In a significant move to protect innovation and creativity, China has indicted over 44,000 individuals for crimes related to intellectual property rights (IPR) infringement between 2021 and 2023, according to a white paper released by the Supreme People’s Procuratorate (SPP) on Thursday.
The crackdown reflects China’s intensified efforts to safeguard the rights of creators and enterprises in an era where intellectual property is increasingly vital. Over the past three years, procuratorial organs across the nation approved the arrests of 17,547 individuals implicated in more than 10,600 IPR infringement cases.
Trademark infringement accounted for a substantial portion of these violations. However, the white paper also noted a sharp rise in cases involving copyright infringement and the infringement of trade secrets. In 2023 alone, copyright infringement cases surged by 140% compared to the previous year, while trade secret infringement cases nearly doubled, increasing by 96.6%.
The prevalence of IPR infringement was notably higher in economically developed regions, particularly along China’s eastern coast. This trend suggests a correlation between economic growth and the occurrence of such cases, highlighting the challenges that come with rapid development and increased commercial activity.
Gong Ming, deputy procurator-general of the SPP, emphasized the importance of protecting original enterprise innovation. “Procuratorial organs will proactively conduct special operations to enhance protection and will continue to punish crimes that encroach upon the critical core technologies of enterprises in accordance with the law,” he stated.
These intensified efforts underline China’s commitment to fostering a fair and competitive business environment. As the country continues to evolve into a global innovation hub, the protection of intellectual property rights remains crucial for sustaining economic growth and encouraging technological advancement.
Reference(s):
Over 44,000 indicted for IPR infringement from 2021 to 2023 in China
cgtn.com
