The People’s Republic of China is already a hub where key players from every industry have – or are likely to have in the near future – a strong presence. Unfortunately, China is also known as a place where unprotected technology is likely to be copied. If a company wants to manufacture – or sell – its products or services in China, it must protect its intellectual property in the country. Although filing patent applications is not a strategy in itself, it is an integral part of any well-developed strategy.

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An important difference in business practices between China and many western countries is the value that courts and officials give to the stamp (in China often referred to as the “chop” or seal). We introduce the rules and practice, and some suggestions on how to manage your risk.

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By Charles McElwee

A draft of China’s “Circular Economy” law was submitted for deliberation in August 2007 to the Standing Committee of National People’s Congress (NPC), China’s top legislature. At that time it was expected to take effect in January 2008. It did not. It apparently remains, however, on this year’s agenda for the Standing Committee (as noted in a report delivered by Wu Bangguo on the work of the Standing Committee to the recently concluded First Session of the 11th NPC).

“Circular Economy” is how China’s definition of sustainability gets translated into English. The draft law establishes the principles of reduce, reuse, and recycle (at least at the industrial level) as legal mandates, and imposes requirements that new industrial facilities (a) incorporate energy efficiency and water conservation designs and (b) explore ways to reduce their use of hazardous substances. Read the rest of “China’s “Circular Economy” Law” or post a comment

The International Law News, which is the American Bar Association’s publication for the International Law Section, recently published an article by Law Professor Richard Gruner entitled “Intellectual Property in the Four Chinas”.  Now, you might be wondering if there are four Chinas in the first place since most people think there is one China.  If you are a firm supporter of Taiwan, which is technically the Republic of China, that would give you two Chinas at best.

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By Jack Perkowski

On matters economic, I generally give the Chinese government high marks. Starting in 1978 with an economy that could barely feed its people, the government has guided China through 30 incredible years of economic reform and development.

I have been here for half that period, and have personally witnessed how China has built out its infrastructure, deregulated one industry after another, privatized many of its state-owned companies and embraced globalization by joining the World Trade Organization. As a result of these reforms and more, China is now the third-largest economy in the world, and everyone is waiting to see what the next 30 years will bring. Read the rest of “Sometimes, The Market Just Wants To Go Down” or post a comment