The 13th Shanghai International Intellectual Property Forum

The 13th consecutive Shanghai International Intellectual Property Forum (SIIPF) was held on the 17th and 18th of November, 2016. The forum was hosted by an array of professionals from various backgrounds, not only making for a highly informative event, but also contributing to the development of one’s overall perspective with regard to intellectual property.

A&Z was among those who attended the forum, keeping up to date on IP issues, and allowing for the relay of pivotal points to clients.

IP rights contribute to sought-after economic growth, trade, and employment, a concept which was enunciated by the Master of Ceremonies, Mr. Lu Guoqiang, Director General of the Shanghai Intellectual Property Administration (SIPA), Shanghai, China. Mr. Guoqiang asserted that in order to understand the true potential of IP rights, there must be an unveiling of opportunities pursuant to which the economy can be stimulated, leading to growth as well as positive innovation.

Moderated by Ms. Wang Binying, deputy Director General, Brands and Designs Sector, WIPO, the first session panelists included Mr. Rui Wenbiao, Deputy Director General, Shanghai Intellectual Property Administration (SIPA), Shanghai, China, and Mr. Maximiliano Santa Cruz, Director General, National Institute of Industrial Property (INAPI), Ministry of Economy, Santiago Chile. This first of 3 sessions held on the 17th concentrated on the intricate nature of IP in spurring innovation, development, and growth. IP in the interest of growth promotion allows for its use as an asset in the interest of business financing. In terms of building a global environment in which IP can flourish, cooperation was noted to be a prerequisite to achieving synergy and policy.

The second theme of the event concerning IP protection and adjudication in an evolving environment stressed the importance of balance between public interest and IP protection – a difficult goal to achieve. Growing technical and sociological challenges threaten innovation, and while dispute resolution was mentioned as a foundation of efficiency in IP, there is still much uncertainty as to how IP cases will be adjudicated where such cases concern cross-border elements, which contemporarily lead to inefficient delays and unnecessary expenses.

A&Z’s participation in the forum, and the wisdom we derived, compliments our already vast knowledge on the topic of IP, allowing for a more profound understanding of situations directly and indirectly associated with IP, translating into better counsel when clients are in need.