It was recently reported that China intends to establish about 100 intellectual property assistance centers in recent years, due to the awareness for IP protection among the public and increasing number of IP disputes. The purpose is also to strengthen the understanding and use of IP system by the enterprises and the public in order to avoid being passive in the IP disputes, especially the foreign-related disputes. For lack of efficient and quick mechanism, the Chinese enterprises were suffering from huge losses in their development, which discouraged the innovation and invention of the rightholders.
The centers are set up to help Chinese citizens, legal persons and other organizations that have financial difficulties in IPR disputes and litigation. State Intellectual Property Office (SIPO) launched the construction of IP assistance centers since the end of 2007. So far, SIPO has approved the establishment of 46 assistance centers.
