China Is Serious About Intellectual Property

[Commentary] The international media have recently been full of negative stories about China’s lack of protection for intellectual property. I would like readers to have a clear picture of China’s intellectual property protections.

The implementation of the intellectual property system in China is bringing tangible benefits to Western countries and their multinational corporations. Western corporations earn hundreds of billions of dollars from China by directly collecting patent, trademark and copyright fees. They also obtain additional brand benefits and technical gains by producing products in China and then selling them to their home countries. Facing this global challenge, and creating a sound international environment for intellectual-property protection, requires a constructive attitude on the part of all countries. A climate of complaints and denunciations doesn't help.

[Tian is commissioner of China’s State Intellectual Property Office]