What they say

The development of intellectual property in China over the past 30 years is as impressive as the country’s economic growth ... The effort to become the world’s major scientific and innovation center requires a shift of companies’ attention toward investments in basic research that can deliver innovative science and technology. As Chinese companies begin to innovate at more and more profitable levels, they find themselves needing to protect their own inventions against the predations of others.

Renata Righetti Pelosi, president of the International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property

Having an IP system that is developing as fast and to the magnitude of that in China is obviously not easy and comes with challenges. One of the issues is to maintain the balance between output (number of filings) and quality. In view of the strong economy in China, there is a huge demand for patents and trademarks. Another challenge is education for individuals and companies as to the role of IP. I believe every company should have a thorough understanding of what the end goals are of having IP rights and an IP portfolio.

Bastiaan Koster, former president of the Bureau of Federation of International IP Attorneys

IP violations must have tangible consequences for the infringer... No other country embraced the idea of IP protection and its importance for economic development so quickly and consequentially as China did. Of course, it takes time and effort to implement such a new concept and raise awareness for it across the country. Although China in recent years has intensified its fight against product piracy and counterfeit goods, to stop IP infringements remains a constant challenge in the future..

Beate Schmidt, president of the German Federal Patent Court