China seems to be getting serious about intellectual property rights (IPR) enforcement. Its recent "Dragon Boat Action" campaign has increased IPR infringement cases investigations and infringing goods seizures by 52% and 80%, respectively, over the same period last year.

In late October 2007, the Customs office in Fuzhou, China confiscated 20 boxes of fake “Superking” and “LNB ” cigarettes at the mail delivery channel - the 65th such infringement case at the location investigated by Fuzhou Customs since the Dragon Boat Action campaign was launched that month.

The operation, the largest scale IPR enforcement action ever in recent years, was launched by the General Administration of Customs and carried out in all Customs offices across the country. Lasting from October 1, 2007 to March 31, 2008, it has borne fruitful results – with the national Customs investigating more than 1,300 IPR infringement cases (import and export) and seizing at least 170 million infringing goods, increasing the numbers by 52% and 80% respectively over the same period last year.

Shenzhen Customs covered the Yantian and Shekou ports – focusing their attention on transport channels like freight, post and express mail and export destinations like America, Europe and Japan. Assisted by an advanced analysis system, officials have cracked down on more than 130 infringement cases in just three months, including those involving high values, huge amounts and famous brands.

Shanghai Customs detected 143 infringement cases also in just three months – involving about 2.8 million pieces of suspected goods, valued at nearly 8 million yuan – effectively curbing the import and export of infringing goods through Shanghai Port.

Gongbei Customs researched different ports and adopted effective measures such as organizing training programs in IPR protection and infringed goods identification, and promoting risk analysis techniques to improve Customs’ investigative abilities. They investigated 41 IP infringement cases, with a total value of 2.35 million yuan.

Chengdu Customs strengthened on-the-spot supervision and risk analysis regarding the goods transported to America and the European Union; and increased monitoring of high-risk goods and those exported to specific regions (for example, toys, shoes and clothes during the Christmas season). They also improved the examination of post parcels and express mails to America and EU, especially those declared as "CD" or "software".

Other cities like Xiamen, Kunming, Guangzhou, Changchun, Qingdao, etc. have also done their share of investigating infringing cases involving export and import goods.

All this is good news not just for China, but for the rest of the IP world. The Chinese Customs’ use of better risk analysis techniques and more modern customs check equipment – and their improved control, examination and supervision of goods imported or exported through freight, mail or express – strengthens law enforcement, IP protection and China’s reputation in intellectual property.