U.S. Legislators Urge China to Improve IPR Enforcement Mechanisns

On July 14, 2004, the U.S. House of Representatives passed by 416-3 H.RES.576 entitled "Urging the Government of the People's Republic of China to improve its protection of intellectual property rights, and for other purposes." The non-binding resolution states that "the market value of counterfeit goods in China is between $19,000,000,000 and $24,000,000,000 annually" and that the "proof-of-sale requirement totaling approximately $24,100 for business enterprises and $6,030 for individuals (according to current exchange rates) makes criminal prosecution against those enterprises or individuals that violate intellectual property rights extremely difficult."