1. Tianjin
Watchmaker, economic area sponsor design competition
A design competition for a Sea Gull watch organized at the municipality's Airport Economic Area opened on Dec 1, attracting more than 60 contestants, including professionals from industrial design companies, students and amateurs.
Jointly hosted by the Tianjin intellectual property office and the Sea Gull Group, the contest aims to publicize and promote innovation in design in the city's proprietary brands, according to Wang Cheng, deputy head of the office.
The nominated works will be financed to apply for patents.
Contestants would be organized to communicate with the company staffs and visit its museum to better understand the company's history, culture and watch design essentials.
2. Shanghai
Thirty investigated for displays at auto parts fair
An enforcement operation against fake auto parts during the 2010 Shanghai International Trade Fair for Automotive Parts, Equipment and Service Suppliers in December found 30 exhibits whose authenticity is now under investigation.
The 120,000 square meter trade fair attracted some 2,500 domestic and foreign companies.
The city's intellectual property office also arranged lectures at the exhibition to help deal with the potential intellectual property disputes.
3. Hunan
3 million yuan in funding for international patent filings
Changsha, capital of the eastern province, recently secured more than 3 million yuan ($500,000) from the Ministry of Finance to fund 102 international patent filings under the Patent Cooperation Treaty.
The biggest amount for a single patent was 430,000 yuan.
The patents from eight companies and one college included those for machinery, pharmaceutical equipment, new energy and metallurgy.
The policy to encourage international patents began in 2009.
4. Zhejiang
UCLA expert and city official discuss intellectual rights
Emily Loughran, who oversees intellectual property at the University of California in Los Angeles, visited the province's intellectual property office on Dec 14, and discussed the field with Wu Jian, deputy director of the office.
Wu summarized differences in the systems and achievements in patents, trade and personnel training.
The visit also sought to enhance cooperation in training courses and patent transfers, according to Loughran.
5. Anhui
Stakeholders discuss range of trademark developments
Government officials, scholars and delegates from leading enterprises took part in a meeting about trademark protection in Wuhu city on Dec 21.
Fu Shuangjian, vice-minister of the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, called for more self-developed brands and encouraged leading Chinese companies to do business abroad.
Initial success was seen after a campaign launched nationwide two months ago against copycats, Fu said. More than 3,000 infringements have been uncovered.
6. Guangxi
Librarians call for increased protection of the classics
Curators of 102 college and public libraries recently made a joint appeal for peers to help fight piracy and strengthen protection of classics.
Since August, the autonomous region has held special campaigns to reinforce copyrights at libraries.
7. Guangdong
Nation's first proprietary laser printer joins the select group
The first laser printer designed in China has made the nation the fourth with such proprietary printer technologies after the United State, Japan and South Korean.
The printer was developed by the Zhuhai-based high-tech company Seine, which established a large patent database including core technologies needed to make laser printers, according to the company's CEO Wang Dongying.
He said annual output of the printer will reach a value 10 billion yuan ($1.5 billion) after it goes on sale, while development of the related industrial chain will be given a boost as well.
(Source: China Daily)
