SIPA enhances IP protection for CIIE

With the second China International Import Expo (CIIE) around the corner, Shanghai Intellectual Property Administration (SIPA) is doing its best to enhance IP protection for the world-class expo.

According to Rui Wenbiao, director-general of SIPA, after the institutional reform of the administration, a new IP protection office was created to take charge of CIEE's IP protection and service work.

In addition, an IP protection and service center has been set up at CIIE's expo venue to accept consultations on IP issues from exhibitors, with a priority patent examination channel for foreign exhibitors.

The large number of consultations before the opening of the expo is, according to officials, just the "tip of the iceberg" for Shanghai to consolidate its IP work of recent years.

Shanghai has adjusted the direction of patent funding, giving full support to invention patents and Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) patents, through which enterprises are encouraged to apply for patents of higher value.

What's more, on Oct 21, Shanghai for the first time issued the Shanghai Intellectual Property Innovation Award, which showcased some of Shanghai's successful cases in IP creation, protection and application.

Francis Gurry, director-general of the World Intellectual Property Organization, said at the awards ceremony that last year, when he came to Shanghai for the first CIIE, he mentioned that China had the world's fastest growth rate of international trademark registration. And this year, he was still stunned by "China's speed".