A virtual conference on trade secrets protection and digital piracy prevention held by Taiwan, Japan and the U.S. under the Global Cooperation and Training Framework kicked off Oct. 15 in Taipei City, underscoring the like-minded partners’ commitment to protecting intellectual property rights in the digital economy era.
Organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, American Institute in Taiwan and Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association, the two-day event spotlights the latest developments in the IPR field.
Delivering his opening remarks, MOFA Deputy Minister Tien Chung-kwang said the race to develop 5G technology amid intensifying trade competition shows countries around the world must work together to guarantee IPR and combat digital piracy. Rising levels of corporate espionage and threats to information security make such endeavors more important than ever, he added.
In response, AIT Director Brent Christensen said Taiwan has made remarkable progress in IPR protection, which is a key element in ensuring sustainable economic development. The workshop reflects the three partners’ shared respect for IPR and innovation, he added.
According to the organizers, the conference has attracted more than 180 experts and officials from 19 countries across the Indo-Pacific like Australia, Palau and Tuvalu. Other speakers include officials from Taiwan’s High Prosecutors Office and IP Office under the Ministry of Economic Affairs, as well as the U.S. Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Launched in 2015 by Taiwan and the U.S. to build capacity and strengthen multilateral cooperation among like-minded partners, GCTF has grown to include Australia, Japan and Sweden.
A total of 26 workshops involving experts and government officials from 39 countries have been staged to date under the initiative, spanning areas such as disaster relief, education, environmental protection, humanitarian assistance, public health and women’s empowerment. (SFC-E)
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