SIPA boosts its intellectual property or IP protection services, to ensure that nothing untoward happens during the fourth CIIE. [Photo/WeChat account: Shanghai_IPA]

The Shanghai Intellectual Property Administration, or SIPA, recently launched a program to strengthen its IP protection services during the fourth China International Import Expo, or CIIE – which will kick off on Nov 5 in East China's Shanghai city and run through to Nov 10.

Under the program, SIPA will enhance its law enforcement procedures, establish a rapid response mechanism for inspecting and handling IP infringements and intensify inspections of key areas and sites such as the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) and its surrounding areas.

The aim is to crack down on violations of IP rights and boost the IP protection environment at the 4th CIIE.

The administration will pick key business personnel to set up a service team station at the CIIE venue. The team will patrol the display areas, to immediately identify and handle IP infringement cases, to head off any problems before the major event opens.

It is understood that SIPA's focus is also on on-site services. The administration will join forces with the China International Import Expo Bureau and other departments to establish a service center for IP protection and commercial dispute resolutions during the CIIE.

Staff from the China National Intellectual Property Administration will be invited to provide guidance for the center, to increase support for intellectual property legal consulting, applications for registrations, complaint handling of infringement disputes and other on-site services.