A two-year training program on intellectual property rights (IPR) ended in Beijing on Nov 11. It attracted more than 1,100 representatives of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) since it began in November, 2008.

The program's three cofounders - the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, US-based microprocessor giant Intel and leading Chinese home appliance maker Hisense - plan to popularize IPR knowledge among at least 1,000 SMEs over three years - giving the initiative the name "331 training ".

The six sessions already held in Beijing, Qingdao, Dalian, Chongqing and Fuzhou already realized the goal.

"Intellectual property protection helps healthy growth in companies and promotes industrial improvement," said Han Jun, vice-director of the ministry's science and technology department.

Intel itself grew from a small business and likes to share its experience with Chinese SMEs, said Ge Jun, executive board director of the multinational.

Now with global operations, a staff of IPR professionals and wide experience in intellectual property management, Intel keeps works closely with governments, industry partners and the academic community to contribute more to society, Ge said, part of the company's corporate social responsibility.

(Source: China Daily)