Mysterious factory break-in raises suspicions about Chinese visit Read moreBehind the startling brand infringement on display in markets and shopping streets lies a deeper intellectual property issue. What is certain – say western governments, business experts, analysts and security experts – is that Chinese businesses are routinely benefiting from the theft of intellectual property. The following year, a commission suggested such intrusions cost the US $300bn a year – with China responsible for up to 80%. The Chinese intellectual property regime has developed rapidly: Dr Xiaobai Shen, an expert on intellectual property and business at Edinburgh University, says courts could soon be overwhelmed by the number of domestic cases, and the blatant sale of counterfeit goods has been curbed somewhat. “Korea and Japan moved from the imitation phase to the innovation phase – and China will do that too,” he predicts.

Source: The Guardian October 15, 2016 06:00 UTC