Although China has received international praise for the first time for its efforts in cracking down on intellectual property rights (IPR) violations, it will be domestic market requirements and not overseas pressure that result in a long-term protection mechanism being established, mainland experts say.
The United States gave a rare acknowledgment yesterday of China's 'special campaign', which began from October, saying it 'appears to have resulted in improved co-ordination among various IPR enforcement authorities in China at central, provincial, and local levels'.
The annual Special 301 Report, released by US Trade Representative Ron Kirk, said the campaign, launched by Premier Wen Jiabao, might lead to lasting improvements in IPR enforcement.
Section 301 refers to a US trade act covering barriers to intellectual property laws.
IPR authorities and lawyers familiar with IPR issues on the mainland said it was the first time in years they had found a positive comment in the report regarding China's effort on IPR protection.
'For years they just criticised the negative side of our work [in the report]. This is the first time I heard praise,' said an official with the Guangdong Intellectual Property Office.
The campaign has targeted a broad range of intellectual property violations, from illegal downloads of music and movies, CD and DVD piracy, software infringement, to trademark infringement, the latter involving counterfeit mobile phones, car parts, bulk commodities and pharmaceuticals.
