In 2003, Guangdong courts, in adherence to principles of uniformity in law enforcement, equality in protection, and balance of interests, solved and closed large quantities of cases equitably and efficiently, helping create for a fair, open competition environment for the advance of the market economy in Guangdong, as well as providing a firm legal guarantee for economic, technological, and cultural exchange and cooperation between home and abroad. According to statistical calculation, the courts at different levels in Guangdong received a total of 1024 IP cases of first instance, increasing 38.4% over the previous year, accounting for one sixth of the national total; of this number, patent cases totaled 395, trademark cases 460, technical contract cases 35, and other cases 17. In 2003 altogether 910 IP cases of first instance were settled and closed, an increase of 48.7% as against 2002, and moreover, the Provincial High Court solved a total of 192 IP-related cases of second instance, an increase of 24.7% over the previous year; the total worth of the object of these lawsuits reached 139.555 million RMB.

In an attempt to make IP-related judiciary work commensurate with the actual situation with Guangdong's social, economic development, the Provincial High Court, on the basis of sufficient investigation and feasibility study, issued the Notification on Authorizing Grassroot Courts in Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Foshan to Receive Civil IP Lawsuits of First Instance, whereby the local courts in Guangzhou's Dongshan District, Shenzhen's Nanshan District and Foshan's Nanhai District were to receive IP-related civil lawsuits starting from January 1, 2004. This measure further improved and innovated Guangdong's judiciary mechanism for IP protection, constituting a significant exploration nationwide.

Source: Office of Intellectual Property Protection Committee of the People¡¯s Government of Guangdong Province

Translated by: Li wei

Editor: Wing