Shanghai Signs Seven-Year IPR Agreement with AIEF

Shanghai Unveils Extensive Intellectual Property Training Program, SHANGHAI, CHINA (May 18) - Shanghai Municipal People's Government and Shanghai Intellectual Property Administration formally signed a seven-year agreement today with the American International Education Foundation (AIEF) to strengthen the city's intellectual property rights (IPR) program.

Under the plan, AIEF will help facilitate IPR reform in China by providing integrated education and training programs to Shanghai policy makers, administrators, educators, judges, custom officers, business owners and enforcement agents, according to Ms. Yan, Jun Qi, Vice Mayor, Shanghai Municipal People's Government.

"Our objective is to make Shanghai prominently known for its IPR management standards and protection," she explained. "We recognize that IPR is an essential factor in this knowledge-based economy, and we are pleased to work with AIEF on this important initiative. Advanced training will allow us to quickly establish IPR personnel on the level of other cosmopolitan cities."

Instruction is needed on topics ranging from understanding international IP standards to enforcing international IP regulations, according to Mr. Chen, Zhi Xin, Director General, Shanghai Intellectual Property Administration.

"Shanghai's IPR efforts have an excellent foundation," he said. "However, the fact remains that high-level personnel in our city need advanced IPR training. With AIEF's strong record in facilitating educational exchange in China, we are confident these programs will increase Shanghai officials' knowledge of international IPR standards."

The comprehensive effort will feature IPR seminars and ongoing short- and long-term training programs in China and the United States. An invitation-only workshop in Shanghai is planned in the fall between leading U.S. officials, industry leaders and educators, and their Chinese counterparts. The program is designed to help U.S. and Chinese companies protect their IP assets and better enforce international IPR regulations at their own organizations, according to Dr. Patrick Fong, AIEF's Executive Director.

"IPR protection is vital to the global economy," said Fong. "Counterfeiters are costing billions of dollars in lost business in China and other nations. We are pleased to provide professional training that will help Shanghai tackle this challenging business issue."

The Shanghai government consulted with AIEF on this effort, because of the organization's proven expertise in bringing together Chinese and U.S. officials on educational and cultural matters. The foundation has developed numerous comprehensive training programs, established student learning centers and organized international education conferences and exhibitions in China, Taiwan and South Korea for many years.

AIEF is a non-partisan, non-profit educational foundation. Headquartered in Los Angeles, the foundation has offices in Washington, D.C., Shanghai, Seoul and Taipei.

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