China still failing to enforce intellectual property rights
Beijing (AsiaNews/SCMP) Mainland China has made marked progress in setting up the legal framework to protect intellectual property but has so far failed to significantly reduce counterfeiting and piracy, the sixth International Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Forum has been told.
According to Chris Israel, the US co-ordinator for international intellectual property enforcement, 69 per cent of fake goods seized by US customs came from China.
Hartmut Schauerte, a parliamentary state secretary in Germany's Ministry of Science and Technology, said 60 per cent of pirated goods in Europe come from China.
Vice-Premier Wu Yi said in a letter to the forum that China has committed "tremendous human and physical resources" but that "IPR protection will not only remain a long-term and arduous undertaking, but also face higher requirements, heavier tasks and greater difficulties."
China's State Council yesterday released a 19-point policy document on strengthening IPR protection in the next two years, vowing to hold local authorities accountable for IPR violations and reduce exports of pirated goods.
"Local protectionism has resulted in rampant piracy and counterfeiting," said Yan Xiaohong, deputy commissioner of the National Copyright Administration.
Jeremie Waterman, director of the Northeast Asian region at the US Chamber of Commerce, said despite examples of progress, Beijing has yet to show real achievements.
"If we insist on protecting IPR simply at the so-called proper level by our own standards, it would only result in self-isolation in the world and even self-elimination," said Wu Handong, president of the Zhongnan University of Economics and Law in Wuhan
For Professor Wu, the "Chinese people usually regard theft as a shameful offence, but do not see counterfeiting as a serious problem. That's why we cannot stop piracy and counterfeiting."
He noted the US, Europe and Japan had changed their attitudes towards China in dealing with IPR issues. "They recognise the Chinese government as a credible and responsible partner," he said.
In his recent visit to the United States, Chinese President Hu Jintao assured US President George W Bush that China would accelerate the crackdown on piracy.
In China every imaginable good is counterfeited, from chocolate to expensive sport cars. Last year the Shanghai Industry and Commerce Administration dealt with more than 600 cases of violations of foreign trademarks. The city is also planning to shut down the Xiangyang Market, which is known worldwide as a hotbed of pirated DVDs, watches, handbags and clothing.
In recent months local courts jailed and imposed heavy fines on people involved in piracy and counterfeiting. (PB)
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