Customs, enterprises should strengthen IPR cooperation

China’s customs departments have made great efforts in the protection of intellectual property rights, but the export of infringing goods is still serious. To curb the export of infringing goods, the customs will further intensify law enforcement, and the IPR holders also need to strengthen cooperation with customs, said related principal from the General Administration of Customs (GAC) at the recent "2008 Customs - Corporate IPR Dialogue".

It is learnt that after seizing the goods suspected of IPR infringement, the customs will check the IPR recordation of related trademark. If the trademark owner does not file IPR recordation in GAC or the recordation does not include the seized goods, the customs has to release the suspected goods. This phenomenon tells that customs and enterprises must enhance cooperation in IPR protection.

Customs departments remind that after trademark transfer, invalidation, information updates, or any change in business contacts, the right holders must promptly notify the GAC. Otherwise, the customs may fail to get in touch with trademark owner, which may lead to the delay of case settlement or normal export. [Chinese version is available on Chinatradenews.com.cn]