Shanghai highlights industrial design and brand protection

To strengthen international cooperation on the protection of intellectual property rights, or IPR, a forum focusing on the international protection of industrial designs and brands, a sub forum of the 16th Shanghai International IP Forum, commenced on Oct 21.

Gan Shaoning, deputy commissioner of the China National Intellectual Property Administration, Rui Wenbiao, director-general of the Shanghai Intellectual Property Administration, and Marcus Hopperger, senior director of the Department for Trademarks, Industrial Designs and Geographical Indications, Brands and Designs Sector at World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), attended the forum.

Experts from home and abroad discuss the international protection of industrial designs and brands on Oct 21. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

As two important categories of IPR, industrial design and trademark are the factors that directly affect consumers' choice of commodities. Strengthening design and trademark protection is of great significance in creating a fair market environment and promoting innovation and economic development, said Gan in his speech.

According to Rui, Shanghai is strong in innovation and has great potential in the field of industrial design, trademarks and branding. The city has been actively promoting the creation, protection and application of industrial designs, and strengthening the protection and service of industrial designs for key enterprises, key industries and large-scale exhibitions.

At the same time, Shanghai also established an overseas rights protection office for trademarks to expand the international influence of Chinese brands, added Rui.

Hopperger pointed out that at present, more and more Chinese brands are enjoying a high reputation overseas, making international brand protection increasingly important.

He also said WIPO would like to continue to strengthen cooperation with China in the international protection of industrial designs and brands.