At the city of Shanghai's International Intellectual Property (IP) Forum, in the Jin Jiang Hotel, Dec 8-9, scholars and officials came to discuss current trends in IP development, IP use and value, and protecting IP in free trade zone.

Taking part were Francis Gurry, director general of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Shen Changyu, commissioner of the State IP Office of China (SIPO), and Yang Xiong, mayor of the city.

Shen Changyu, commissioner of the State IP Office of China (SIPO),gives a speech at the city of Shanghai's International Intellectual Property (IP) Forum, in the Jin Jiang Hotel, Dec 8-9.[Photo/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Shen affirmed the Chinese government's commitment to IP innovation and noted that it stands firm in its commitment to protecting intellectual property and encouraging IP innovation. He went on to say, of all the cities in China, Shanghai has taken the lead in reforms in IP, and that the Forum is expected to promote Shanghai's IP development, and boost IP innovation in the global market.

In commenting on the memorandum of understanding signed at the Forum by the Shanghai government with WIPO, Yang noted that the agreement has helped Shanghai enter a new era of IP protection. He told the participants that IP is at the core of his city's competitiveness and that they have come up with strategic outlines to promote its applications, protection, and management.

Yang Xiong, mayor of Shanghai, gives a speech at the city of Shanghai's International Intellectual Property (IP) Forum, in the Jin Jiang Hotel, Dec 8-9.[Photo/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The memorandum of understanding is signed by the Shanghai government with World Intellectual Property Organization at the city of Shanghai's International Intellectual Property (IP) Forum, in the Jin Jiang Hotel, Dec 8-9.[Photo/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

He concluded by saying, "Shanghai is exploring ways to reform IP management and law enforcement through Intellectual Property courts in hopes of becoming a scientific and technological innovation center with a global reach."

Sponsors of the two-day Forum, which drew officials and scholars from many countries, were WIPO and the Shanghai government.