How “The World’s Factory” Protects Your Intellectual Property
Tackling misconceptions about IP laws and protection in China could fill its own book. Below are just a few assumptions that bear correcting.
China files more international patent applications than any other country. In 2019, it filed twice as many as the runner-up, the U.S. (1,400,661 vs 621,453 applications, respectively) and over 40 percent of the world’s share.
“…there is a strategic vision and leadership from the top in China. This concerns building scientific capacity and innovation, which means new products, services or technology entering the economy and intellectual property, whose role is to protect the competitive advantage that is given by that innovation.”
– Francis Gurry, Director General World intellectual Property Organisation
China is one of few countries to have specifically included software under their copyright protection laws. In addition, it allows for the patenting of certain software and biotechnology that are not covered by patent laws in the EU or US.
China has established courts with special jurisdiction over cases involving IP. In addition to the three IP courts in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guanzhou, it has set up IP tribunals in cities and municipalities across the country.
While it is true that in the past damages were negligible (as little as $4,000 including legal fees), this amount has skyrocketed. Since 2018, the range for statutory damages runs between $155,000 and $775,000.
To the contrary, foreign firms win a majority of infringement cases in civil courts. They also tend to receive more in damages.
Granting patents in China is faster and easier than in the US or the EU and “invention patent examination appears to be of higher quality in China than in some national offices in Europe.”
China’s IP protection laws are newer than those of other strong economies; its system for IP protection started in the late 1970s. However, since then the system has evolved “at a speed unmatched in the history of intellectual property protection.”(source)
In June 1980, China became a member state of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). This was followed by a quick succession of IP law adoption that conformed with world standards and participation in numerous global conventions. To ensure the population’s understanding of these new laws, the government has conducted numerous public education programs and professional trainings. In addition, in 2018, the government released its blueprint for “the foundation of a modern, authoritative, optimally resourced and highly efficient IP judicial system” to keep pace with, if not lead the world in IP protection.
China’s clear commitment has paid off. In spite of lingering misconceptions, a survey on the quality of the Republic’s investment environment reflects dramatic changes in how risk is perceived. Today, China has the greatest number of ISO 27001 certificates in the world, over ten times more than the US. AmCham China members who believe things are improving doubled from 24 percent in 2016 to 50 percent in 2020. Conversely, those who say it is deteriorating has drastically shrunk from 31 percent 5 years ago, to only 12 percent in last year’s survey.
The laws to protect your IP exist and are stringently enforced in China, so don’t let old misgivings prevent you from accessing the benefits of a global supply chain that includes “The World’s Factory.” Just make sure you partner with a CM who not only conforms to global standards (again, ISO 27001 is a great indicator), but also possesses all the local knowledge and networks essential to getting the protection you are entitled to under the law.
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