The Chinese government has launched a campaign to improve
awareness of intellectual property (IP) protection at
expositions.
Shang Ming, head of the regulations and decrees division of the
Ministry of
Commerce, said the ministry hoped to reduce cases of IP
infringement through a nationwide drive known as "Blue Sky
Expo".
Shang revealed the plan at the 99th
China Export Commodity Fair that opened Saturday in Guangzhou,
capital of Guangdong Province.
Officials from five government bodies, including the Ministry of
Commerce, the National Copyright Administration and the State
Intellectual Property Office, will conduct spot checks at 20 major
governmental and commercial expos held before April next year.
Campaigns on public awareness of trademark and patent rights and
copyright were also underway, said Shang.
The Chinese Export Commodity Fair, a biannual event launched in
1957, consists of two phases: manufactured goods, textiles and
garments, foodstuffs and medicines in the first phase; and
souvenirs, gifts and household commodities in the second.
The 99th fair, with 30,058 booths, has attracted 13,686
exhibitors, an increase of 1,031 over last year. The first phase
will run from April 15 to 20 and the second from April 25 to
30.
It is estimated 450,000 people will attend.
(Xinhua News Agency April 16, 2006)