Wuxi to host international design spectacular

The China International Design Expo is to be held in Wuxi, Jiangsu province, from May 25 to 27, organizers announced in Beijing on Friday.

With more than 10,000 designs from 100 companies and institutions to be displayed in an area of more than 20,000 square meters, the expo is to showcase China's strength in industrial designs, Sun Haidong, head of the Wuxi bureau of science and technology, said at a news conference.

The event will help increase intellectual property awareness, create an IP-friendly atmosphere and build the city into a design protection center in China, Sun noted.

The expo has grown into a venue of design exhibition, commercialization, networking and international cooperation, since it debuted in 2000, said Zhu Mingang, chairman of the Intellectual Property Publishing House.

Designs have a close connection with IP, as their protection may involve patents, trademarks and copyrights, Zhu said.

Under China's legal system, industrial designs are one of three patent types. The other two are invention patents and utility models.

Revolving around the themes of new designs, intelligent manufacturing and better life, this year's event will include two forums where IP and design experts and specialists will share their insights into the protection of industrial designs and new technologies' effect on future designs.

The Taihu Design Award has highlighted the expo since it was launched in 2011. The award was named after Taihu Lake, one of five large freshwater lakes in the country, which is a popular tourist attraction in Wuxi.

Organizers have received nearly 40,000 entries from more than 20 countries over eight years. Electronics maker Xiaomi and home appliances manufacturers Haier and Little Swan were among the winners at previous sessions.

This year's awards are divided into two categories of creativity and products. The difference between them lies in the former's focus on concept designs without mass production.

The competition started in December and entries can be submitted until April 26. They include electronics, telecommunication, transportation, healthcare, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, wearable devices, environmental protection, home appliances, sports, education and entertainment.

Organizers said they have invited Peter Zec, CEO of Red Dot, an international design competition, and renowned Japanese designer Toshiyuki Kita to join this year's judging panel. The award ceremony is slated to take place on May 26.

In addition, a smart city partner program will roll out at the expo, which is designed to introduce high-quality designers, IP service providers, financial institutions and hightech startup business incubators to Wuxi in a bid to improve the city's IP system and inject vigor into its smart city construction, said the organizers.

Government data show that the China National Intellectual Property Administration handled 667,000 patent applications for industrial designs and more than 8 million filings for trademarks in 2018.

The protection period for an industrial design will be extended from 10 to 15 years, according to the new amendments to the Patent Law. The draft is still under review, preparing China for joining the Hague system concerning the international registration of industrial designs, CNIPA officials said