Recently, SIPO issued the notification to establish intellectual property right protection centers for key industries. These centers will carry out intellectual property protection work which includes accelerated examination, quick determination of rights, rapid safeguarding of rights. Other tasks are administrative enforcement, assistance in safeguarding, arbitration and mediation and judicial coordination. It is noted that with the establishment of these centers, patent counterfeit cases and design infringement cases are expected to be concluded within 10 days, while patent and utility model infringement cases are expected to be settled within one month.
According to the SIPO, concentration will be made on the improvement of rapid safeguarding and quick determination of rights, etc. Consequently, such work as online protection mechanism will be intensified for receiving complaints and serious punitive measures for bad faith acts. Also, accelerated examination will be extended to certain industries. Coordination should be made to improve patent quality and to issue evaluation report more quickly. In addition, measures including perfecting the connection between administrative and judicial system, establishing social mediation and arbitration mechanism, and founding patent navigation industry will be implemented to push forward intellectual property operation.
According to the notification, cities and regions that apply for coordinative protection must take lead in view of the value among competitive industries. Local governments and intellectual property bureaus should support the building of protection centers. After approval, SIPO will act its supervising role in the building of centers.
