50 Most Influential IP Figures Announced by MIP
British magazine Managing Intellectual Property (MIP) recently announced year 2010's list of the 50 Most Influential People in global IP community. This year's list, an eighth one produced by MIP's journalists based on recommendations and researches, includes politicians, administrators of the patent system, advocates for consumer and IP rights, in-house counsels, academics, corporate IP decision-makers, and representatives from the digital and online revolution that is transforming the IP industry.
The Chinese candidates who are on the list comprise:
Mr. Tian Lipu, commissioner for State Intellectual Property Office of China (SIPO): Mr. Tian has been playing an instrumental role in speeding up the progress of China's IPR protection system. He hosted in April the IP5 meeting held in Guilin, China, which provided a platform for the heads of the world's five major IP offices to further implement their IP work sharing vision among other objectives. Under Mr. Tian's leadership, SIPO has developed into one of the busiest IP offices in terms of the number of patent applications handled, and is gathering speed on the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) project, on the basis of a memorandum of understanding signed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in May on pilot PPH program.
Mr. Li Jianchang, director general of Trademark Office under the State Administration for Industry and Commerce: Mr. Li contributed to the improved timeliness in registration for trademark applications in China. The Trademark Office led by Mr. Li has brought in a shorter examination cycle for trademark applications to 18 months in 2009 from 30-36 months in 2008, while handling trademark applications that have been growing by hundred thousands annually.
Mr. Zhang Weian, chairman of the Quality Brands Protection Committee (QBPC) under China Association of Enterprises with Foreign Investment: Mr. Zhang participated actively in the amendments to the Implementing Regulations of Patent Law of the PRC. By making concerted effort with over 20 high tech enterprises in China, he has pushed through modification to the stipulation regarding service inventions reward, which was at a fixed proportion (2%) of the operating profit previously. According to the revised stipulation, enterprises are allowed to formulate their own incentive policies.
Mr. Song Liuping, chief legal officer of Huawei Technologies: Mr. Song's influence is embodied in his capacity as a top executive of Huawei, which is not only a leading Chinese telecom equipment supplier with global cult, but also a top patent seeker in China in terms of the number of applications filed.
Mr. Li Qunying, director of IP Division, Department of Policy and Legal Affairs under General Administration of Customs: Mr. Li represents the force of hard battle against acts of passing off. His influence is also seen in the maintenance of good exchange and communication with IP rightholders.
As an interesting addition to this year's selection, the Chinese IP litigation lawyers are on the list as a whole, on the ground that their combined efforts have resulted in a better litigation system for China, while at the same time they managed to deal with the phenomenally escalating IP litigation cases in China.
