Watchdog on forgery launched

CHINA has established the country's first national intellectual property rights watchdog based in Beijing, the official China Daily has reported.

The so-called China United Intellectual Property Protection Centre was a 'non-governmental' organisation established to deal specifically with property right infringements, and to provide 'comprehensive services' to domestic and foreign companies, it said.

The centre will monitor the enforcement of intellectual property rights nationally and regionally, and will investigate on behalf of domestic or foreign clients particular cases of infringement, obtaining evidence, filing lawsuits and taking other legal action.

The centre is also charged with offering advice on intellectual property rights and on providing advanced 'anti-forgery' technology and products.

The paper reported that the centre had established a 'watching network' in 26 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions. The centre also plans to set up an eastern office in Shanghai and a southern office in Guangzhou.

The centre was set up in response to increasing complaints, both from China and abroad.

about serious infringements of intellectual property rights.