Despite significant improvements to China’s intellectual property rights legal framework, innovative European SMEs, including those with research and development (R&D) capabilities, continue to face challenges in securing effective protection and enforcement of their intellectual property in the Chinese market. Persistent issues, including bad-faith trademark applications, counterfeiting, insufficient compensation for infringement, and lengthy dispute resolution procedures, remain major concerns. These challenges increase enforcement costs and legal uncertainties, potentially limiting SMEs’ ability to protect their innovations, commercialise new technologies, and sustain investment in R&D.
To address these challenges, the EU SME Centre and the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China are taking the 9th China International Import Expo (CIIE) as an opportunity to host a dialogue on intellectual property protection and enforcement for SMEs. The event aims to establish a two-way communication platform between innovative SMEs and governmental institutions, enabling the government to share relevant policies, regulations, and enforcement measures, while providing SMEs with a direct channel to voice their concerns and discuss practical solutions to strengthen intellectual property protection. Through this exchange, the event seeks to promote a more effective and predictable IP environment that safeguards innovation, supports R&D, and enables the sustainable growth of European SMEs in China.
Agenda
Friday 6 November (China Standard Time)
13:00–13:15
Registration and networking
13:15–13:25
Opening remarks
– Carlo Diego D’Andrea, Vice President & Chairman of the Shanghai Board, European Chamber
– Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce (TBC)
13:25–13:35
EU SME Centre introduction
Ester Cañada Amela, Advocacy Manager, EU SME Centre
13:35–13:45
Keynote speech by the Shanghai Intellectual Property Administration
Zeng Qian, Deputy Director of Intellectual Property Division, Shanghai Intellectual Property Administration
13:45–13:55
Keynote speech by the Shanghai Municipal Administration for Market Regulation
Huang Weifeng, Deputy Director of Price Supervision and Anti-Unfair Competition Division, Shanghai Municipal Administration for Market Regulation
13:55–14:05
Keynote speech by the Intellectual Property Tribunal of the Shanghai High Court
14:05–14:45
Panel discussion
Panellists:
– Andrea Alcini, Managing Director, CEJN China
– Yannick Martin, Asia Director, Erlab Asia
– Zeng Qian, Deputy Director of Intellectual Property Division, Shanghai Intellectual Property Administration
– Huang Weifeng, Deputy Director of Price Supervision and Anti-Unfair Competition Division, Shanghai Municipal Administration for Market Regulation
– Official from the Intellectual Property Tribunal of the Shanghai High Court (TBC)
Moderator:
– Helika Jürgenson, Project Manager, China IP SME Helpdesk
14:45–15:20
Q&A session
15:20–15:30
Closing Remarks
Steven Basart, General Manager, European Chamber Shanghai Chapter
