While the coronavirus outbreak has caused a lot of uncertainty in the economy, one thing is certain, IP protection continues to be one of the most important aspects when doing business in China. But what impact has Covid-19 had on IP protection in China? What IP-related issues SMEs should pay more attention to during this time of pandemic?

In this webinar, China IPR SME Helpdesk IP Business Advisor Mr. Matias Zubimendi will focus on Covid-19 and its impact to IP protection in China. Mr. Zubimendi will start by providing an overview of the policies taken by the Chinese Government on IPR issues during the pandemic, including the measures taken by the CNIPA, focusing on the fast-track procedures for patents and trademarks, the time limits and the technical assistance available to SMEs.

The second part of Mr. Zubimendi' s presentation will focus on the more practical aspects of IP protection during the times of pandemic, with Mr. Zubimendi providing tips for SMEs for IP protection during and after quarantine. Topics like trade secret protection, e-commerce and the importance of investing in IP protection will be discussed. For example, during the coronavirus outbreak many SMEs implement work from home policies and as employees use their own computers and various means of communication, company's trade secrets become more vulnerable to misappropriation. Mr. Zubimendi will highlight the importance of trade secrets and share tips on how to protect these during the times when different working arrangements are required. Similarly, Mr. Zubimendi will also explain how SMEs can fight online counterfeiting in the most cost-effective way and stress the importance of investing in IP protection during the virus outbreak.