IPR Considerations in China for European SMEs in the ICT Industries

Underpinned by the Government’s commitment to digital transformation of industry and construction of digital society, the ICT market in China is booming, offering market opportunities to many EU SMEs. In this fast-paced industry, dependent on innovative solutions, intellectual property (IP) is of utmost importance. The protection of IP rights in China should be a key part of your business strategy, whether entering or expanding operations in China. While some IPR issues are common to all types of European companies doing business in China, others are specific to the ICT industries. Such industry-specific issues include software protection by patents and standard essential patents. This guide focuses on the top IPR issues for European ICT businesses in China.