China's 128th Canton Fair Puts Major Focus on Intellectual Property Rights Protection

GUANGZHOU,China,Oct. 16,2020 -- Using an "online plus offline" complaints handling process,the ongoing 128th China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair) has introduced a dedicated intellectual property rights (IPR) protection and trade dispute settlement platform to ensure a fair trade environment for all participants.

128th Canton Fair Highlights Intellectual Property Right Protection

Alongside an overhaul of the Fair's official website,a comprehensive online complaint filing system has been built where registered visitors can submit complaints,appeals,defence and withdrawal applications of suspected IPR infringements online. From there,officials from government IPR departments will work as experts at the Complaint Station,together with Fair organizers,they will investigate and settle complaints about alleged infringement of IPR in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Fair.

"The Canton Fair has been actively exploring a complete IPR and trade dispute settlement mechanism to improve public awareness to the IPR," said Quandong Liu,Deputy Director General of Foreign Affairs Office of Canton Fair,"The online platform offers reliable protection to enterprises. We encourage companies to innovate based on IPR and therefore to create an impartial trade environment."

Find more information at https://www.cantonfair.org.cn/en/service/complaint or visit https://buyer.cantonfair.org.cn/en/register/selectiveIdfor moreopportunities.

Canton Fair Launches Measures to Protect IPR

The Canton Fair is determined to provide technical support to protect company intellectual property rights by establishing an IPR protection mechanism. Exhibitors can elect to put up a 'technical barrier' to protect their IPR by hand-picking visitors and potential buyers who browse their products and enter live stream showrooms through a technical filter.

To prevent infringement,trading delegations,chambers of commerce and associations are required to check,before and during the Fair,their respective exhibits,the packaging of these exhibits,promotional materials and any additional content to be on show.

In addition,exhibitors who hold the IPR or authorization can upload corresponding supporting documents,such as patent certificates,trademark registration certificates and voluntary copyright registration certificates through the Canton Fair's official website for verification,and as something to use in response to any charges or appeals.

IPR Measures Protect Brand Interests

The Canton Fair IPR complaint settlement system is part of China's commitment to encouraging innovation through IPR protection and in collaboration with legal efforts,has also brought confidence to global buyers looking to do business with China.

Vlady Cornateanu,President and CEO of Addiction,noted that the special system has enabled safe trade for all parties; exhibitors pay more attention to their IPR,and buyers have more trust in Chinese companies.

"The Fair will continue to strengthen the protection of IP rights and stabilize the quality of foreign trade. Only by protecting IP rights we canencourage more Chinese foreign trade enterprises to foster new competitiveness through innovation and introduce more advanced technologies and products to enter the Chinese market from foreign countries," Liu added.