The Wuhan Intermediate People's Court recently holds a press conference on "IPR Judicial Protection Month", saying that the dramatic increase of IP cases, internet and foreign-related disputes gradually become the new hotspots.

During the first 10 months this year, a total of 292 and 250 IP civil cases of the first instance are accepted and concluded in Wuhan City, up 60 percent and 34 percent respectively. The number of IP cases rises prominently. According to heads of Wuhan Intermediate People's Court, on the one hand, people's awareness of IPR protection is strengthened; on the other hand, the transformation rate of scientific and technological achievements rises constantly in recent years in Wuhan, leading to the increase of new problems in some new areas. Meanwhile, the number of foreign-related IP cases also increase prominently with some cases involving some international renowned brands and enterprises.

In 1997, Wuhan establishes China's first tribunal to specially try IP cases. Up to date, the tribunal has totally tried more than 1,200 IP cases. In the past, the cases are mostly related to patent, copyright, trademark, unfair competition and technological contract; but now, more new areas such as internet copyright, internet domain, affirmation of renowned brands, protection of new plant variety, computer software infringement and injunction before litigation are involved.