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Self-Discipline Project of Guangzhou Computer Markets (2007~2009)

by:GenuinewaysPosted:2007-09-29

In past few years, trademark owners, such as Canon, EPSON, devoted themselves to striking trademark infringement activities and t significant achievement. However, during the action of IP right protection, trademark owners had to face more and more difficulty when they took traditional ways to handle infringement taken place in computer markets in main cities, such as Guangzhou. On one hand, capability of anti-inspection of infringing dealers was growing increasingly; the dealers normally kept limited samples of infringing products in their stalls. If the Administration for Industry & Commerce (AIC) took any raid action in these markets, they would found few infringing products only so that the punishment would be very limited and infringements could not be deterred. On the other hand, during traditional market sweep actions, market operators always took negative acts rather then play a positive role in IP right protection.

So, all parties wanted to find a more effective way to protect IP right in computer markets. After complete investigation and discussing, Trademark owners, Genuineways Inc. (IP Agency) and Tianhe District AIC of Guangzhou decided to try a new way to protect IP right in computer markets via interactions with market operators. The cores of this new way were positive actions of market operators and self-discipline of dealers in these computer markets.

It’s called “North ZHONGUANCUN, South SHIPAICUN”,Shipai region of Tianhe District of Guangzhou City, took a very important position in Chinese Electrical Marketing, there were many computer markets whose health development would bring serious effect for Chinese Electrical Marketing and protect benefits of trademark owners, consumers and legal dealers. So, Trademark owners, Genuineways Inc. and operators of main computer markets of SHIPAI exchanged their opinions and then Trademark owners, Genuineways Inc. reached a preliminary intent on cooperation with main markets of SHIPAI, such as Buynow Plaza, Tianhe Computer City, E Digital Plaza and Pacific Digital Plaza(I, II). This project also t support from The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO).

The project launching ceremony was taken in the square of Buynow Plaza, Tianhe District of Guangzhou in September 27, 2007. During this ceremony, Mr. HUANG Biao, District Chief of Tianhe District of Guangzhou City, Mr. ZHOU Banghua, Director of Tianhe District AIC, representatives of three Brand Owners, Mr. Makoto Kawasaki, Consulate of Consulate-General of Japan in Guangzhou, Mr. CAO Laixi, GM of Beijing Genuineways Inc., both took short addresses and signed “Memorandum on Protection of Intellectual Property Rights” with market operators, Self-Discipline Project of Guangzhou Computer Markets was launched.

Core of Self-Discipline Project of Guangzhou Computer Markets was:  “Respecting Knowledge, Advocating Innovation, Being Honest and Credible, and Abiding by Laws”, this cooperation was confirmed by this memorandum.

Genuineways Inc. provided IP right information of Trademark owners, such as Canon, EPSON and Brother, to the market operators, and the latter did the publicization within markets. Meanwhile, Genuineways Inc. cooperated with market operators, including: providing information of dealers which infringing above mentioned three brands, helping market operators to identify authenticity of suspected products or not, helping market operators to arrange investigation.

Market operators took self examinations to stop any trademark infringing  within their markets. At same time, market operators examined the dealer which was suspected for infringing above mentioned three trademarks base on information or evidences provided by Genuineways Inc. According to the provision of such memorandum, if the infringement was confirmed, the infringing dealer would be punished base on the agreement they signed with market operators.

The launch of this project had especially drawn many media’s attention. Such as Guangzhou Television and Southern Television Guangdong reported this lunching ceremony and detail thereof in their noon news and evening news. Meanwhile, main news papers in south China, such as Yangcheng Evening News and New Express Daily did deep reports about this project. These report made this project well known by public and t supporting from public and vox populi.

Self-Discipline Project of Guangzhou Computer Markets took two phases from October 2007 to January 2009. This project powerfully protected benefits of Trademark owners and consumers, optimized markets, achieved win-win with Trademark owners, market managements, terminal dealers, consumers and administrations. Under cooperation of both parties, IP infringements were effectively handled, market managements supervised and instructed infringing dealers to stop further infringement, which raised reputation and leading position of market operators and lowered administrative cost for market supervisal.

Self-Discipline Project of Guangzhou Computer Markets promoted setting up and perfecting of well business environment with Respecting Law and IP Right,and contributed to protecting benefits of Trademark owners and consumers and purifying business environment. This project t affirmation from vernment and relative departments as well as positive response from public. Influence of this project was growing increasingly, and represent well developing and bright foreground of IP right in China.

Scene of project launching ceremony

 

Scene of project launching ceremony

 

Addressed by Deputy District Chief of Tianhe District of Guangzhou City

 

Addressed by GM of Genuineways Inc

 

Addressed by the consulate of Consulate-General of Japan in Guangzhou

 

Representative of AIC and Representative
of cooperators signed cooperation memorandum

 

Representative of Genuineways Inc and Representative
of Markets signed cooperation memorandum
 

News reported by Yangcheng Evening News

 

News reported by New Express Daily

 

News reported by Noon News of South TV

 

News reported by Evening News of Southern TV