following: copyright law and software protection; protection of trademarks, including Chinese character and Roman script trademarks, well-known marks and bad faith applications; technology transfer; enforcement of trade secret and patent protection; criminal liability for infringement; unfair competition and antitrust law; role of the binding interpretations of the Supreme People's Court; administrative regulations that supplement the laws; co-operation with administrative authorities; protection of geographical indications; protection of trade names; domain name dispute resolution; special patent-related laws protecting such areas as plant varieties, integrated circuit layout designs; and relevant provisions of the distinct laws of Hong Kong and Macao. Full descriptions of the competencies of China's IP-related institutions are included with detailed attention to procedural matters. Brief historical notes in each chapter feature the most significant changes in each amendment of law and regulation. Because in China the laws are supplemented and interpreted by numerous guidelines and circulars issued by ministries or courts, the up-to-date knowledge and awareness provided in this new edition is essential for all companies investing in China or considering such investment, as well as for practitioners counselling their clients on strategies. In addition, officials and policymakers involved in trade or other relations with China will benefit from a comprehensive update of what the current law is and a critical view of what the challenges are.

This book offers a guide to intellectual property law in the People’s Republic of China. It simplifies the complex and rather atypical judicial system and uses practical cases to demonstrate how Chinese IP law really works. The IP system is evolving rapidly in China, with the adoption of numerous new laws and regulations, more sophisticated and detailed than their predecessors. As such the book provides an up-to-date overview of the field, including legal protection and tax assessment practices in China, focusing especially on matters regarding trademark, patent and copyright law and its protection. It also covers Chinese IP in the international context, discussing all the relevant international organizations and treaties. Furthermore, by presenting the right mix of practice and theory, and examining the best-known IP infringement cases in China, it allows readers to gain an understanding of potential IP infringement risks and ways to protect their own legal rights and interests. In addition, it provides insights into the important area of valorization and fiscal management of IP in China. Based on written law and regulations as well as the authors’ expertise, it is a valuable resource for foreign lawyers and foreign companies alike.

Intellectual property law--what it is, and how it is implemented and enforced in China--is a topic of critical importance for both foreign and Chinese companies. Intellectual Property Law of China provides an up-to-date summary of the law of intellectual property in today's China. Each of the chapters contained in this book deals with a selected topic and is authored by a leading expert in the field. The essays provide a "short course" on intellectual property law in China, dealing not only with the "black letter" law and legislation, but also with practical issues. This book is a necessary resource for IP practitioners and in-house counsel as well as business managers operating in China's increasingly regulated and complex business environment.

This sweeping study examines the law of intellectual property in Chinese civilization from imperial days to the present. It uses materials drawn from law, the arts and other fields as well as extensive interviews with Chinese and foreign officials, business people, lawyers, and perpetrators and victims of "piracy."