IP scene

Beijing

Export of services hits record growth

Data from the Ministry of Commerce show China's export of services hit an eight-year high in annual growth in 2018. In that year, the country paid 235.52 billion yuan ($34.8 billion) in royalties for its use of imported intellectual property, an increase of 22 percent from 2017. It also earned 36.8 billion yuan in IP export, rising 14.4 percent year-on-year. The figures show that the country's demand for high-end productive services remains strong and the competitiveness of high-end productive services exports is also on the rise, according to the ministry.

Ministry of Commerce

Have your say on plant regulations

A draft revision of the national regulations governing the protection of new plant varieties has been publicized online, open to opinions and suggestions from the public until March 11. Those interested can mail their feedback to the Department of Seed Industry at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs or email the department (zzjpzglc@agri.gov.cn) or fax (010-5919-9396).

Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs

Shanghai

Blockchain center opens in Shanghai

The Shanghai Blockchain Engineering Technology Research Center was unveiled at Fudan University in mid-February. The center is aimed at exploring common technical issues in the industry, promoting blockchain applications and fostering high-level engineer technology professionals. Its staff are devoted to building a blockchain system featuring its proprietary intellectual property and are expected to participate in setting industrial standards in China and abroad, said Kan Haibin, director of the new center.

Shanghai Observer

Jiangsu

New items added to cultural heritage

Nanjing, capital of Jiangsu province, has announced a fourth group of intangible cultural heritage. Forty-seven items made the list, ranging from traditional music, opera, dance and art to food and crafts. Folk literature and customs are also included. The addition sees the city's intangible cultural heritage inventory grow to 192 items.

Modern Express

Anhui

Province files ahead with trademarks

New trademarks surged 114.87 percent year-on-year to some 140,600 in Anhui province in 2018. It pushes the province's valid trademark inventory past the 400,000 benchmark, according to data from the provincial administration for market regulation. With roughly 201,000 trademark applications, the province hit a record high in its annual trademark filings last year. International trademark applications filed via the Madrid system reached 192, ranking Anhui the eighth-largest filer among Chinese provincial economies.

Anhuinews.com

Hong Kong

Hong Kong shoppers reject counterfeits

About 70 percent of Hong Kong residents have never bought counterfeit or pirated products, according to a survey released by the Intellectual Property Department of Hong Kong earlier this month. Some 44.3 percent of respondents who are used to surfing the internet said they will "absolutely" or "likely to" pay for online music or films. HK IP Director Ada Leung said that as a growing number of consumers shop online, her team will work to increase the awareness of IP protection in the cyber community.

Chinanews.com

(China Daily 02/21/2019 page17)