navigating the patent maze

China’s State Intellectual Property Office (SIPO) granted 58,000 patents in 2006; more than half were granted to foreigners.  According to SIPO, there has been a rise of patent applications from overseas since China’s entry into the World Trade Organization.  Yet, a recent survey from the China Association of Enterprises with Foreign Investment revealed that IPR-related issues are a vital factor for decision-making by companies with foreign investment.  About 68% of the surveyed multi-national organizations answered that IPR is one of the top three problems for doing business in China.  Not surprisingly, trademark infringement is the number one concern.