Movie copyrights

The Motion Picture Association (MPA) and China Film Copyright Association (CFCA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to encourage closer cooperation between the two organizations, particularly on illegal filming with camcorders.

The MOU was signed in Beijing at the 2nd China International Copyright Expo by MPA President and Chief Operating Officer Bob Pisano, MPA Asia Pacific President Mike Ellis and Zhu Yongde, chairman of the CFCA.

The two groups will work closely to monitor the level of illegal camcording in cinemas, especially on the Chinese mainland.

Following the release of Paramount's movie, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, in late June, illegally recorded content from the film was available on several online video websites in China, according to the MPA.

The MPA reported that more than 90 percent of newly released movies that end up appearing illegally online and on the streets originate from illegal copies recorded inside movie theaters.

Pisano called on Chinese authorities to support the promotion of legitimate content.

He added that China's home video business is being hurt by a lack of legitimate retail outlets, slow censorship decisions and rampant piracy.

IP challenges

The US Chamber of Commerce and its Global Intellectual Property Center (GIPC) initiated a summit with the Guangdong government to discuss intellectual property (IP) challenges in the province.

Myron Brilliant, senior vice president for international affairs at the US Chamber, represented the US group at the Pearl River Delta International Forum on Innovation and Intellectual Property Rights.

He was accompanied by US Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, US Ambassador to China Jon Huntsman and top industry and business association executives.

"Guangdong is still considered a major source of production for infringing products sold not only in China, but globally," said Mark Esper, executive vice president of the GIPC.

"We look forward to building on the progress made at this summit with the Guangdong government," Esper said.

Fair complaints

The complaint service office at the massive Canton Fair continuously received information about suspected infringement during the trade fair's third phase that ended this month.

According to statistics from the complaint service office, 36 cases -- accounting for 60 percent of all complaints -- were based on suspicions of infringement of company patents.

A total of 60 cases were accepted for investigation after a total of 119 complaints were filed at the trade fair that began in mid-October.

Agriculture expo

A high technology agricultural expo, China Yangling Agricultural Hi-Tech Fair, was held this month in Xi'an, the capital of northwestern China's Shaanxi province. The expo showcased advancements from companies at home and abroad.

More than 5,000 new projects involving more than 1,100 companies were showcased at the 16th China Yangling Agricultural Hi-Tech Fair, said Liang Hongxian, deputy director of the Yangling high technology zone's administration committee.

Addressing fair participants, State Council member Liu Yandong said more efforts are needed to develop agriculture with higher yields, higher quality and higher efficiencies through science and technology advancements.

(Source: China Daily)