China: Innovation instead of imitation
New Year, new China.
Published in November by the State Intellectual Property Office of China, the document called the “National Patent Development Strategy (2011-2020)” is set to bring more innovation than imitation to China. This document, discusses broad economic objectives as well as specific targets to be attained by 2015.
China’s goal for annual patent filings by 2015 is two million. That number includes “utility-model patents,” which typically include items like engineering features in a product and are less ambitious than “invention patents.” In the American system, there are no utility patents.
The New York Times quotes Mr. Kappos, Director of the US Patent and Trademark office: “The leadership in China knows that innovation is its future, the key to higher living standards and long-term growth,” Mr. Kappos says. “They are doing everything they can to drive innovation, and China’s patent strategy is part of that broader plan.”
China intends to overcome the “stigma” associated with being known as the world’s cheapest workshop for assembling computer parts and producing counterfeit fashion products i.e. Italian high street clothes and bags.
China has the chance to bring innovative products and technologies to the world and is making the US worried.
Will China gives us the next Mark Zuckerberg?
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