European Commission Launches IPRs Helpdesk for EU SMEs in China
08-May-2008
BEIJING - A helpdesk aimed at assisting European Union (EU) small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) on Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) issues in China was launched by the European Commission at a ceremony held at the Hilton Hotel in Beijing on May 6, 2008.
The “China IPRs SMEs Helpdesk,” will support EU SMEs in the protection and enforcement of IPRs relating to China, through the provision of free information, training and advice. These activities will assist EU SMEs in their decision-making with regard to China IPRs matters.
The Helpdesk will also offer support to European SMEs already encountering issues of IPRs enforcement in China by providing practical on-the-ground orientation and a common-sense step-by-step guide to IPRs, in addition to enhancing dialogue and cooperation with China.
The manager of Abu-Ghazaleh Intellectual Property (AGIP) in China, Ridab Abu-Taleb, commented on the event stating, “This is definitely a step in the right direction. Many businesses in Europe are unclear on the rules governing Intellectual Property matters here. The Helpdesk will no doubt provide both clarity on this and better communication with country officials.”
Speakers at the launching ceremony included Deputy Head of the European Commission delegation in China, Dr. Michael Pulch, Representative of DG Enterprise of the EU in Brussels, Stephanie Mitchell, and China IPRs Enforcement Expert and Team Leader of the IPRs SMEs Helpdesk, Simon Cheetham.