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Microsoft's Windows Genuine Advantage Initiative and the Protection of Intellectual Property Rights in China
Computer software companies are afraid that Chinese courts are not doing enough to protect their intellectual property rights. Therefore, companies are implementing systems to protect their ownership rights without the assistance of Chinese courts. Microsoft is one of the companies that are trying to protect their ownership rights, it is using an end-user's acceptance of its licensing agreement to allow a program to access a user's computer and notify that user if he or she is using unlicensed software.
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The Impact of Bilski on Business Method Patent
The decision of United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ("CAFC") on the appeal In Re Bilski clarifies its tightened standards on what processes are patentable subject matters and sheds light on future examination and enforcement of business method patents. By comparing the examination criteria for business method patents under the U.S. patent law and Chinese patent law, the article provides advice on the issues that applicants should pay additional attention to while drafting claims to increase the chance of success in patent applications.
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Tax Issues Related to Intellectual Property Transfer of the Foreign Enterprise to China Transferee
Cross-border intellectual property ("IP") transfer has been growing rapidly in international trade. IP transfers may be accomplished by various methods, which may have different tax consequences. This article examines tax policies related to cross-border IP transfers in China and discusses corresponding tax planning considerations.