The organisers of World Expo 2010 Shanghai will restrict the
taking of photos and shooting of videos in the exhibition halls of
the event to protect the intellectual property rights of Expo
participants and to prevent their work being copied or
counterfeited.
The proposed restrictions were released in a recently published
protection guide based on IPR regulations in China which were
especially formulated for World Expo participants.
Visitors will not be allowed to videotape, make recordings or
take photos without the permission of the organisers and
participants during any of the exhibitions, forums or public
performances.
As well as setting up warning signs in front of the exhibition
halls, the organisers have issued a guide of 10 further measures
being taken to emphasize the importance of IPR protection and
inform the public of their responsibility to respect the rights of
the participants.
"We must respect the rights of the participants," said Zhang
Keqin, director of Legal Affairs Department in the Bureau of
Shanghai World Expo Coordination.
"We hope visitors take as many pictures as they like, but if any
of the participants have any of these requirements, we will fully
cooperate with them."
The guide also revealed certain measures to prevent preemptive
registration during the Expo Shanghai.
The organisers will grant exhibition items and performances
special certificates which can guarantee their patents in China
during the six months' exhibiting period, preventing the same
products, though coming out later, but being registered ahead of
them.
Because of the possible inconvenience for people who want to
communicate with the relevant departments, the Bureau intends to
establish an institute which will gather together officials from
the various departments to deal with IPR issues.
Also, the organisers will recommend qualified IPR agencies to
assist participants who want to patent their products.
The guide, passed at the Fourth Meeting of the Organizing
Committee on January 12 after a 12-month preparation, has been
reviewed several times by the Bureau of International
Exhibitions.
"IPR protection is very important to the Expo," Zhang said.
"Cultivating a good legal environment will be good in the long run
for China. We should start early and be fully prepared."
The guide is being passed along to all Expo participants and
detailed regulations are expected to be published later this
year.
The biggest problem that the Bureau has had to confront during
the process of setting up IPR protection is the fear of massive
counterfeiting of Expo products and performances, Zhang said.
"As the cost of fighting counterfeiting is very high,
precautions are quite necessary." Zhang said. "And we will also
take measures to enhance the public's awareness of IPR."
(Shanghai Daily March 21, 2007)