Politics and IP in China explained
01 October 2008
IP protection in China remains a controversial and politicised issue. Mark Cohen looks back at his four years working as IP attaché at the US Embassy in Beijing
In September 2004, I was appointed the first US IP attaché to China, representing the US Patent and Trademark Office at our Embassy in Beijing. Many Americans viewed my task as enormous. The Wall Street Journal titled the article on my appointment "Sisyphus in China". The Chinese press was less voluble about the challenges but seemed intrigued with the concept, noting that I was an "old China hand" and inquiring about my plans to develop the office further. Some on both sides of the Pacific questioned the political ramifications and possible ulterior motives of my appointment. Technology webzine Red Herring, for example, called me "Hollywood's Baby Sitter". Industry representatives were among my strongest allies. Contrarians also had legitimate concerns about the expense of the programme in an agency that is funded by user fees derived from patent and trade mark applications. If it were not for the support of industry...
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