Qingdao FTZ builds legal system targeting IPR protection

On the occasion of the 23rd World Intellectual Property Day, a themed event on optimizing the business environment through IP protection and the launch ceremony of the Intellectual Property Legal Protection System under the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) were held in the Qingdao area of the China (Shandong) Pilot Free Trade Zone on April 25.

To enhance higher-level opening-up, the Qingdao FTZ has released the legal protection system to help enterprises seize the opportunities under RCEP, protect and utilize IP, expand international markets, prevent foreign-related IP risks, as well as achieve high-quality development.

As a key initiative to implement the national strategies under the RCEP, the legal system strives to offer efficient IP services for enterprises involved in trade and investment activities while opening up broader prospects. It not only caters to the demand for IP protection by innovative entities, but also helps enterprises better adapt to the development needs of new technologies, fields, and business models.

The Qingdao FTZ, an experimental zone for China's reform and opening-up, houses high-tech enterprises in fields like intelligent manufacturing, genetic technology, port logistics, and integrated circuits. A large number of companies have owned independent IPR in key areas, leading to increasingly strong demands for IP protection.

The Qingdao FTZ leverages IP to facilitate industrial innovation. As of the end of December 2022, the zone had received a total of 1,543 effective invention patent applications, as well as granted 1,186 authorized invention patents, 5,256 utility model patents, and 1,056 design patents.

Led by the management committee of the Qingdao FTZ and joined with other departments like Huangdao Customs, Qingdao Arbitration Commission, as well as the Huangdao district court, the legal system focuses on boosting the creation, utilization, protection, management, and service levels of IP in such aspects as regulations, compliance management, international cooperation, and industrial development.

"Enterprises are the main drivers of innovation and IPR protection is a vital part of creating a good business environment," said Ji Xiaolong, deputy director of the management committee of the Qingdao FTZ.

The Qingdao FTZ will adopt a global vision in terms of promoting technological innovation, adjust international rules and standards related to IPR according to local conditions, improve the risk warning and response mechanisms for IPR, as well as cultivate a group of leading innovative enterprises, he added.