He Rong, executive vice-president of the Supreme People's Court (SPC) of China, said Chinese courts have impartially and efficiently handled intellectual property related cases in accordance with the law and rendered equal protection over domestic and foreign entities  in order to foster a business environment that is market-oriented, law-based and up to international standards, as well as create an open, fair, just and non-discriminatory environment for sci-tech development.

She made the remarks while giving a presentation at the  third China-ASEAN Justice Forum on July 20.

He Rong pointed out that Chinese courts have released a series of judicial interpretations and policies involving patent rights, trademark rights, copyrights, new plant variety rights and business secrets, established the Intellectual Property Court of the SPC and IP courts in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hainan Free Trade Port, and promoted the “three-in-one” reform of integrating civil, administrative and criminal trial of IPR cases into one division. They have improved the connection mechanism between the administrative and judicial enforcement of laws, participated in IPR international governance under the framework of the World Intellectual Property Organization,  and greatly enhanced judicial protection over IPR, she added.  

Courts in China have implemented the basic national policy of opening-up, fulfilled obligations specified in international treaties, respected international business practices, handled foreign-related cases in a fair and efficient manner in accordance with the law, and provided equal treatment and protection for domestic and foreign-funded enterprises, as well as Chinese and foreign rights owners, she said. More  foreign companies are settling their disputes  over IPR in Chinese courts and China is gradually becoming a trusted and preferred place for international IPR litigations, she added.

She emphasized that with the rise of a new round of sci-tech revolution and industrial transformation, it is increasingly important to strengthen international cooperation in IPR protection. She pledged that Chinese courts will uphold the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind, protect various IPRs in strict accordance with the law, strengthen international judicial exchanges and cooperation, and provide judicial support for sci-fi innovation, cultural prosperity, fair competition and higher-level economic and trade exchanges in the region.

Rahmi Mulyati from Indonesia’s Supreme Court,  Thansamay Samounty from the  People’s Supreme Court of Laos, Moe Thuzar Oo from Myanmar’s Supreme Court, and Chalerin Powpattana Amornsak from Thailand’s Supreme Court delivered presentations on enhancing IPR cooperation to improve the international protection of IPR. They acknowledged that improving IP systems and establishing IP courts will help further optimize their respective business environments, adding that they hope for more opportunities to share judicial practices in IPR protection so as to enhance international protection in this area.