The protection of intellectual property rights (IPR) will be a priority at a September trade fair in Dalian, organizers say.

Organizers of the first China (Dalian) International Garment and Textile Fair are planning to integrate IPR topics into every aspect of the event, said Xia Deren, the mayor of Dalian in Northeast China's Liaoning Province. The fair is scheduled to be held from September 9 to 12.

Xia said organizers will inspect exhibitors' adherence to IPR and all exhibitors must sign a commitment with the organizers to follow relative IPR laws and regulations.

An office will be set up at the exhibition to provide consulting services on IPR protection, he added.

According to a statute enacted on March 1, exhibition organizers should set up an office to handle complaints about IPR infringements if an exhibition lasts more than three days.

During the exhibition, all participants (except journalists with permits) will be prevented from taking photos and videos, Xia added.

"This move aims to prevent counterfeiting and illegal imitating," he said.

Besides promoting exports of domestic garments and textile products, in particular those with self-owned brands, organizers also expect to facilitate imports of foreign-branded garments.

"Therefore, we provide special services in IPR protection to foreign exhibitors," said Xia.

The organizers will invite the State Intellectual Property Office and the Trademark Office to set up an office to provide information on trademark registering.

They will also help famous foreign brands who are registing in the Chinese market for the first time.

(China Daily 05/20/2006 page5)

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