The Similar And Different Regulations
On Industrial Designs
Between China And Canada
He Zijing

Abstract:
With China entering WTO, more and more Chinese industrial designers want to apply internationally to register their designs outside China. This paper shows you the detailed comparison about regulations concerning industrial designs between China and Canada, gives some suggestions about the process to register internationally to protect Chinese applier. Some hints imposed on the difference between the two countries will help to improve our patent law.
KEYWORDS:
Industrial design, China, Canada
1. General introduction on industrial designs
1.1 What is an industrial design?
1.1.1 Of WIPO
An industrial design is the ornamental of aesthetic aspect of an article. The design may consist of three-dimensional features, such as the shape or surface of an article, or of two-dimensional features, such as patterns, lines or color. Industrial designs are applied to a wide variety of products of industry and handicraft. To be protected under most national laws, an industrial design must appeal to the eye. This means that an industrial design is primarily of an aesthetic nature, and does not protect any technical features of the article to which it is applied.
1.1.2 Of CHINA
Design in the Patent Law means any new design of the shape, the pattern or their combination, or the combination of the color with shape or pattern, of a product with creates an aesthetic feeling and it fits for industrial application.
1.1.3 Of CANADA
Design of industrial design means features of shape, configuration, pattern or ornament and any combination of those features that, in a finished article, appeal to and are judged solely by the eye.
1.2 Other forms of Intellectual Property
In China, Intellectual property can be generally classified as patent, copyright, trademark. Patents, or in other words, inventions-creations, mean inventions, utility models and designs. So that the designs are one of the subdivisions of patents.
Whereas, in Canada, in addition to industrial designs, there other forms of intellectual property, as patents, copyrights, and integrated circuit topographies. Hereby, patents cover new inventions (process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter), or any new and useful improvement of an existing invention. So that industrial designs have the equal statues to patents, as one of the subdivisions of intellectual property.
1.3 Why protect industrial designs?
Industrial designs are what make an article attractive and appealing; hence, they add to the commercial value of a product and increase its marketability.
When an industrial design is protected, the owner-the person or entity that has registered the design-is assured an exclusive right against unauthorized copying or imitation of the design by third parties. This helps to ensure a fair return on investment. An effective system of protection also benefits consumers and the public at large, by promoting fair competition and honest trade practices, encouraging creativity, and promoting more aesthetically attractive product.
Protecting industrial designs helps economic development, by encouraging creativity in the industrial and manufacturing sectors, as well as in the traditional arts and crafts. They contribute to the expansion of commercial activities and the export of national products.
Industrial designs can be relatively simple and inexpensive to develop and protect. They are reasonably accessible to small and medium-sized enterprises as well as to individual artists and craftsmen, in both industrialized and developing countries.
1.4 How can industrial designs be protected?
In most countries, an industrial design must be registered in order to be protected under Industrial Design Law. As for China, the regulations on design are under the Patent Law of People’s Republic of China (PRC) and its implementing regulations; As for Canada, The Industrial Design Act and Industrial Design Regulations details the regulations that govern design rights. As a general rule, to be registerable, the design must be “new” or “original”. Different countries have varying definitions of such terms, as well as variations in the registration process itself. Generally, “new” means that no identical or very similar design is known to have existed before.
Depending on the particular national law and the kind of design, an industrial design may also be protected as a work of art under copyright.
2.The main difference concerning registration
2.1 When to file an application
There is no time limit for filing an application as long as the design had never been published. The term “published” means that the design has been made public (even to your neighbors) or offered for commercial sale or use anywhere in the world. It is best to file an quickly as possible if publication has occurred.
In china, an design application does not lose its novelty where, within six months before the date of filing, one of the following events occurred: [1] where it was first exhibited at an international exhibition sponsored of recognized by the Chinese Government;[2]where it was first made public at a prescribed academic or technological meeting;[3]when it was disclosed by any person without the consent of the applicant.
In Canada, the design shall be refused to be registered if the application is filed more than one year after the publication of the design in Canada of somewhere.
2.2 who can apply?
Only the proprietor of a design may apply for and obtain registration for an industrial design both in China and Canada, while there exists little difference between the two countries on the question that who can be defined as proprietor.[1] usually you are considered the proprietor if you have created the design;[2] if you work together with other person to creat a design, you should file for registration as joint proprietors ( unless you are all working under contract or commission );[3] if you have acquired ownership of a design, then you may apply;[4] if you are employee of a company and develop design as part of your employment, then the employer may be the proprietor. In that case, only the employer may apply in Canada; while in china, the entity and the inventor or creator may enter into a contract in which the right to apply for and own the exclusive right is provided for;[5] if you have been hired under contract to develop design for someone else, then that person is the proprietor and is the only one entitled to apply for registration in Canada; whereas in that case in China, the right to apply for registration belongs, unless otherwise agreed upon, to the entity or individual that made the design.
2.3 What requirements to make designs registerable?
In Canada, the minister shall register the design if the minister finds that it is not identical with or dose not so closely resemble any other design already registered as to be confounded therewith, and shall return to the proprietor thereof the drawing or photograph and description with the certificate required.
In China, any design for which patent fight may be granted must not be identical with and similar to any design which, before the date of falling has been publicly disclosed in publications in the country or abroad or has been publicly used in the country, and must not be in conflict with any prior right of any other person.
2.4 What you cannot register?
In Canada, you cannot register the following under the Industrial Design Act: [1] Designs that are utilitarian only and which are not intended to provide visual appeal; [2] Designs that have no fixed appearance; [3] Designs for components that are not clearly visible; [4] a method of construction; [5] an idea; [6] materials used in the construction of an article; [7] the useful function of the article; or [8] color.
In China, for any of the following, no patent right shall be granted: [1] scientific discoveries;[2] rules and methods for mental activities;[3] methods for diagnoses or for the treatment for the diseases;[4] animal and plant varieties;[5] substances obtained by means of nuclear transformation.
From the above regulations, we can see that the Chinese regulations is more generic for all of the three types of creation-inventions; and the Canadian’s is more special in detail on designs. So we should absorb some of them in our implementing regulations of patent law.
2.5 searching of office record prior to filing an application
Prior to filing an application, you may wish to conduct a search of office records in order to better determine whether your design is truly new and original. This will give you the opportunity to see other registered designs. You should also keep your design confidential.
2.6 How long the process takes?
In Canada, the Office dose not register any design until six months after the date of filing. Normally it takes between eight and twelve months to have your application examined. While in china, there is no such kind of provisions concerning the term of process of designs.
2.7 Duration of protection
Both in the two countries, duration of protection of industrial designs is for ten-year term, while the beginning date is quite different. In Canada, it is the date of registration-usually six months after the date of filing; in china, it is the date of filing. Once the ten-year term has expired, anyone is free to make, import, rent or sell etc., the designs.
2.8 Extension of protection
In Canada, your application must include a description which identifies the features that constitute the design since the court may use your description to help determine the limits of protection for your design, you should word your description with care and precision. If your description is too broad, you may over-extend the scope of the design, and it may be impossible to enforce. If it is too narrow, you may limit the scope of the design or leave out features that you intended to protect.
农业部办公厅


农业部办公厅关于加强国庆节期间和今年秋冬季渔业安全生产管理工作的通知

农办渔[2008]67号


各省、自治区、直辖市及计划单列市渔业主管厅（局），各海区渔政局：

　　当前海洋伏季休渔期结束，各地已经进入秋冬渔业生产旺季，同时也进入了渔业船舶水上事故和涉外事件多发期。根据《国务院安委会办公室关于做好国庆节期间安全生产工作的通知》（安委办明电[2008]18号）精神，为有效遏制和减少渔业船舶水上重、特大生产安全事故及涉外事件发生，确保渔业安全生产形势平稳，现就加强国庆节期间和今年秋冬季渔业安全生产管理工作有关事项通知如下：

　　一、切实加强组织领导，强化落实安全生产责任制。各级渔业行政主管部门和有关单位要切实加强国庆节期间和秋冬季渔业安全生产工作的领导，牢固树立“以人为本，安全发展”的理念，增强责任感和使命感，要精心组织，周密部署，落实各级渔业安全生产责任制。要认真总结今年以来各地抗御台风等自然灾害取得的经验，结合安全生产百日督查和隐患排查治理专项行动中发现的问题，针对薄弱环节和重点部位，研究制定严密的防范措施，特别是重点加强国庆长假前后对渔业船舶非法载客的整治力度，防止重特大生产安全事故发生，确保渔民群众度过一个平安、祥和的节日。

　　二、深入开展隐患排查治理工作，确保渔船安全适航。各地区、各单位要针对秋冬季渔业生产船舶集中、易发生事故的特点，继续深入做好渔业安全生产隐患排查治理工作。检查人员要深入渔区、渔港码头和渔船集中停泊点，对渔船持有有效“船舶检验证、船舶登记证、捕捞许可证”情况，渔船编队生产制度落实情况，船员配备和适任情况，进出港签证申请情况，船舶通讯、救生、消防、信号设备等配备和运行情况，渔港安全基础设施、通信岸台系统配备及运行情况，渔民安全生产教育培训、船员持证上岗等进行全面检查。重点加强对生产作业危险较大、船员人数较多渔船以及老旧渔船的监督检查，及时治理、整改存在隐患，确保渔业船舶安全航行作业设备齐全、完好，运转正常，务必做到各项安全措施落实到位。要加强渔业行政执法船舶在商船习惯航线附近的巡航监管力度，及时提醒渔民避开商船习惯航线锚泊或作业。

　　三、强化宣传教育，切实增强渔民海上安全生产意识。

　　各地区、各单位要坚持开展渔业安全生产宣传教育工作，结合今年渔业水上重大事故多发的严峻形势，切实教育出海作业渔民把握生产季节海上作业规律，遵守海上作业规范，提高安全生产和防范涉外事件意识，随时做好遇险自救互救措施准备。特别要针对渔船与商船碰撞事故和风灾事故高发的现状，进一步强化渔民海上安全航行技能培训和应急操作训练，有效提高渔民遵守航行作业规则的自觉性和技能水平。同时，及时通过渔业安全通讯网提醒海上航行渔船认真履行船员值班了望职责，正确使用号灯号型，督促渔民按时收听气象预报预警，注意观察和掌握海上天气变化，遇有台风、风暴潮、低温、大雾、海冰等灾害性天气及时采取防范措施。

　　四、贯彻应急预案，及时处置渔业突发事件。各地区、各单位要坚持“安全第一，预防为主，综合治理”的方针，切实加强对渔业安全生产工作的领导。认真贯彻《渔业船舶水上安全突发事件应急预案》，完善本级渔业应急预案，保证24小时应急值班制度执行到位。确保渔业安全通信网畅通运行，信息及时准确、有效传递。及时掌握和跟踪渔业相关自然灾害、生产安全事故等突发事件信息，做好灾害、事故预防、预警和处置工作。根据专业气象台站预报预警信息，及早部署落实防灾措施，适时启动本级渔业应急预案。各级渔业行政主管部门及其渔政渔港监督机构要积极组织渔业突发事件海域附近的渔船和所辖渔业行政执法船舶，及时参与救助工作。要充分发挥渔船编队生产组织作用，及时应对突发事件，开展渔船遇险自救互救。

　　五、加大监管力度，减少渔业涉外事件发生。做好涉外渔业管理工作关系到渔民生命财产安全和渔业的健康发展，关系到维护我国政治、经济、社会稳定发展的全局。各地区、各单位要高度重视，落实涉外渔业管理工作责任制。各级渔业行政主管部门和渔政执法机构要继续与有关部门配合，做好各项双边渔业协定的组织实施和监督管理工作，严禁越界捕捞。禁止我国未经批准和无许可证的渔船进入周边国家管辖水域作业。指导和规范我渔船严格按照规定条件入渔，避免无谓的技术性违规事件。充分发挥有关联合监管机制的作用，维护正常渔业秩序，保证各项渔业合作协定和有关协议的顺利实施。着重做好南沙海域、西沙海域、边境水域、朝韩交界海域、朝鲜以东海域及其他重点水域的涉外渔业监督管理工作，强化专属经济区渔政巡航执法工作，加大对渔业涉外违法违规行为的监督检查和处罚力度，以防止和减少发生涉外事件。继续加强对北太平洋鱿钓渔船的监管，严厉查处我渔船使用大型流网捕鱼行为。

　　 二〇〇八年九月二十四日