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South China Business Journal
LEADERSHIP
April marks an eventful month for us. I look forward Commission’s report also noted that Chinese entities continue
to participating in the Asia Pacific Council of American to steal IP from U.S. companies or coerce American and other
Chambers (APCAC) Business Summit this month. The fact that foreign companies to transfer IP to local competitors. I should
the summit is taking place in Guangzhou again after 12 years emphasize that all rights holders, both foreign and domestic,
shows that business leaders throughout the Asia-Pacific region should be afforded equal IP protection under Chinese law. This
widely recognize the economic importance of South China and also means that victims of IP infringement should be able to
the crucial role that U.S. – China economic relations play in recover damages equivalent to the economic harm caused by
bringing prosperity to the region. the infringement.
In honor of the upcoming World Intellectual Property Day on The short-term gains from forced IP transfers and overlooking
April 26, I wanted to write briefly about intellectual property IPR infringement quickly fade away, but the damage done to
rights (IPR) and the U.S. – China relationship. Our government’s the business climate is long lasting. Stronger IPR protection and
2017 Trade Policy Agenda identifies encouraging our trading enforcement in China will attract foreign investment and foster
partners to provide adequate protection and enforcement of U.S. new technologies, create new high-skilled jobs and provide
IPR as one of its four key priorities. Here in China, continued greater business opportunities. These are enduring, long-term
progress on this issue in particular is crucial. Over the course benefits. We must continue to promote exchange and training
of my many years in China there has been much progress in the programs with local judges and other officials who are leading
protection and enforcement of IPR here. Many rights holders China’s IPR enforcement advancements to share expertise and
have praised the work of the Guangzhou IPR court, one of three build a strong IPR framework.
such courts in China with special jurisdiction and expertise. The
number of markets selling counterfeit goods continues to shrink. Guangzhou will be the center of attention for the upcoming
Chinese high tech firms and government officials are calling for APCAC Business Summit and will attract U.S. industry
stronger IPR protection and enforcement. representatives from the entire Asia Pacific region. There is no
better time for South China to demonstrate its commitment to
However, much more must be done. AmCham South China’s protecting all companies’ hard earned innovation, creativity,
recently released survey shows that less than one third of and reputations.
respondents are satisfied with China’s IPR efforts. U.S. Customs
and Border Protection reported that China (including Hong Charles Bennett
Kong) accounts for 87% of counterfeit goods seized entering Consul General
the United States. Furthermore, according to a 2017 update to Consulate General of the United States of America
the Intellectual Property (IP) Commission Report, counterfeit Guangzhou, China
goods, pirated software, and theft of trade secrets costs the U.S.
economy USD $225 billion to $600 billion annually. The IP
2
LEADERSHIP
April marks an eventful month for us. I look forward Commission’s report also noted that Chinese entities continue
to participating in the Asia Pacific Council of American to steal IP from U.S. companies or coerce American and other
Chambers (APCAC) Business Summit this month. The fact that foreign companies to transfer IP to local competitors. I should
the summit is taking place in Guangzhou again after 12 years emphasize that all rights holders, both foreign and domestic,
shows that business leaders throughout the Asia-Pacific region should be afforded equal IP protection under Chinese law. This
widely recognize the economic importance of South China and also means that victims of IP infringement should be able to
the crucial role that U.S. – China economic relations play in recover damages equivalent to the economic harm caused by
bringing prosperity to the region. the infringement.
In honor of the upcoming World Intellectual Property Day on The short-term gains from forced IP transfers and overlooking
April 26, I wanted to write briefly about intellectual property IPR infringement quickly fade away, but the damage done to
rights (IPR) and the U.S. – China relationship. Our government’s the business climate is long lasting. Stronger IPR protection and
2017 Trade Policy Agenda identifies encouraging our trading enforcement in China will attract foreign investment and foster
partners to provide adequate protection and enforcement of U.S. new technologies, create new high-skilled jobs and provide
IPR as one of its four key priorities. Here in China, continued greater business opportunities. These are enduring, long-term
progress on this issue in particular is crucial. Over the course benefits. We must continue to promote exchange and training
of my many years in China there has been much progress in the programs with local judges and other officials who are leading
protection and enforcement of IPR here. Many rights holders China’s IPR enforcement advancements to share expertise and
have praised the work of the Guangzhou IPR court, one of three build a strong IPR framework.
such courts in China with special jurisdiction and expertise. The
number of markets selling counterfeit goods continues to shrink. Guangzhou will be the center of attention for the upcoming
Chinese high tech firms and government officials are calling for APCAC Business Summit and will attract U.S. industry
stronger IPR protection and enforcement. representatives from the entire Asia Pacific region. There is no
better time for South China to demonstrate its commitment to
However, much more must be done. AmCham South China’s protecting all companies’ hard earned innovation, creativity,
recently released survey shows that less than one third of and reputations.
respondents are satisfied with China’s IPR efforts. U.S. Customs
and Border Protection reported that China (including Hong Charles Bennett
Kong) accounts for 87% of counterfeit goods seized entering Consul General
the United States. Furthermore, according to a 2017 update to Consulate General of the United States of America
the Intellectual Property (IP) Commission Report, counterfeit Guangzhou, China
goods, pirated software, and theft of trade secrets costs the U.S.
economy USD $225 billion to $600 billion annually. The IP
2
