The result of an IP contest, that is, China's major events and influential individuals in the area of intellectual property protection in 2010, was unveiled in Beijing on September 19. 20 events were elected as 2010 National IPR Protection Major Events (Cases) and 10 individuals were named as 2010 National IPR Protection Most Influential Individuals.

The appraisal activity was jointly organized by the State Intellectual Property Office (SIPO), the State Administration for Industry and Commerce (SAIC) and the National Copyright Administration (NAC), hosted by Patent Protection Association of China, China Trademark Association, Copyright Society of China and co-hosted by China Intellectual Property News. Starting in April this year, the appraisal consisted of three steps, namely, recommendation by organizations, preliminary examination and review by the judgment committee. Lasting more than half a year, it finally comes to the publication period.

2010 National IPR Protection Major Events (Cases) include:

---The State Council cracking down on intellectual property infringements and the production and sales of counterfeit and shoddy commodities

---Shanghai World Expo and Guangzhou Asian Games conducting strong intellectual property protection

---Chinese patent system achieving remarkable results in legal establishment

On January 9, 2010, Premier Wen Jiabao signed the Decision of the State Council on Revising the Implementing Rules of PRC Patent Law. The third revision of the Patent Law Implementing Rules came into force on February 1, 2011. The comprehensive revision is essential to improve China's patent system. Meanwhile, Patent Administrative Law Enforcement Measures, Guidelines for Patent Examination and many other regulations have been completed, marking that China's patent legal system turns to be perfect increasingly and patent protection has been further strengthened.

---General Protecht Group Inc. achieving five consecutive wins in the patent litigations in the United States

On December 2, 2010, the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico held a telephone hearing and reached a verdict, demanding Leviton of America to withdraw the complaint and terminate the Section 337 investigation (patent infringement investigations) against General Protecht Group Inc. conducted by the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC). That means General Protecht Group Inc. (GPG) has had five consecutive wins on intellectual property lawsuits in America.

---Chinese mainland and Taiwan signing an agreement on intellectual property rights protection

The Cross-strait IPR Protection Cooperation Agreement was signed on June 29, 2010. The mainland and Taiwan will increase exchange and cooperation to boost protection of patents, trademarks, copyrights and plant variety rights (PVR), according to the agreement.The two sides agreed to establish a law enforcement coordination mechanism to properly handle intellectual property issues in line with regulations of each side. The agreement would provide a sound environment and mechanism for the cross-Strait cooperation in the cultural industry.

---Shanghai Goodbaby Child Products Co., Ltd. winning the suit at the Supreme People's Court against American manufacturers and dealers for patent infringement

---Victorinox Swiss Army entering into a mediation agreement with Shanghai Robustworks Hardware Tools Co., Ltd. being sued for patent infringement

---Beijing IPR protection volunteer activities achieving notable results

---SAIC successfully finishing the task to resolve the backlog of trademark examination and review in three years

---Demonstration enterprises reaching Wuhu Proposal and demonstration cities (districts) reaching Suzhou Consensus in the implementation of trademark strategy

---"解百纳" (transliteration of Cabernet) trademark dispute settled down

---Jiangyin Municipal Administration for Industry and Commerce in Jiangsu Province uncovered the trademark infringement case involved with selling counterfeit world famous brands online

---Fujian Provincial Administration for Industry and Commerce protecting Taiwan-related trademarks

---Shandong Provincial Administration for Industry and Commerce strengthening geographical indication protection and expanding local brands

---International Forum on the Centennial of Chinese Copyright Legislation held in Beijing

---Chinese writers reclaiming rights from Google

China Written Works Society held three rounds of negotiations and numerous discussions with Google, urging Google to submit their illegal collection of 210,000 kinds of Chinese books and make a public apology to Chinese authors. It is a successful attempt at strengthening Internet copyright protection.

---Nantong home textiles becoming WIPO's first model of good practices on copyright protection

---China Central Television obtaining permission from Music Copyright Society of China to use copyrighted music works

---The rectification work of government agencies purchasing genuine software making periodical results

---18 video-sharing websites actively conducting self-correction activities to strengthen copyright protection

China's 10 most influential individuals in the area of intellectual property protection (in order of Chinese surname strokes) includes:

Wang Ziqiang, Director of the Department of Legal Affairs at the State Press and Publication Administration (National Copyright Administration);

Xing Dongsheng, Director of the Trademark Division, Shanghai Municipal Administration for Industry and Commerce;

Lv Guoqiang, Director of Shanghai Municipal Intellectual Property Office and Secretary of Shanghai Intellectual Property Joint Conference;

Liu Chuntian, Professor and Executive Director of Intellectual Property Law School of Renmin University of China;

Li Jianchang, Premier Commissioner of the State Administration for Industry and Commerce;

Wu Handong, famous Chinese IP law expert and President of Zhongnan University of Economics and Law;

Song Liuping, Vice President and Chief Legal Officer of Shenzhen Huawei Technology Co., Ltd.;

Zhang Kangkang, Member of the National Committee of CPPCC, Counsellor of the State Council, Vice President of Chinese Writers Association, Executive Director of China Written Works Society;

Chen Jinchuan, Acting President of the IPR Tribunal of Beijing Higher People's Court; and

Qin Min, Vice Major of Qingdao City in Charge of Intellectual Property Affairs

(Source:IPR in China)