Asia IP

Shanghai has long been the business and financial centre of China. With plans announced to establish the first free trade zone in mainland China in the city, local authorities are considering a reform in IP administration.

Lv Guoqiang, head of the Shanghai Intellectual Property Administration, said in an interview with radio station Shanghai FM90.9 that a lack of efficient IP law enforcement would result in an outflow of good companies and trading opportunities in the zone. Later, Lv told China Daily that the city is considering integrating enforcement forces of patent, trademark and copyright into one special team.

The Shanghai Free Trade Zone, supported by the central government, was launched in late September 2013. This pilot plan occupies an area of 29 square kilometres.