Intellectual property is one of the biggest concerns for Australian companies exporting to China, due to the of risk having their goods copied, duplicated and sold with no protection by the Chinese authorities. However, in his China Path Podcast, IP Australia’s David Bennett allays these fears to some extent, explaining that Australian businesses can ensure their IP is protected by understanding that Chinese IP works differently.
According to David, in China, your IP is protected once a trademark is registered rather than being first to market as is the case in Australia. While the IP environment is very different in China, Chinese authorities are working to establish a fair IP playing field that protects both local and foreign businesses.
David Bennett is IP Australia’s first intellectual property (IP) Counsellor to China, where he has worked out of the Australian Embassy in Beijing since early 2017. Visit the Australia China Business Council website to hear David’s China Path podcast or you may wish to download the Australian Government’s Guide to Protecting your IP in China here.