Relying on Chinese Intellectual Property: How Foreign Companies can learn from China’s Past, Present, and Future with Intellectual Property, Beijing, September 7th

The Chinese Government is often maligned for China’s IP regime that is often cited as being weak on enforcement, lacking transparency, and being subject to local protectionism. In short, some foreign IP rights holders believe that the Chinese government just doesn’t ‘get it’. These opinions are understandable if an assessment of China’s IP regime is based on a handful of cases and experiences. However, if one takes a broader view of the Chinese Government’s approach to IP, a different conclusion may be drawn – the Chinese Government does ‘get it’.

In particular, the Chinese Government is of the view that a strong IP regime is necessary for its future economic independence. With this view, the Chinese Government will commit over 600 billion dollars in the next 5 years, with a focus on Strategic Emerging Industries and the further development of China’s thriving IP system.

While foreign companies have historically held the view that managing their IP in China is a shell-game with more problems then solutions, history would suggest that this is simply wrong. By failing to appreciate the importance that the Chinese Government attaches to intellectual property, foreign companies will inevitably fail to fully capitalize on their IP assets both in China and globally.

This presentation will provide attendees with a review of China’s IP past and present with a view to China’s future for IP, and how foreign companies can Chart their commercial strategy for China and internationally.

About the Speaker

George Chan is a consultant for Rouse in their Beijing office and advises foreign clients on IP matters in China and Asia Pacific; these matters include IP strategy, trade marks, patents, trade secrets, domain names, anti-counterfeiting and enforcement.

George is named in the 2010 edition of the Legal 500 Asia Pacific as a recommended advisor on China IP matters. In addition to his responsibilities to his clients at Rouse, George is also a regular contributor to international intellectual property journals, for which he provides articles and commentary on the state of Chinese intellectual property law.

Prior to joining Rouse he was a partner at a Chinese IP boutique firm where he performed a similar role. Before choosing a career devoted to intellectual property law, George was a medical researcher and had received numerous international awards for his work in stem cell biology and osteoporosis.