Home / Business / News Tools: Save | Print | E-mail | Most Read | Comment
WTO panel to investigate US-China IPR dispute
Adjust font size:

The World Trade Organization (WTO) decided on Tuesday to establish an expert panel to probe US complaints that China was not doing enough to protect intellectual property rights (IPR), trade officials said.

 

The panel decision was automatically made at a meeting of the WTO's Dispute Settlement Body, following a second request by the United States. Washington's first request for such a panel was made last month but rejected by China in accordance with WTO rules.

 

The United States initiated the case at the WTO in April, claiming that China's legal structure for IPR protection is unfairly deficient and inconsistent with WTO regulations. Consultations between the two sides failed to solve the dispute.

 

Since April, China has vigorously defended its position, regretting the US insistence on setting up a WTO panel on the case.

 

For nearly 30 years and particularly since joining the WTO in 2001, China has spared no efforts to improve its IPR legislation, and now the legislation is in full accordance with WTO rules, the Chinese mission to the WTO said in a statement after Tuesday's meeting.

 

By initiating the case, the United States is actually trying to change the WTO legal structure on IPR protection, with an attempt to impose extra obligations on developing members, the statement said.

 

It added that China would not accept obligations that go beyond what is prescribed in the "TRIPS" agreement among the 151 WTO members, which covers trade-related intellectual property rights.

 

The statement reiterated that China would continue to pay much attention to IPR protection, as it is necessary for China's economic development.

 

As a developing country, China is ready to make its due efforts for promoting worldwide IPR protection, the statement said.

 

(Xinhua News Agency September 26, 2007)

 

Tools: Save | Print | E-mail | Most Read
Comment
Pet Name
Anonymous
China Archives
Related >>
- China, US Hold Consultations on IPR Protection
- Nation's IPR Efforts Lauded
- China, US Police Bust Pirate Gangs
- New Campaign Targets Online Piracy
- China 'Regrets' US Complaint to WTO
- Building Innovative System Depends on IPR Respect
- More Support for Firms in IPR Disputes
Most Viewed >>

Nov. 1-2 Tianjin World Shipping (China) Summit
Nov. 7-9 Guangzhou Recycling Metals International Forum
Nov. 27-28 Beijing China-EU Summit
Dec. 12-13 Beijing China-US Strategic Economic Dialogue

- Output of Major Industrial Products
- Investment by Various Sectors
- Foreign Direct Investment by Country or Region
- National Price Index
- Value of Major Commodity Import
- Money Supply
- Exchange Rate and Foreign Exchange Reserve
- What does the China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement cover?
- How to Set up a Foreign Capital Enterprise in China?
- How Does the VAT Works in China?
- How Much RMB or Foreign Currency Can Be Physically Carried Out of or Into China?
- What Is the Electrical Fitting in China?