At an event held at the University of West London on the 17.11.11 at the request of the People’s Republic of China, Dids Macdonald, Vice-Chair of The Alliance against IP Theft and CEO of ACID (Anti Copying in Design) and Jennifer Castoldi, ACID’s Development Director gave a comprehensive presentation on UK design issues to the 25-strong Chinese delegation. The delegates were all senior directors or influencers of a Chinese Government research programme.
The delegation were on an information gathering exercise, specifically looking for examples of the way intellectual property in all its various forms is protected in the UK and the extent of the effect of IP theft on businesses. Their main objectives were to get a good grasp of best practice in the UK and consider whether this is something appropriate for use in China.
Amongst their other objectives was to find out the current government position on design issues, to hear ACID’s views on current priorities and responsibilities, and to understand ACID’s business model. Primarily they wanted to hear from ACID about the effect of IP theft on design-led sme’s and how the organisation tackles various IP infringement issues.
The invitation from the Chinese Delegation was sent to The Alliance against IP Theft, to which ACID has strong ties. Other presentations that took place during the 2 day event included the Publishers Association Copyright Infringement Portal (a global automated search, and cease and desist notification service for books, newspaper and magazine publishers), as well as an overview of the Alliance against IP Theft from Director General Susie Winter. Presentations also encompassed information about the Enforcement Policy Council from Chris Oldknow of Microsoft Europe on counterfeit software and from the UK music industry and copyright, and the relation between IP and growth in emerging markets.
Expressing thanks to the senior representative Mr Li Jianguo, Head of the Chinese Government Delegation, Dids Macdonald said, “We hope that this is the beginning of on-going and formative dialogue with the Chinese Government to work together collaboratively and positively to raise awareness about the importance of best practice across all aspects of IP issues in support of the creative industries globally”. Macdonald continued, “I am encouraged that through the Alliance against IP Theft, ACID and other key organisations were selected by the Chinese government to be invited to demonstrate ways in which heuristic solutions and business models can help various different sectors in different ways.”
Responding, Mr Li Jianguo, Head of the Chinese Government Delegation said, “ACID is an excellent example of an organisation providing an effective conduit between government and industry on design IP issues”.