China launches life sciences IP centre

China has launched an IP rights protection centre aimed at providing protection for the biopharmaceutical and high-end manufacturing industries.

On July 25, the China (Pudong) Intellectual Property Rights Protection Center was launched in Pudong, a district in Shanghai.

“As a core area of scientific and technological innovation with great international influence … Pudong new district is home to burgeoning high-end equipment manufacturing and bio-pharmaceutical industries,” said China’s State Intellectual Property Office (SIPO) in an announcement today.

The centre will launch a “green pathway” to allow for the faster examination of patents and a decrease in authorisation time.

SIPO said that the IP complaint channel will be improved and that a range of mechanisms will be established to safeguard IP rights.

These include a fast response mechanism for complaints, multiple avenues for dispute resolution, and an online rights protection facility.

The centre will also initiate coordinated and co-operative actions to protect IP rights in all industries by investigating and penalising illegal practices concerning patents, trademarks and copyright, carry out special law enforcement operations, and promote fast responses to infringement of IP rights in key fields.

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