According to the closing news conference at 118th Canton fair, this session saw growing number of IPR cases, alleged infringement and enterprises determined as constituting alleged infringement than the previous session. The number of alleged infringement increased at higher pace.

According to Xu Bing, the spokesman of the 118th session of Canton Fair, 603 IPR cases were handled, an increase of 72 over the previous session , up13.56%; an increase of 77 over the fall fair last year, up 14.64%. A total of 860 enterprises were alleged infringement, with an increase of 197, up 29.71% over the spring session this year; an increase of 234, up 37.38% over the spring fair last year. 368 enterprises were determined as constituting alleged infringement, accounting for 42.79% of the total. A principal indicated that given the fierce market competition and declined business, more and more enterprises use IPRs as a tool to attack competitors. The number of enterprises determined as constituting alleged infringement maintained a stable level which means awareness of IPR protection of exhibitors has been enhanced and the quality of IPR should be improved. 

The session has four features in IPR protection: firstly, industrial design patent cases accounted for 71.12% of all patent cases filed; secondly, alleged infringement hit a high rate of 61.57% in trademark cases ; thirdly, 69 copyright cases were reported. Fourthly, IPR cases involving foreign enterprises accounted 40% of total cases. 

(China IP News)