The 2008 China Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) List was released on April 26 in Beijing to mark the 9th World Intellectual Property Rights Day.

The list includes individuals and notable events, each with 10 finalists.

Most of the Top 10 people in the 2008 IPR list are from the IT industry, including Ma Huateng, CEO of Tencent Inc, which has grown into China's largest and most used Internet portal in the decade since it was founded.

Movie star Jackie Chan, who became the "Anti-piracy Ambassador" last year, is also on the list. Other winners from literary and art circles are famed director Zhang Yimou and Gu Jianfen, a highly respected female composer and an advocate of songwriters' rights.

Wang Wenjing, president of UFIDA Software Co Ltd, was selected as a top 10 IPR nomination figure.

Among the top 10 IPR developments last year was implementation of a new national intellectual property strategy by the State Council that aims to develop a higher capacity to create, use and protect intellectual property by 2020.

Other events listed in the top 10 include amendment of China's Patent Law, the widespread Shanzhai copycat phenomenon, Microsoft's "black screen" incident and karaoke copyright litigation.

The 2008 IPR event was co-sponsored by China Daily's IP Weekly, China Intellectual Property News, People's Daily online and the Intellectual Property Protection in China website.

By noting those who contributed to progress in intellectual property in China and highlighting significant developments in the field, sponsors said they intend to enhance the protection of intellectual property in all of society and encourage respect for knowledge and creativity.

Twenty candidates and events were selected by sponsors, then put on the Internet for a public vote. An assessment committee of nine experts then held a secret ballot to choose 10 finalists in both categories.

To ensure independent and impartial selection, sponsors were not involved in the assessment. Final results were signed and confirmed by the chairman of the assessment committee.

Plans are already underway for selection of 2009 IPR figures and events. A hotline - 86-10-64995826 - e-mail address - huangmengxin@chinadaily.com.cn - are now in service to provide information and accept nominations.

(Source: China Daily)