On November 6, the Hongqiao Parallel Session of International Cooperation in Protecting IPR and Fighting Against IPR Infringement and Counterfeiting of the 6th China International Import Expo was held at National Exhibition and Convention Center Shanghai. The forum was co-hosted by Ministry of Commerce, State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), the Office of the National Leading Group on Coordinated Implementation of Building a Quality-powered Nation, and World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). The co-organizers included Shanghai Municipal Administration for Market Regulation, China Association of Enterprises with Foreign Investment (CAEFI) and Development Research Center of SAMR. Quality Brand Protection Committee (QBPC) of CAEFI participated in the organization and preparation of the event. More than 300 people including leaders and officials from relevant ministries, administrations for market regulation, foreign embassies and consulates, as well as experts, scholars, representatives from industry associations and QBPC members attended the meeting.
The forum focused on international cooperation in protecting IPR and fighting against IPR Infringement and Counterfeiting. Tian Shihong, Vice Minister of SAMR and Administrator of the Standardization Administration, presented opening remarks. Edward Kwakwa, Assistant Director General of WIPO, sent a congratulatory letter. Chen Jie, Vice Mayor of Shanghai Municipal People’s Government, Adam Williams, Chief Executive and Comptroller-General of the UK Intellectual Property Office, and Tran Huu Linh, Director General of Vietnam Directorate of Market Surveillance of Ministry of Industry and Trade, delivered keynote speeches.
At the forum, focusing on the three topics of International Cooperation, Enhancing Protection and Joint Governance, diplomats of U.S. Embassy and the Embassy of Denmark, representatives from International Trademark Association (INTA) and European Union Chamber of Commerce in China made speeches. Related officials from the Supreme People’s Procuratorate, National Intellectual Property Administration, General Administration of Customs and Vice Mayor of Hangzhou Municipal People’ s Government shared their insights. Representatives from related industry associations as well as domestic and foreign-invested enterprises exchanged their experience in protecting IPR and fighting against IPR infringement and counterfeiting. The event enabled the Chinese and foreign stakeholders to learn from each other, enhance mutual understanding and reach consensus so as to improve the global governance of IP protection.
Collaboration and innovation were the key words frequently mentioned. According to Michael Ding - QBPC Chair, it was the common goal of all stakeholders to continuously strengthen IPR protection, promote and protect innovation through cooperation and joint governance. As the representative of associations, Michael facilitated the panel discussion of “Joint Governance” and had in-depth discussion with senior leaders of brand owners and e-commerce platforms.
Michael Ding
