Chong Quan, Deputy China International Trade Representative, attended and addressed the Roundtable on Intellectual Property Protection in Internet industry on September 25, in Los Angeles, USA.

Mr. Chong said that, in current times, the Internet is revolutionarily changing people’s life. The extensive use of the Internet facilitated information integration and transmission. It also brought along huge impact on traditional modes of IPR protection. In response to new problems and features arising in the Internet field, within the established legislation system and framework on IPR, the Chinese government has been improving related laws and regulations, and has adopted a series of measures to strengthen law enforcement. At the end of last year, the State Council set up a leading group of cracking down upon IPR infringement and manufacture and sales of counterfeiting and shoddy commodities, and put the work against IPR infringement and counterfeits as a long term strategy. Under this long term mechanism, the Supreme People's Court solicited suggestions on applicable laws for trying civil cases of infringing information transmission on the Internet. This February, the Ministry of Culture, together with the Ministry of Commerce, the State Administration for Industry, the State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television (SARFT) and General Administration of Press and Publication, released the Notification of Special Action of Rectifying Comic and Animation Market, deployed and organized special rectification action focusing on supervision and administration of comic and animation products. From this July, National Copyright Administration, Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and State Internet Information Office jointly launched the four-month action to promote the prosperous and healthy development of the Internet industry.

Mr. Chong said that while strengthening legislation and law enforcement, China also encourages Internet enterprises to explore mutually beneficial cooperation modes with domestic and foreign owners of IPR, and perfect the channel and method to protect IPR protection on the Internet. China’s renowned websites in the delegation such as Baidu, letv.com and Tencent was active to carry out cooperation with foreign owners, which provided great convenience for them, increased their own service quality and benefits, and created a sound environment for IPR protection on the Internet.

Mr. Chong pointed out that the 21st century is the era of fast development of the Internet, and IPR protection on the Internet is our common challenge. China would like to continue to strengthen communication with the US on IPR protection, stick to the concept of openness, inclusiveness and innovation, seek common ground while reserve differences, and enhance mutual trust and dispel suspicions, so as to lay a solid foundation for the sustainable, friendly and healthy development of China-US trade and economic relations.

A counsellor from Office of the Administrator for Policy and External Affairs of USPTO gave a speech at the Roundtable. He said that the US appreciates the measures China adopted to protect IPR, especially IPR on the Internet. The US would like to join efforts with China to further perfect IPR protection system, and protect the interests of owners. At the same time, he hopes people in the industry can contribute ideas for perfecting IPR protection system.

Officials from Chinese Ministry of Culture, State Administration for Industry and Commerce and National Copyright Administration briefed situation of the IPR protection of music, comic and animation and games on the Internet, and the protection of trademarks and copyrights in China. US representatives of the Motion Picture Association of America, Walt Disney Company, Paramount Pictures Corporation, Universal Music Group, Warner Bros., and eBay exchanged views with representatives of Chinese government departments and enterprises.