IP scene

Beijing

Punishment tougher for IP infringement

Thirty-eight government agencies, including the National Development and Reform Commission, the People's Bank of China and the National Intellectual Property Administration, signed a memorandum of cooperation on Tuesday for joint efforts to strengthen punishment for intellectual property infringements. Dishonest conduct by individuals or enterprises, such as repeated patent infringements and falsification of documents during patent applications, will be subject to joint punishment, according to the memorandum posted on the website of the NDRC. Wrongdoers will be identified on a blacklist, which will be shared among government agencies for enforcement and made public online.

Xinhua

Shanxi

First provincial brand research group opens

Shanxi's first provincial brand research society was unveiled last week. The nonprofit academic organization was founded by professionals in the fields of brand research, management and marketing, as well as by university academics, media workers, corporate executives and attorneys. The group works to promote local brands and serve businesses headquartered in the province, its officials said.

Shanxi Evening News

Sichuan

Audiovisual center to help startups grow

The Chengdu Hi-tech Industrial Development Zone signed a strategic partnership agreement with the China Netcasting Services Association and Chengdu's radio and TV service provider on Nov 29 to build an internet audiovisual industrial center at the zone. The new project will bring in business incubators, venture capital firms and service providers to help startup companies grow, local officials said. It will focus on creative content, innovative technologies, service platforms, equipment manufacturing and application services in the audiovisual industry, they added.

Iprchn.com

Guizhou

Local brands being promoted globally

Guizhou authorities initiated a global campaign to promote the top 100 local brands in the provincial capital of Guiyang on Nov 27. The move came after a policy issued by the provincial government in May to improve the quality of locally made products and expand the influence of local brands. The top 100 brands in Guizhou involved in the campaign cover such sectors as liquor, tea, medicine, cuisine, natural drinking water and green agro-products. To facilitate their promotion, the province has also launched an online platform to market them worldwide, with a focus on well-known brands and geographic indications.

Jschina.com.cn

(China Daily 12/06/2018 page17)