Stricter oversight of IPR on the way

A guideline draft was issued by the State Council on March 29 to more tightly regulate the transfer of domestic intellectual property rights to foreign buyers.

The guideline aims to improve national security systems to safeguard the State’s safety and public interest as it regulates overseas transfers of IPR, according to a statement issued on the State Council website. The document listed an investigation mechanism that covers external transfers of IPR such as patent rights, exclusive rights to layout designs of integrated circuits, computer software copyrights, and new plant variety rights. These may occur in the process of technology exports, and foreign investors’ acquisition of Chinese enterprises.

According to the guideline, Chinese units or individuals can transfer their IPR to international enterprises, individuals or groups. Such transfers will be reviewed if they appear to affect national security or China’s core technology innovation in key fields, the guideline draft said.

Major science projects loom

China will play an active role in significant international scientific research projects, the State Council said on March 28.

The short-term goals will be to cultivate three to five projects by 2020, and select and initiate one or two major science projects, then form a mechanism for organizing such projects. By mid-century, a series of such projects will be incubated, and China will play a leading role in global scientific innovation governance system while continuing to contribute to solving major global scientific issues.

A strategic plan will be drafted to prioritize several subjects, such as the mysteries of the universe, climate change, health, energy, agriculture and information technology, the guideline said.

Science projects will welcome investment from local governments, enterprises and international organizations. The government also will give incentives to high-level professionals nationwide to build a pool of expertise, and set up a global recruitment system to attract top-level scientists and technical talent. A supervision and assessment mechanism also will be established to accompany the move, the guideline said.

Pilot program of shares and receipts

The State Council on March 30 approved a document submitted by the China Securities Regulatory Commission on piloting programs for innovative enterprises by issuing stocks or depositary receipts. The programs should adhere to market-oriented principles and the rule of law while drawing upon international experience, the document said.

Pilot enterprises should be innovative and of a certain scale. They should also comply with national strategies and possess core technologies with high-market recognition. They must be in the categories of high-tech industries and strategic emerging industries, such as the internet, big data, cloud computing and artificial intelligence. Specific standards of pilot enterprises will be set by the CSRC.