The number of IPR cases has been on rise in China during the past year. The people's courts of all levels have stepped up efforts in IPR protection. On Feb 3rd, the Supreme Court announced ten IPR cases, of which five are criminal cases including Huang Weijin's counterfeit of registered trademark; and five are civil cases including the US Education and Examination Service Center's sue of the New Oriental School for infringement of copyright and trademark.

In the regard of civil judicial protection, all people's courts in China had settled 8,332 IPR cases, 46.82 percent higher than 2003. A total of 385 cases had been settled and 653 criminals were sentenced in 2004.

By People's Daily Online