Seventy Percent of US Business in China Values Protection of IP Critically Or Very Important

The American Chamber of Commerce in China (AmCham-China) launched its 2010 Business Climate Survey Report. It seems here too the climate is heating up. IP relevant results are:

• In 2009 18 percent (company sample size 311) reported intellectual property rights infringements issues as a top-five business challenge.
• In 2010 this has grown to 19 percent (company sample size 318).

To the question (company sample size 277) 'How important is the protection of intellectual property rights to your business?' in 2010:

• 25 percent answered 'critically important'
• 45 percent 'very important'
• 19 percent 'slightly important'
• 11 percent 'not important'

To the question 'How would you rate China's enforcement of intellectual property rights?'

In 2002 (company sample size 219): 21 percent 'totally ineffective', 63 percent 'ineffective' and 16 percent 'effective or very effective';

In 2004 (company sample size 210): 21 percent 'totally ineffective', 70 percent 'ineffective' and 9 percent 'effective or very effective';

In 2005 (company sample size 331): 15 percent 'totally ineffective', 65 percent 'ineffective' and 20 percent 'effective or very effective';

In 2008 (company sample size 389): 12 percent 'totally ineffective', 62 percent 'ineffective' and 26 percent 'effective or very effective';

In 2009 (company sample 129): 12 percent 'totally ineffective', 60 percent 'ineffective' and 26 percent 'effective or very effective';

In 2010 (company sample 146): 11 percent 'totally ineffective' , 63 percent 'ineffective' and 26 percent 'effective or very effective.

So in short the awareness of IP in China-issues as a major business challenge has risen marginally; 70 percent of business in China knows the importance of IP protection for their success in China; and 74 percent perceives that IP enforcement in China is totally ineffective or ineffective: which is about the same perception as in 2008.

On second thought: Because the samples were drastically smaller in 2009 and 2010, the survey for these years might be less representative.

See the 2010 business climate survey report here.