Recently, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) held the video conference for discussing response measures taken by intellectual property agencies amid the COVID-19. Mr. Shen Changyu, the Commissioner of National Intellectual Property Administration of the People’s Republic of China, attended the conference and presented response measures taken by National Intellectual Property Administration, P.R.C.
Mr. Shen Changyu said, this is a virus that respects no borders, the outbreak we are battling is our common enemy. Since the outbreak of novel coronavirus, with President Xi Jinping’s personal guidance, and through arduous efforts, the situation of epidemic prevention and control in China has improved significantly, the production and normal living are restored at a faster pace. Presently, the outbreaks occurred in many countries of the world and the situation has been a common issue of concern. WIPO held the conference at this moment, strengthening the share of experience in fighting against the epidemic among intellectual property agencies across the whole world, it facilitates global innovation entities to respond to the challenges posed by the pandemic in a more timely and effective way.
Shen also said, after the outbreak of novel coronavirus, in order to practically implement decisions and deployments of national epidemic containment, soundly guarantee the legal rights of owners of the intellectual property, the National Intellectual Property Administration of the People’s Republic of China made arrangement at the first place to issue No. 350 Announcement on Relevant Issues regarding Patents, Trademarks, Layout Design of Integrated Circuits Affected by the Epidemic, in which clarifies the remedy procedure of the intellectual property. The announcement has been issued again based on the recent global situation, clearly states that the remedy measures above are applicable to all countries and regions affected by the disease, it has been highly praised at home and abroad.
Moreover, the National Intellectual Property Administration of PRC also taking aggressive measures to preferentially review patent applications and trademark registrations related to prevention and control of COVID-19. To support enterprises to carry out the registration of the pledge of intellectual property right for easing the financial pressure, achieved good result.
Shen also emphasized that the spread of COVID-19 has posed tremendous challenge to global innovation entities. Chinese side advises all countries should strengthen information communication and experience sharing with the support of WIPO. Chinese side is willing to, in the field of intellectual property, share beneficial practice with other countries of fighting against COVID-19, to enhance global cooperation in the field of intellectual property, furthermore, to defeat this major communicable disease together with the rest of the world.
The video conference has been presided by Mr. Francis Gurry, the Director General of WIPO, intellectual property agencies from nearly 20 countries and regions, including China, United States, Europe, Japan and South Korea shared measures taken in response to extension of statutory period and cost of grace that were caused by COVID-19, analyzed medical innovation and medicine accessibility through promotion of the intellectual property system, also raised proposals to ensure performance of Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) and other international intellectual property systems.
Representatives from intellectual property agencies of Australia, Canada, France, German, Japan, South Korea, Russia, Singapore, Switzerland, UK, US and European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) and European Patent Office attended the conference and delivered speeches.
