The Patent Protection in China Roadmap provides an overview of the Chinese patent system, in line with the new Patent Law which came into force on 1 October 2009 and its corresponding Implementing Regulations issued in February 2010.

The Trademark Protection in China Roadmap provides an overview of the trademark registration process in China and what steps can be taken to enforce trademark rights.

The Copyright Protection in China Roadmap provides an overview of the Chinese copyright system. As in some other countries, copyright arises in China as soon as an original work is created. The Copyright Law protects copyrights by way of administrative actions, civil actions and criminal actions. Various administrative authorities are empowered to take enforcement actions either independently or through joint efforts. This issue looks at what types of works are protected, establishing your copyright, the benefits of voluntary recordal, what constitutes infringement and pursuing judicial and administrative enforcement.

The Customs Enforcement in China Roadmap provides an overview of China’s customs system and what practical and legal steps companies can take to reduce the risk of IP infringement in the area of customs. In the field of customs enforcement, new legislation directed at the protection of IPRs at borders came into effect in March 2004 and was later amended in 2009 and again in 2010. The Roadmap has been updated to include a reference to the most recently amended Customs Protection Regulation of China which became effective as of 1 April 2010, and aims to be more effective in dealing with infringement across borders, dealing with detained goods and working together with right holders.