Intellectual property in focus to assure traders

Intellectual property rights are among the most important intangible assets of foreign trade companies, insiders said, adding the ongoing 128th China Import and Export Fair has strengthened protection efforts.

The event, also known as the Canton Fair, which started on Oct 15 and will close on Oct 24, deals with IPR-related disputes by combining online and offline measures. While offering services relating to product design, trade support, finance and customs clearance, IPR protection is top on the agenda of event organizers.

For instance, the fair provides exhibitors and purchasers with multilevel training sessions to help them increase awareness in IPR protection.

Lu Qi, an executive from Anhui Light Industries International, said: “The 128th fair has comprehensively upgraded its work on IPR protection, which effectively guarantees exhibitors’ rights and interests and supports the organization of the online event.”

Wang Yu, assistant general manager at Shenzhen Power Solution Industry, agreed that the fair’s efforts to improve IPR protection can be seen in many details.

“If an exhibitor plans to launch a product to specific clients instead of the public, it can set authorized access for the clients to a specially designed livestreaming show on the cloud Canton Fair platform,” Wang said. He added that the cloud can offer authorized access for purchasers from specific regions abroad.

Wang said the measure is important for companies that are exhibiting new, confidential products.

The fair organizers’ efficiency in responding to and handling IPR-related complaints also impressed Wang. 

“If an exhibitor puts forward a complaint of infringement with material evidence, such as patent documents and pictures or videos of infringing products, the fair’s organizers can immediately remove suspected products from the official website and platform of the Canton Fair,” Wang said. He added that makers of suspected products can appeal to the fair’s dispute office within a certain period of time.

Guo Zhenchang, a senior executive from Anhui Technology Import and Export Corp, said that the fair’s organizers released research on potential situations that can cause infringements and disputes before the event to warn companies.

Both Guo and Wang said those services are helpful.

Lyu Jianfeng, sales manager at Zhejiang-based Zhengyang Technology, said the maker of electric power tools has benefited from the fair’s consultation services.

 Informed by the fair’s organizers, Lyu said he realized the importance of authorized economic operator — or AOE — certification in doing foreign trade. He added that the organizers recommended his company attend related training in Yongkang city, where his company is.