China's Ministry of Commerce has affirmed its willingness to engage in open communication with the European Union (EU) regarding intellectual property issues, following the EU's recent complaint to the World Trade Organization (WTO) over China's judicial practices on standard essential patent disputes.
On Monday, the Ministry stated that channels of communication with the EU are \"always open,\" emphasizing China's commitment to resolving the matter through dialogue. The EU filed the complaint at the WTO, expressing concerns over China's policies that allegedly restrict EU companies from protecting their standard-essential patents.
In response to media inquiries, the Ministry confirmed it received a consultation request from the EU on January 20. It reiterated that China strictly adheres to WTO rules and its accession commitments, continuously improving legislation and enforcement related to intellectual property rights (IPR) protection.
\"China's achievements in safeguarding intellectual property have been widely recognized,\" the Ministry noted. \"We will address subsequent matters in accordance with WTO rules and firmly safeguard our legitimate rights and interests.\"
The dispute centers on judicial measures that the EU claims prevent European patent holders from defending their IPR in foreign courts. This development highlights the growing importance of IPR in international trade relations, especially as technological advancements increasingly rely on standard-essential patents.
The Ministry's open stance suggests a potential for negotiated solutions, which could be significant for global businesses and investors monitoring the stability of international IPR enforcement.
Reference(s):
China says it's open to communication with EU on intellectual property
cgtn.com