The Quality Brands Protection Committee (QBPC) under the China Association of Enterprises with Foreign Investment (CAEFI), an industry group of 142 international companies operating in China, has applauded the Chinese government's recently released IPR Action Plan for 2006. QBPC includes leading health care players such as Eli Lilly and Johnson & Johnson.

The QBPC believes the Action Plan's key elements, including a wide range of legislative, enforcement, and training and education initiatives, represent a significant step forward in the advancement of IPR protection in China.

Robust and up-to-date legislation is a critical tool in the fight against counterfeiting and piracy. The QBPC therefore welcomes the announcement in the Action Plan to revise the PRC Trademark Law, Copyright Law and Patent Law by 2008. The QBPC looks forward to cooperating with the Chinese government and industry on examining proposed legislative changes. The QBPC also looks forward to further expert exchange on possible revisions to the IP provisions of the Criminal Code.

One of the more significant developments mentioned in the Action Plan is the recent issuance of new regulations intended to promote more efficient transfers of counterfeiting and piracy cases from administrative enforcement authorities to the Public Security Bureau (PSB). These new rules are expected to encourage a higher level of coordination between the relevant government authorities. They are also expected to increase cooperation among the authorities in pursuing joint investigations into suspected large-scale cases.

The QBPC believes that these and other initiatives outlined in the comprehensive Action Plan will significantly increase the effectiveness of China's fight against intellectual property crime. QBPC chairman Jack Chang pointed out: "Our members are committed to the development of the Chinese economy and we see IPR protection as an integral component. As such we look forward to working with the Chinese authorities as they begin to put their plan into action."

As noted in the joint announcement of the People's Republic of China (PRC) and US governments at the JCCT meeting in Washington on April 11, 2006, China will base its future IP protection work on the framework set out in the 2006 Action Plan.