04/02/18

Fine China? A Look Into Chinese Intellectual Property Infringement, Treaty Obligations, And International Responses


Fine China? A Look Into Chinese Intellectual Property Infringement, Treaty Obligations, And International Responses

Kevin Eugene Thomas Cunningham Jr.

China has garnered the reputation of being the world’s largest exporter of infringing good, as well as being a place where property rights are notoriously difficult to enforce. The international community has a vested interest in curbing infringing activity, however, it has proven difficult to get China to both create new domestic law allowing for increased protections, as well as enforcing those laws whenever they are eventually implemented. This paper conducts a brief survey of the Chinese historical underpinnings surrounding their current intellectual property law regime. It then goes on the examine many of the treaties to which China is a signatory, as well as the unique issues that China faces when attempting to enforce its domestic law and meet international obligations. Finally, I will analyze international responses to China’s lack of enforcement, followed by an analysis of what worked, what didn’t, and what can be done in the future to achieve the desired result of increased protection for intellectual property.

99 J. Pat. & Trademark Off. Soc’y 279(2017)

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