The 6th WIPO-Tongji International Intellectual Property Forum was successfully held at the Siping Road Campus of Tongji University on June 27-28, 2023. The forum was jointly organized by the United Nations World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and Tongji University, hosted by the Shanghai International College of Intellectual Property (SICIP) of Tongji University, and supported by the Shanghai Intellectual Property Society.

Welcome speeches were delivered by Ms. Martha Chikowore, Acting Head of Academic Institutions and Executive Programs at the WIPO Academy, and Prof. Yu Xinmiao, Executive Dean of SICIP, Tongji University. The forum invited experts and scholars from universities and organizations at home and abroad, including the World Intellectual Property Organization, the Max Planck Institute for Innovation and Competition, the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, the University of Tokyo, the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Queensland University of Technology, Tsinghua University, Peking University, Fudan University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Wuhan University, ShanghaiTech University，the Shanghai People's Procuratorate, Beshinging Law & IP , King & Wood Mallesons Law Firm, Unitalen Attorneys at Law. Keynote speeches, comments, and discussions were held on four themes: Digital transformation and Intellectual Property (IP), IP-Driven Innovation and Entrepreneurship, IP management and regulation in the digital age, and Copyright and IP business.

I. Digital Transformation and IP

Session I on Digital Transformation and Intellectual Property was moderated by Associate Professor Dang Jianwei, Deputy Dean of SICIP, Tongji University. Professor Kazuyuki Motohashi from the University of Tokyo, Prosecutor Lu Chuan from the Shanghai People's Procuratorate, Dr. Zheng Panpan from the School of Economics and Management at Wuhan University, and Assistant Professor Lucy Xiaolu Wang from the University of Massachusetts Amherst shared their insights on competition in the digital era, focusing on platform and IP strategies. The session also included comments and discussions from Associate Professor Li Xibao from the School of Economics and Management, Tsinghua University, and Assistant Professor Liu Xia from SICIP, Tongji University.

II. IP-Driven Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Session II on IP-Driven Innovation and Entrepreneurship was chaired by Prof. Jiang Nan, Deputy Dean of SICIP, Tongji University. Presentations were given by Associate Professor Zheng Wen from the School of Entrepreneurship and Management, ShanghaiTech University, Associate Professor Chang Xuhua from SICIP, Tongji University, and Dr. Ann-Christin Kreyer from the Max Planck Institute for Innovation and Competition. They shared their insights on the financial market reactions to international patent disclosures and grants. The session also included comments and discussions from Associate Professor Gao Ming from the School of Economics, Peking University, Mr. Wang Weibin, Managing Partner of Beshinging Law & IP, and Mr. Benjamin Bai from King & Wood Mallesons Law Firm.

III. IP Management and Regulation in the Digital Age

Session III on IP management and regulation in the digital age was moderated by Prof. Shan Xiaoguang of the SICIP, Tongji University. Ms. Rafael Ferraz Vazque, Legal Officer at Copyright and Creative Industries Sector, WIPO, Assistant Professor WooJung Jon of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, and Associate Professor Yang Hong of the SICIP, Tongji University, shared their insights on the legal and managerial issues on IP management in the digital era, with comments and discussions from Associate Professor Liu Wei of the Koguan School of Law, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and Dr. Xi Xingben of the Unitalen Attorneys at Law.

IV. Copyright and IP Business

Session IV on copyright and IP business was moderated by Prof. Cui Guobin of the School of Law, Tsinghua University. Ms. Michele Woods, Director of the Copyright Law Division, WIPO, Professor Kamal Puri of the Queensland University of Technology, and Associate Professor Hua Jie of the SICIP, Tongji University, shared their insights on copyright protection in new digital platforms, with comments and discussions from Professor Ma Zhongfa of the School of Law, Fudan University, and Assistant Professor Wang Yukai of the SICIP, Tongji University.

The forum was held in parallel with the Program Completion Defense Meeting and the 2023 Graduation and Degree Awarding Ceremony of WIPO-Tongji Master’s Degree Program and Belt and Road Master’s Degree Program.