Chinese Courts Step Up Punishment for IPR Crime

According to the Supreme People’s Court of China, Chinese courts have given heavier punishments, including increased fines, to those who violate intellectual property rights.

For example, in a recent case, two companies were fined about 37 million yuan ($6 million) for the acts of four employees who allegedly stole business secrets from their opponents.

Also, the courts have continually intensified criminal penalties to combat IP violations and safeguard business safety, market order and food security.

Last year, 12,794 criminal cases on IP infringement were concluded by local courts and 15,518 persons were subject to verdicts taking effect, both hitting a five-year high.

In addition to criminal and financial punishment, the courts also identify the necessity to confiscate illegal proceeds, criminal instruments and IP infringing products to deprive criminals of their capacity and tools for repeated offense.

(Source: China IPR)