Rouse's China Practice Receives Top IP Award Again


Rouse China has gained further recognition for its leading IP practice. For the second year running, Rouse was awarded the China Law & Practice China IP Firm of the Year at the CLP awards dinner on 23 September. The award recognises Rouse's growing China litigation team in particular as a sophisticated and high achieving practice.

Luke Minford, Country Manager for Rouse China, believes the award also reflects a change in the landscape and a growing sophistication amongst its clients in tackling IP issues. 'Of course we're delighted to have our position in the industry recognised by CLP. However, this is also about rightsholders now bringing strategically important technology and brands to China, and understanding that only through the courts will they bring economic deterrent to their enforcement strategy. That is an important step in China's progress towards creating a proper system for IP protection.'

In the last five years, Rouse has handled many significant cases in China, ranging from trade mark infringement and unfair competition claims to complex patent infringement and high profile copyright cases. Earlier this year, Rouse filed its 150th IP litigation case in China. These litigation cases include landmark IP decisions that have received awards and recognition from major Chinese state bodies, such as the State Intellectual Property Office, and private rightsholder organisations, such as QBPC. Rouse's submission for the 2009 CLP China IP Firm of the Year award included litigation cases in all major areas of IP that were recognised as leading cases by the Supreme People's Court and other senior Chinese IP courts in Shanghai, Guangzhou and Zhejiang.

Despite the global financial crisis, Rouse has continued to grow its practice in China in the last 12 months with senior hires in each of the litigation, patent and trade mark practice areas. Linda Chang, Deputy Country Manager for Rouse China, who accepted the award last night on behalf of Rouse, commented: 'The massive commitment of the Chinese Government to IP as demonstrated by its National IP Strategy will only see the landscape improve for domestic and foreign rightsholders alike. I expect to see more and more businesses trusting the IP system as they look to China for commercial opportunities as the economic position improves.'