China has become a scapegoat for the West’s intellectual property problems, a leading lawyer said today.

Sir Hugh Laddie, a former High Court judge, said that although China had issues with counterfeiting and other forms of intellectual property theft, there was a “complete misconception” about the scale of the problem relative to other countries.

Sir Hugh said: “Of course there is counterfeiting in China, but the same goes on in the US and Europe. Pro rata, the biggest source of pirated computer software in the world in the US.”

Speaking to Times Online ahead of the launch of University College London’s Institute of Brand and Innovation Law (IBIL), Sir Hugh said one of the group’s main priorities would be to build closer links with the IP community in China and India.

Formally launched at a conference at UCL today, IBIL will also work on domestic IP issues including helping the university’s research scientists secure funding.

Sir Hugh said: “Whether an invention can be patented is a hugely important factor in scientific research and the IBIL will act as a link between UCL’s law and science faculties to boost scientists’ understanding of what makes research commercially viable.”

The conference will include an update on plans for a Europe-wide patent regime. Sir Hugh supports the contentious plan but said he is not “terribly optimistic” about it being implemented because of strong opposition from individual member states.

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