On September 26, a ceremony for the establishment of China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone (FTZ) Administration IPR office was held. Zhao Wen, deputy mayor of Shanghai, addressed the ceremony that the establishment of FTZ Administration IPR office marked a new era for IPR administration and protection in FTZ and a new chapter for IPR undertaking in Shanghai. At the same day, the seminar on IPR administration and protection was held.

According to Ms. Zhao, it is a very important and creative try to set up an IPR office in FTZ in order to establish a unified system for IPR administration and law enforcement. Meanwhile, it is a vital step forward for Shanghai to deepen reform and opening up, to be in accordance with international practices and to strengthen IPR protection. Zhao said that it is a glorious mission for FTZ IPR office to establish unified IPR management mechanism and launch law enforcement reform. She conveyed her wishes that FTZ would take this opportunity to unswervingly implement the national strategy on intellectual property rights，to do a good job in pilot projects and make greater and new contribution to spur economic development through innovation and promote transitional development, and to build Shanghai into IPR center in Asian-Pacific region.

According to a representative from Shanghai IPR office, despite the no-large scale, FTZ Administration IPR office still owns a sound and independent operating system, and its duty covers carrying out IPR administration and law enforcement on patents, trademarks and copyrights independently. As the first one in its kind, FTZ Administration IPR office will play a vanguard and exemplary role and gather experience for FTAs nationwide to conduct reform in IPR integrated management and conduct cooperative law enforcement.

As a matter of fact, the IPR undertakings have been attached great importance since Shanghai FTZ was set up. Taking into consideration of external factors such as international IPR environment, national and regional practice, the administration has actively explored new ways to establish integrated IPR management system and law enforcement mechanism. FTZ Administration IPR office is their best try and greatest outputs.

According to Wangjing, Deputy Director of Shanghai FTZ, the Shanghai FTZ Administration IPR office contributes to the 8th internal unit of Shanghai FTZ Administration, with its functions extending from examination and approval to IPR administration, in broader sense, such as unified IPR administration, carrying out IPR protection in key fields, key industries and key champions, promoting establishment of IPR protection system and IPR industrialization.

 (China IP News)