Major acts in recent days (07-11-26)

International cooperation

The Ministry of Science and Technology and the National Development and Reform Commission on November 12 began an international cooperation program on renewable energy and new energy, and listed intellectual property (IP) right protection as one of its five principles.

The program is designed to increase international cooperation on the development and use of renewable and new energy sources including solar, wind, bio-fuels, thermal, ocean and hydrogen, and gas-water compounds.

The partnership aims to be mutually beneficial by sharing of advanced technologies, integrating resources and through technological innovation.

SIPO-EC meeting

Tian Lipu, commissioner of the State Intellectual Property Office (SIPO), said at a meeting with the European Commission's Director General for External Trade David O'Sullivan that China has been highly attentive to the issue of IP protection and has increased its law enforcement efforts.

He said on November 14 in Beijing that China has learned and wants to continue to learn from the European Union (EU) and its member states on the creation, use and administration of intellectual property rights, so he hopes EU will continue to offer its support and help to China.

O'Sullivan also agreed to promote a deeper relationship on IP work between EU and China.

On November 15, Tian also met Joerg Wuttke, chairman of the EU Chamber of Commerce in China and welcomed foreign companies in China to raise their suggestions on revision of the patent law.

China Patent Week

The first China Patent Week began on November 16 in Beijing, as activities began in 20 provincial regions, to promote exchange of patents.

Zhang Qin, vice-commissioner of the SIPO, said at the opening that the patent week aims to accelerate the utilization and industrialization of patents in the country and that the event will be held annually.

Participating regions have begun trade activities to bridge research institutes, universities, individuals and enterprises.

In the first half of the year, almost 270,000 patents were filed, a growth of 7.3 percent, yet most of them are idle.

Inner Mongolia trademarks

The administration for industry and commerce of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region has granted well-known trademark status to 56 enterprises, bringing the number of well-known trademarks in the region to 182.

Brands have played a significant role in the economic development in the region, with many brands even becoming known globally.

Three local brands - Yubiao goose, Balin jade and the Yili dairy - became national well-known brands this year.

Henan online learning

The first sub-branch for a distance IP learning program started operation in Henan Province on November 7, with Guo Minsheng, director of the provincial intellectual property office, signing up as the first online user.

The national IP distance learning initiative is a key information project of SIPO to spread IP knowledge among local officials, professionals and university students.

In the past five years, more than 24,000 people have taken eight courses offered over the Internet.

SIPO's training center also worked together with four universities in Beijing, Shanghai, Wuhan and Xi'an to provide online courses on IP knowledge to more than 7,300 students.

Wangzhihe wins lawsuit

Chinese traditional food company Wangzhihe won a lawsuit over its trademark in Germany on December 14.

The trademark was registered in March 2006 by a German company called OKAI, founded by Chinese-German residents, that distributes some famous Chinese food brands.

In July 2006, Wangzhihe sued OKAI in a Munich court for infringement of its trademark and unfair competition. The court began to hear the case in August and ruled on November 14.

Five other Chinese companies, whose trademarks were also registered by OKAI, also plan to bring the company to court.

English textbook suits

Julia B Alexander, widow of L G Alexander, author of the popular English textbook New Concept English, has sued Chinese education group New Oriental and one of its subsidiaries in a Beijing court for alledged infringement on her husband's copyrights, the Beijing Evening News reported on November 16.

The plaintiff claims New Oriental and its subsidiary used the content of the textbook in online course materials.

Alexander asked 1 million yuan in compensation. She has also sued Dell English, a training institute in China, for alledged infringements of copyrights of the textbook.

She also filed suit against seven Chinese publishers last year, but rulings have yet to be made.

Chaoyang, Am-Cham effort

Top officials of People's Government of Beijing's Chaoyang District (PGBCD) and the American Chamber of Commerce in China (AmCham-China) announced last week they will continue their cooperation in fighting counterfeiters and increase the awareness of intellectual property right (IPR) protection in China.

"We will continue our efforts to educate the public on IPR protection and I also hope to see cooperation flourish in other parts of the country," says Michael Barbalas, president of AmCham-China.

Last year, PGBCD and AmCham-China jointly established "Chaoyang Model Anti-Copyright Infringement and Piracy-Free Zone" project, in which the two parties have joint initiatives such as developing sales channels for legitimate products and enhancing coordination among law enforcement bodies.