On August 29, Lifang partner Mr. Xie Guanbin attended the 2012 China/U.S. Legal Exchange and spoke as the commentator of the Chinese side. The forum this year focuses on the U.S. intellectual property law system and practice and the legal system governing retail on the internet. After the U.S delegation briefed the audience on the latest development of U.S. IP legislation and enforcement, Mr. Xie commented that the latest change in U.S. legislation represents a trend of confluence of different legal systems. Mr. Xie said that as the U.S and China, the largest developed country and the largest developing country respectively, follow different legal traditions, it is very important for the governments and experts of two countries to have regular legal exchange. He pointed out that the legal system itself could not be absolutely superior or inferior, and any transplantation of other systems had to conform to demands of the local culture and tradition. Regarding IP law enforcement in China, Mr. Xie observed that with the steep rise of IP registration in recent years, law enforcement would face unprecedented pressures.

The event is sponsored by Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM), State Council Legislative Affairs Office (SCLAO) and the U.S. Department of Commerce, and co-hosted by MOFCOM Trade Development Bureau. The U.S delegation, lead by U.S. Department of Commerce General Counsel Cameron Kerry, consists of IP practitioners from USPTO, U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC), law firms and e-commerce entities. MOFCOM Vice Minister Chong Quan presided over the event for the Chinese side. More than 100 government officials, scholars and representatives from the business sector attended the forum.