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China, U.S. A/C Groups Sign Intellectual Property MOU Feb 6, 2007 |
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A memorandum of understanding to strengthen intellectual property rights (IPR) protection was signed between major U.S. and Chinese air-conditioning and refrigeration industry organizations during the Air Conditioning, Refrigeration and Heating (AHR) Expo held in Dallas last week. The exhibition companies behind the largest U.S. and Chinese industry trade shows also signed the agreement.
The MOU was signed Jan. 29 by:
- Robert Wilkins, chairman of the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI)
- Lynn Bellenger, vice president of The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)
- International Exposition Company President Clay Stevens
- Zhao Rui, representing China Refrigeration
- Zhang Ping, representing the Chinese Association of Refrigeration
- Chen Feng, representing the Beijing International Exhibition Centre
Under the agreement, all six organizations agreed that zero-tolerance policies for counterfeit products should be enforced and procedures should be established that assist trade show exhibitors who encounter IPR violations. The six parties also agreed to increase communication and collaboration to facilitate development of education and training programs that build awareness of the protection of intellectual property among all industry segments.