IPR enhanced along B&R routes, easing patent filing

China has established bilateral cooperation on intellectual property rights (IPRs) with about 40 countries participating in the Belt and Road initiative (B&R) over the past two years, China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) data shows.

According to an article recently published on the CNIPA website, since 2016 CNIPA has reached bilateral cooperation agreements with dozens of governments and related organizations, including members of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Eurasian Patent Organization.

In September 2017, China and Cambodia signed a memorandum of understanding on intellectual property cooperation, which allows Chinese patent holders to skip pat-

ent review procedures and directly apply to Cambodia's Ministry of Industry and Handicrafts. Once approved, they will obtain patent rights, and their patents will be valid and protected for 20 years, as they are in China, Xinhua News Agency reported in March.

The CNIPA signed a similar cooperation document with Laos, which provides that any patent granted by Chinese authorities will be valid in the Southeast Asian country, significantly reducing the time and cost of obtaining a patent in Laos for Chinese patent holders, read the CNIPA article.

The number of patent applications from Chinese filers increased by 16 percent, reaching 5,608 in countries along the B&R routes last year, whereas filers from B&R countries applied for 4,319 patents in China, up 16.8 percent yearon-year, according to the CNIPA.

Improved business environment

The productive outcomes over the past few years showcase not only China's firm commitment to improve legislation related to IPR protection at home, but also its active efforts in promoting joint development of B&R countries, especially in the high-tech and innovative industry sectors, said Zhang Jianping, an official from a research center under the Ministry of Commerce.

In recent years, China has organized a series of IP training sessions for 69 officials from about 30 countries to improve their ability in patent examinations, CGTN reported on Tuesday.

Zhang told the Global Times on Wednesday that the enhanced cooperation mechanism under the initiative allows B&R countries to grow and use their IPRs to promote innovation and the livelihood of people of all countries.

The overall improved awareness of IPR protection, driven by the bilateral and multiple cooperation mechanism, can create a more trustworthy image of B&R countries which are mostly developing nations, Liang Haiming, chairman of the Shenzhen-based China Silk Road iValley Research Institute, told the Global Times on Wednesday.

Liang also said that this will also help them better integrate into world markets, giving their indigenous companies more opportunities around the globe.

B&R trade tops $1 trillion

Based on the idea of "inclusiveness, development, cooperation and mutual benefit," a highlevel conference on intellectual property brought representatives from B&R countries to Beijing on Tuesday, with the goal of enhancing multilateral cooperation and seeking solutions to current challenges.

Participants discussed new trends in intellectual property development, IP commercialization, and improvements to related laws and protection of traditional heritage.