The International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE, formerly IAEM) will offer the latest update of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) regulations in China. These latest measures have been approved by…
The International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE, formerly IAEM) will offer the latest update of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) regulations in China. These latest measures have been approved by China`s Ministry of Commerce, State Administration for Industry and Commerce, National Copyright Administration and State Intellectual Property Office, effective 1 March 2007.
Like many things about China these days, the government`s embrace of Intellectual Property Rights at exhibitions came as a surprise after years of inaction, notes IAEE President Steven Hacker. However, the fact is China`s shift from an agrarian economy to a manufacturing and high-tech economy alters the nation`s position on intellectual property abuse.
China now has as much, if not more, at stake as other industrialized nations and the government now understands that the piracy of intellectual property rights threatens its own economy. New anti-piracy regulations require show organizers to report all cases of IPR abuse at their events or risk facing severe fines and penalties. It is not yet a perfect situation, but it is not a perfect situation in the United States either. Substantial progress is being made and that is very noteworthy.
According to association`s executives, IAEE has been a strong advocate of stricter IPR control in China and has worked to help develop measures to guard against IPR abuse since 2004. IAEE co-organizes the annual China Expo Forum for International Cooperation (CEFCO) with theChina Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI) and the Society of Independent Show Organizers (SISO) in an effort to explore and develop the exhibition and event industry in China.
IAEE Chairman Jeff Price comments, Significant strides continue to be made by and between IAEE and CCPIT. The changes to the IPR measures offered by China is but one of many tangible initiatives. CCPIT is clearly interested in furthering the professionalism of their exhibition industry. The CEFCO conference recently held in Shanghai was an impressive exchange of knowledge and understanding between our two groups and our two nations.
In January 2006, IAEE teamed with the CCPIT in an official signing ceremony for the CCPIT-IAEM Declaration of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) to establish the CCPIT`s commitment to recognizing the importance of securing IPR and devising methods in which to protect them. At that time it was also announced that the Chinese Ministry of Commerce was drafting new substantial IPR protections, such as requiring Chinese exhibition organizers to inform government officials of alleged IPR abuse including counterfeiting, trademark infringement, and other forms of fraud and piracy.
IAEE continued these efforts by signing the Strategic Alliance Agreement on Exhibition Cooperation and Exchanges Between CCPIT and IAEM in May 2006, which encourages participation in exhibition and event activity in both countries. IAEE agreed to continue its support for CCPIT as the sole partner in China for its Certified in Exhibition Management (CEM) Learning Program and CCPIT participates in IAEE`s Asian Exhibition Council (AEC) activities through the AEC China Council, furthering cooperation between China and other member countries of the IAEE AEC in exhibitions and events.
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