The National Intellectual Property Strategy Outline, released on June 5, is expected to set the basis for the proposed revision of China's outdated copyright, trademark and patent laws.

The outline has set the "strategic" goals of completing the revision by 2020, to bring the country's intellectual property laws up to date.

At a news conference to introduce it, Zhang Qin, deputy commissioner of the State Intellectual Property Office of China, said the revision of the IPR laws is a "gigantic and complex" undertaking. But "we are fully committed to complete the revision on schedule to keep pace with economic development".

Zhang said work on the revision of the Patent Law is in progress, with the amendments expected to be submitted to the National People's Congress for ratification later this year.

Fu Shuangjian, vice-minister of the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, said the Trademark Law will be amended within five years, while Xu Chao, deputy director of National Copyright Administration, said the review of the Copyright Law will be carried out in stages.

The revision of the laws signifies an important milestone in China's IP history, a statement from the State Council Information Office said.

It said the State Council deliberated and basically approved the outline on April 9. The release of its contents on June 5 marked the formal launch of the implementation of the national intellectual property strategy.

The outline details seven specific tasks regarding various types of intellectual property; lists the tasks by areas of patent, trademark, copyright, business secrets, new plant varieties, and national defense; and puts forward nine strategic measures to achieve the tasks.

(China Daily 06/14/2008 page2)