Expo Net May 23: Today the World Expo 2010 Shanghai Bidding Office issued a notice regarding the protection of World Expo intellectual property rights. According to reports, the main content of the notice is:

I. World Expo intellectual property rights are part of the bidding and organizational structure of China World Expo 2010 Shanghai. No organization or individual may use the World Expo symbols and other intellectual property for commercial purposes without the prior permission of the owner of such rights. Where content is used for news and publicity and other non-profit making purposes, a clear distinction must be made in their use to differentiate such use from commercial advertisements, and the prior consent of the holder of the rights must be obtained.

II. The use of the World Expo symbol and other intellectual property must not commence until after the official establishment of the World Expo organizing body and must be handled according to prescribed procedures. Prior to this time, all enlist or advertising and publicity being carried out under the name of China World Expo 2010 Shanghai is illegal.

III. The use of the World Expo symbol and other items must be in strict accordance with the standard samples provided by the rights holder and no changes may be made.

IV. Related work units and individuals must immediately stop any infringement of the China World Expo 2010 Shanghai symbol or its reputation and negotiate methods for settlement with the rights holder within 15 working days. In the case of those parties that do not remedy the situation or continue to engage in activities that infringe the holder’s rights, the World Expo Bidding Office will investigate them according to the law and reserves the right further prosecute them for such infringements.

V. The World Expo Bidding Office warmly invites the public to report any instances of infringement of China World Expo 2010 Shanghai.