China to Increase Exports of Independent-Trademark Products

2009/06/10

China will gradually increase the exports of
independent-trademark products, a recently issued document relating to trademark strategies by China's State Administration for Industry and Commerce (SAIC) indicated.

In addition, China will establish a coordination mechanism for companies to safeguard the rights of their trademarks overseas and lodge complaints, protecting the legitimate trademark rights and interests of Chinese enterprises overseas.

The document released by SAIC aims to implement the Outline of the National Intellectual Property Strategy issued by the State Council on June 5, 2008. Industry and commerce administration departments will make great efforts to publicize the knowledge of international trademark registration. They will also encourage Chinese companies to use independent trademarks in international trade and conduct international trademark registration.

According to the specific goals set out in the trademark strategy document, the number of internationally registered trademarks from China will match the country's foreign trade status by 2020. The proportion of exported products and services with independent trademarks compared to total foreign trade will significantly increase.

At present the majority of China's export products are OEM (original equipment manufacture) products, and less than 20 percent of exporters have independent brands. Due to the brands' low added-value, the average profit margins of China's export products have been small for a long time.

In addition, China will establish a coordination mechanism for companies to safeguard the rights of their trademarks overseas and lodge complaints, protecting the legitimate trademark rights and interest of Chinese enterprises overseas.

The mechanism will give full play to governments at various levels, intermediary trademark organizations and industry associations.

By utilizing the multilateral and bilateral cooperation systems in the trademark field, it is expected that an effective mechanism will be established to resolve disputes, safeguard rights and facilitate information communication, as well as a coordination mechanism to safeguard rights and lodge complaints.


Source: CCTV.com