China moves to bolster IP laws

Mark LaPedus, EE Times
(04/15/2008 4:46 PM EDT)

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- China has moved to evolve and bolster its enforcement of intellectual-property (IP) laws, but there are many challenges on the complex legal front in that nation, according to panelists at the Intellectual Property Symposium here on Tuesday (April 15).

On April 10, the China State Council (CSC) approved the guidelines for a national strategy of IP rights. Hammered out by the State Intellectual Property Office and other government agencies, the guidelines call ''for greater efforts to crack down on the infringement of intellectual property rights, safeguard market order and the legal rights of the public, strengthen international cooperation and abide by international practice, and make concerted efforts to raise awareness of intellectual property issues among the public,'' according to the Xinhua news agency.

The news was welcomed by the multinationals as well as the chip community. ''Progress is and will continue to be made in China's enforcement of intellectual property," said Richard Thurston, vice president and general counsel for the legal organization at silicon foundry giant Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (TSMC), at the event. The event is sponsored by EE Times, Semiconductor Insights and Portelligent.