China's courts have seen a near 50 percent annual increase in
the number of cases concerning Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)
violations involving foreign firms since the country joined the
World Trade Organization.
From 2002 to 2006, China's courts settled 931 civil cases of IPR
violation at first instance trials with an annual increase of 48.3
percent. In 2006, China's courts settled 353 civil cases of IPR
violation at first instance trials, up 52.16 percent on the
previous year, according the Supreme People's Court.
"As China opens further to the outside world, it's inevitable we
will handle more IPR disputes and complicated IPR cases," said Cao
Jianming, vice president of the Supreme People's Cour.
"China will continue to strictly abide by domestic and
international laws to treat both domestic and foreign parties
concerned in cases of IPR violation equally," he said.
"No privileges will be given to foreigners and no regional or
industrial protectionism will be allowed for domestic parties under
the guise of protecting national interests," Cao stressed.
He also said China would continue its public trial system to
ensure the public, including foreigners, could attend trials.
He added that for some key cases, China would invite
representatives from foreign governments and international
organizations to attend the trials.
(Xinhua News Agency January 22, 2007)