1 Shenzhen

Fake batteries seized

Shekou Customs recently seized more than 22,000 fake rechargeable batteries bearing global brands Hitachi, Bosch, Dewalt and Makita.

Worth more than 3 million yuan, this has been the largest case of trademark infringement the customs office has seen this year.

The anti-smuggling department of the customs office is conducting further investigation into the case.

LEGALDAILY.COM.CN

2 Ningbo

Japan awards local customs

Ningbo Customs recently received an award from two Japanese organizations, including JETRO, for its protection of Japanese intellectual property.

In 2011, the local customs office seized more than 20 million counterfeit items worth 69 million yuan in 89 cases of trademark infringement involving such Japanese trademarks as Hello Kitty, Hitachi, Lexus, Panasonic and Sony.

Bags, auto parts and digital products accounted for the greatest share of goods seized, according to the customs office.

NEWS.HEXUN.COM

3 Tianjin

Famed liquor recognized

Lutaichun Liquor brewed in the city's Ninghe county was recently awarded national geographic indication status, bringing the total number of products enjoying the status in the city to 10.

The move is expected to sharpen the product's competitive edge both at home and abroad, local authorities said.

The liquor, first brewed in the Qing dynasty (1644-1911), has a history of more than 300 years.

022NET.COM

4 Shaanxi

Design competition kicks off

The seventh Intellectual Property Cup industrial design competition for college students started at the end of the last month at Xi'an Polytechnic University in Shaanxi province.

More than 180 students from 20 universities in the province were involved in the opening ceremony.

The annual competition, co-hosted by the provincial intellectual property office, is designed to increases college students' awareness and capacity about innovation. The organizers will help the creators of the winning designs to apply for patents.

xinhuanet.COM

5 Guangdong

IP cases are on the rise

The number of IP-related crimes has been increasing sharply in Shenzhen city over recent years, growing at an average rate of more than 50 percent, according to the city's procuratorate.

In 2009, the procuratorate filed 91 suits, but the number rose to 141 in 2010 and then 220 in 2011. In the first three months of this year, the procuratorate filed 86 IP-related suits involving 116 suspects.

Around 60 percent of the cases have involved counterfeited trademarks.

cri.Cn

6 Xinjiang

Xinjiang strong in patents

Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region ranked first among provinces and regions in Northwest China in patent competence last year and seventh nationwide, according to a report recently unveiled by the State Intellectual Property Office.

The ranking is made according to evaluations of the number of patents created as well as based on utilization, protection, management and services. It is the first of its kind in China and will be carried out annually in the future.

PEOPLE.COM.CN

(China Daily 06/06/2012 page17)