IPR protection to boost competitiveness

Domestic focus on research and development key driver of efforts

China's heightened protection of intellectual property rights is part of its efforts to help businesses shore up their competitiveness and boost spending on research and development, rather than a result of pressure from other countries, industry experts and lawyers said.

The general offices of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council published a guideline on IPR protection on Nov 24 that pledged harsher penalties for IPR violations and greater focus on protecting rights in emerging sectors.

Chu Xiang, an associate professor of intellectual rights protection at East China University of Political Science and Law in Shanghai, said the latest guideline exemplifies the country's commitment to developing a business environment that can help businesses boost research and development and improve their competitiveness.