According to a circular released by the general office of the State Council on Dec 29, the Chinese government has rolled out its reform plan to clarify the fiscal authorities and expenditure responsibilities between the central and local governments in intellectual property rights (IPR).

The reform mainly focuses on matters in general IPR management, IPR authorization and confirmation, IPR application and promotion, IPR protection, IPR public services, and foreign-related work on IPR.

Positive roles of the central and local governments will be given full play in the field as they have clear and optimized relations in their powers and responsibilities, the circular said.

The central government, it said, will have more fiscal authorities in IPR protection. Meanwhile, the common fiscal powers of the central and local governments will be reduced and standardized to give more autonomy to local governments.

The reform aims to establish balanced central-local fiscal relations with clear duties and coordinated financial abilities, as well as form a stable system based on fiscal levels for governments at all levels in authorities and expenditure responsibilities.

While strengthening IPR protection on all fronts, work will be done to improve the protection in new business patterns; safeguard national security in the IPR; enhance legal protection; and further raise the level of IPR creation, application, protection, management and service, the circular said.