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As usual, we have dig past all the blogodreck to get to the source material. And, as is typical of third-rate bloggers, there's no link to the original source. The "100 year vision" policy document they're quoting is speech by Wen Jiabao, addressed to the Communist Party of China, which he heads. The blog article attaches importance to the line "China is at the primary stage of socialism, and will remain so for a long time to come." That's a quote from the Chinese constitution. That line was changed back in 1993, which reflected some economic liberalization. Jiabao is making the point that there's no policy change. Overall, it's a "stay the course" speech; the current course is working.

The more specific technology plans are from a draft plan for medium and long term development, with the main site for the projects here.

China's major trading partners are, like China itself, mixed economies in which both state and private initiatives are important. For primers, in English, on the intellectual property law of China: Ministry of Science and Technology: Policies and Regulations When China joined the WTO, Microsoft became the first foreign company to admitted into China's government-sanctioned software industry trade association.

Think again: Ministry of Science and Technology: Policies and Regulations

As for copyright: The Chinese government is interested in protecting its domestic cultural institututions and industries from cheap (pirated) foreign imports. It also would also like to see Chinese culture exported as successfully and profitably as the Western product.

Patent Law
Trademark Law
Copyright Law
Technology Contract law
Product Quality Law

Required reading for anyone tempted to post a comment on the IP law of China: Ministry of Science and Technology: Laws and Regulations

Topics:

Patent Law
Trademark Law
Copyright Law
Technology Contract Law
Product Quality Law

Freedom to buy alcohol and cigarettes without a license or age requirement

Shops ignore the law, but sales of alcohol and tobacco to minors is illegal in China and you are expected to show your ID. People's Daily Online: Law stresses ban on underage booze sales

This should be required reading before posting on IP law and China: Ministry of Science and Technology: Laws and Regulations

In Emglish translation:

The Patent Law of the People's Republic of China
Trademark Law of the People's Republic of China
Coyright Law of the People's Republic of China
Technology Contract Law of the People's Republic of China
Product Quality Law of the People's Republic of China

For an introduction in English to the Intellectual Property Law of China: Ministry of Science and Technology: Laws and Regulations. China's IP law is modeled on that of its world trading partners, but with many opportunites for the state to intervene in the national interest.

Microsoft was the first foreign company admitted into the China Software Industry Association. Microsoft Joins in China Software Industry Association (People's Daily Online, June 17, 2002)

China has brought intellectual property law into sych with it's major trading partners. Ministry of Science and Tecnlogy: Laws and Regulations

You do not maintain your position in world trade by ignoring the WTO. WTO China Updates

Microsoft was the first foreign company to gain admission to the China Software Industry Association. Microsoft Joins in China Software Industry Association (2002)

China's Intellectual Property Law has been brought into synch with the WTO and it's major trading partners. The Ministry of Science and Technology: Laws and Regulations

Chinese films with a significant North American market are released as Region 1 DVDs. Films of China The Chinese government is not adverse to box-office success, commercial production, foreign investment and distribution. Chinese Film Industry To Be Established (2003)

For an introduction to the intellectual property law of China: Ministry of Science and Technology: Laws and Regulations Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights, etc. Why does it always come as a surprise on Slashdot when an international trader brings it's laws into synch with it's major trading partners?

The intellectual property law of China is modeled on that of it's major trading partners, including the United States, which should surprise no one. Laws and Regulations Does it ever occur to anyone on Slashdot that China might want to protect the market for it's own cultural exports?

Business models that rely on the sale of information are doomed...they essentially rake in mountains of cash for doing nothing except copying digital media, which is now practically free

Distribution is not production. Production is not free. The Lord of the Rings trilogy cost $273 million. You could, of course, settle for The Mousetrap, as it is staged and performed in high school.

BitTorrent downloads, all forms of digital media, are "free" only if you have a middle-class income or higher or your media fix is being subsidized by the Bank of Mom & Dad. Media-capable PCs cost money, Broadband costs money. Surcharges for Gigabyte downloads costs money. The theatrical experience in the home costs money.

and what does that get you? The Chinese law of intellectual property is built on the western model. Copyright Law of People's Republic of China Enforcement is erratic. But if Chinese films, videos, etc., gain significant, paying, audiences in the states, don't you think the government would move very quickly to protect them?

The government can absorb IP rights in the interests of state security. But in general you'll find few surprises here. Laws and Regulations (Intellectual Property Rights)

Laws and Regulations provides links to English language translations of the Chinese law of copyright, trademarks, patents, etc. There is not much here that would look unfamiliar to the U.S. or any of it's major trading partners. No one is expecting any immeadiate changes on the street, but building a solid IP portfolio is beginning to look like a good business practice even in China. Microsoft Notebook: Piracy battle is key in China

world trading partners tend to share certain interests and values, among them the principle of reciprocity. Patent Law of the People's Republic of China (Article 18)

It's an interesting read that demolishes Slashdot myths. Successful world traders tend to share certain values. You'll find english language links here to the Chinese law of copyright, trademark, etc.