China is strengthening its intellectual property laws much faster than many realize. Intellectual Property Rights infringement has been a longstanding issue in China, but as patent laws have developed, foreign firms are saying there are signs of progress. In late April, China’s Ministry of Public Security launched one of the most dramatic piracy busts […]
Not A Hollywood Ending: Are Hollywood films losing luster in China?
Learning how to please Chinese audiences without alienating moviegoers in the US is becoming crucial for Hollywood as box office receipts stagnate in home market but explode in China. Quarterly ticket revenues in China surpassed those in North America for the first time ever in the first three months of 2018, with Chinese cinemas netting $3.15 billion compared to $2.85 billion in Canada and the US. Those figures were boosted by massive takings during the Lunar New Year holiday, always a peak time for Chinese cinemas, but China could become the world’s largest film market in whole-year terms in 2019.
Staying Legal in China: an Interview with Dan Harris
For foreigners, doing business in China is tempting but challenging. Aside from all the difficulties of language, culture and social conventions, the most difficult challenge is understanding local laws and regulations in order to proactively protect your company’s operations and assets. Dan Harris, an attorney at his Seattle-based law firm Harris Bricken, has been helping clients navigate China’s legal landscape for almost 15 years. Since 2006, he has co-authored the China Law Blog, which delivers practical knowledge of Chinese law as it impacts on business. In this interview, Harris discusses legal issues important to companies doing business in China, including compliance, corruption and IP protection.
Alibaba’s Massive IP Protection Challenge
Alibaba, China’s largest e-commerce firm, recently smashed global records for its ‘Single’s Day’ promotion on 11th November 2015, selling $14.3 billion worth of merchandise in just 24 hours. This is the equivalent to 120,000 orders placed every minute, covering both online spaces such as Taobao and Tmall as well as 180,000 brick and mortar sites across 330 cities in China. The numbers are staggering, but they also show a problem with the sheer scale of selling—how to ensure the quality and authenticity, of goods. Alibaba is now tightening the screws on fake goods being sold on its platforms, but can it stay one step ahead of counterfeiters?
China’s Online Entertainment Industry: Revenue Streaming
If there’s one activity that unites China’s subway commuters, it’s huddling over their smartphone screens to watch the latest local, South Korean or Western TV shows downloaded or streamed from one of China’s many video websites. They’re part of a wider trend where more and more consumers are heading online to find their entertainment, and government statistics show music and video are the fourth and fifth most popular uses for the internet, respectively. But for all the prodigious growth, monetizing the interest has been a different matter. That is largely due to a pervasive culture of free, on-demand content, but that may be set to change.
The Xiaomi Business Model: Built to Last?
Xiaomi has attained an enviable position in the Chinese smartphone market. But will its current strategies help it retain its prized spot as it gains scale?
Can Patents Disrupt Xiaomi’s Dream Run?
As it pushes for internationalization, what is Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi up against?
British Chip Designer ARM on How to Win in China
Allen Wu, chip designer ARMʼs Greater China President, on how the company is navigating Chinaʼs increasingly treacherous environment for foreign companies.
Brain Power: The Patent Buying Spree of Chinese Tech Companies
Chinese tech companies are stocking up on patent purchases, but is it anything more than share price padding?
Face-off! MNCs versus Chinese Companies
In China’s fast-changing business environment, multinational companies are finding it increasingly hard to compete with Chinese companies. Our experts offer strategy tips that will help MNCs navigate China’s business landscape. Multinational companies (MNCs) in China are finding it hard to navigate what is an increasingly rough terrain. The economy is slowing, the cost of doing business in China is rising, and to add […]
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