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Sino-American Intellectual Property Rights
Training Conference for Professionals
Shanghai, People's Republic of China
Oct. 28-30, 2004
Executive Summary
More than 500 distinguished government officials,
educators, industry leaders and legal experts from the United States and China attended the
Sino-American Intellectual Property Training Conference, October 28-30. The conference employed a multi-level collaborative approach to help Shanghai tackle its serious counterfeiting and piracy problems, which are having a devastating effect on the global economy.
The overwhelming success of the conference underscores the ongoing need for meaningful interaction and communication between the U.S. and Chinese IPR communities. The consensus among participants was that both sides have much to share and learn from each other.
The Shanghai conference also established the groundwork for an ambitious training initiative by AIEF, under the guidance of the International Council on Intellectual Property Rights. Advanced training will be provided to Shanghai policy makers, administrators, educators, judges, custom officers, business owners and enforcement agents over the next seven years.
Below is a summary of findings and recommended actions for future IPR training programs and events in Shanghai. These recommendations made to AIEF are based on senior-level roundtable discussions; International Council on Intellectual Property Rights recommendations; and conversations with conference participants throughout the three-day event.
Conclusions & Recommended Actions:
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Annual Event. Based on the success of the October event, it was recommended that AIEF and Shanghai Intellectual Property Administration co-organize the Sino-American Intellectual Property Training Conference on an annual basis. This fall conference should support IPR training in Shanghai, and encourage constructive global communications on IPR enforcement in China.
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Spring Conference.
Starting in 2005, AIEF and Shanghai IP Administration should co-organize a spring conference that continues to examine pressing IPR needs in the information technology, entertainment, pharmaceutical, biotechnology and manufacturing sectors. Co-organizers should work closely with industry groups, companies and government agencies on training needs and priorities.
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In-Depth Discussions.
Closed-door roundtables, training sessions and panel discussions should continue to be offered at future events. It was agreed these programs allow participants to share experiences, build alliances and broaden knowledge. However, in 2005, these activities should be expanded in length to allow more discussion time per discipline.
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Visiting Scholars & Professors.
Participants agreed that Shanghai’s shortage of trained IPR educators is negatively affecting the city’s enforcement efforts. In 2005, they recommended AIEF arrange for professors from distinguished universities, such as Shanghai University or East China Institute of Law & Politics, to serve as visiting scholars or professors at U.S. universities.
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Internships. Shanghai educators, administrators, prosecutors and enforcers were encouraged to learn first-hand how U.S. agencies and companies are fighting piracy and counterfeiting. It was recommended that internships be arranged with U.S. government agencies and private companies. The group felt that by increasing the interns’ understanding of IPR challenges faced by U.S. companies, there would be more opportunity to explain how similar enforcement efforts could be employed in China; and a greater chance to develop mutually beneficial IPR programs upon the interns’ return to Shanghai.
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Training. Strengthening IPR enforcement in Shanghai should remain a focus in short- and long-term training programs, conducted in China and U.S. AIEF should continue to work closely with government agencies, industry organizations, businesses, and educational institutions on training topics and priorities.
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