Chinese govt opens Beijing IP training centre

The Chinese government has set up an Intellectual Property Training Centre in Beijing in a sign, says the UK patent office, of growing commitment to protecting intellectual property (IP) rights.

Geoff Sargant, assistant marketing director at the Patent Office who recently returned from a lecture visit in Beijing, described the office as "hugely impressive".

"The Chinese are becoming more aware of IP, partly because their own companies are beginning to generate their own rights," he said.

He added that improving the protection of IP rights went alongside China's bid to join the World Trade Organisation.

Sargant has just returned from a visit to the new centre which was prompted by the signing of an IP co-operation agreement between the UK and China.