The Regulations of the Shanghai Municipality on Intellectual Property Protection -- the first comprehensive set of local regulations on IP protection in East China's Shanghai city -- were formally implemented on March 1.

The regulations will provide a strong legal guarantee for Shanghai to create a world-class business and innovation environment.

They cover patents, trademarks, copyrights, geographical indications, trade secrets, the layout of integrated circuits and other IP rights, among other things.

The regulations focus on the goal of developing an international IP protection highland in Shanghai with complete institutions, robust systems and a sound environment -- as well as outline working principles for the "strict protection, extensive protection, fast protection and equal protection" of IP.

They make it clear that compensation for infringements should be increased and punitive damages should be ordered for serious intentional infringements. They also make it clear about the need to  intensify efforts to crack down on crimes infringing IP rights and strictly investigate criminal responsibilities -- as well the imperative to establish and improve a listings system for the protection of key trademarks, carry out key supervision of copyrights and strengthen supervision and inspection in areas where IP rights infringements are concentrated and prone to happen.

According to the Shanghai Intellectual Property Administration, or SIPA, during the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20) period, the city's IP protection capacity was strengthened, its governance capacity and environmental protection was significantly improved and the city was essentially established as an IP center city in the Asia-Pacific region.

Moving forwards, SIPA officials have said that even more efforts will be made in the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period.