On May 19, 2025, the International Forum on “Intellectual Property Innovation and Governance in the Digital Economy Era” was successfully held at Xiamen University Malaysia (XMUM), organized by the Intellectual Property and Innovation Research Centre (IPIRC) of XMUM. The event was co-organized by the Intellectual Property Research Institute (IPRI) and the Belt and Road Research Institute (BRRI) of Xiamen University, with financial support from Unitalen Attorneys at Law and Entre.
The forum featured a keynote speech, three plenary sessions, and two roundtable discussions. Over 70 scholars and practitioners from China, Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, Vietnam, and Indonesia participated in the event, engaging in comprehensive discussions on intellectual property innovation and governance challenges in the context of the digital economy.
Opening Ceremony and Keynote Address
The forum was opened by Dr. Li Jing, Assistant Professor at the Intellectual Property Research Institute (IPRI) of Xiamen University (XMU). Prof. Wang Huiqiong, Assistant President of XMUM, delivered a welcome speech on behalf of the university. This was followed by a welcome address from Prof. Cheryl Xiaoning Long, Director of IPIRC, XMUM, and Cheung Kong Scholar Professor at IPRI, XMU, on behalf of the organizers.
During the keynote session, Prof. Ida Madieha Bt. Abdul Ghani Azmi from Ahmad Ibrahim Kulliyyah of Laws, International Islamic University Malaysia, delivered a speech titled “Digital Copyright Normative Framework in Malaysia: Past, Present and Future.” She reviewed the development of Malaysia’s digital copyright system and shared valuable insights relevant to the broader Asia-Pacific region.
Plenary Sessions and Roundtable Discussions
The first plenary session focused on “Legal Boundaries and Regulatory Framework” and was chaired by Dr. Wang Jun, Associate Professor at IPRI, XMU. Professor Hannah Yeefen Lim from Nanyang Technological University gave a presentation entitled “The UK Courts’ Muddle over AI Inventions and Patent Law.” Mr. Nguyen Luong Sy from Hue University of Law in Vietnam discussed “Online Content Moderation in Vietnam,” while Professor Lin Xiuqin, Dean of IPRI, XMU, delivered a speech entitled “Navigating the Intellectual Property Frontiers in the Development of Generative AI,” offering an in-depth analysis of intellectual property issues brought by generative AI.
The subsequent roundtable discussion, moderated by Professor Cheryl Xiaoning Long, centered on “Industry Challenges and Corporate Responses.” Panelists included Ms. Zhao Zitong, Senior IP Counsel at Huawei; Dr. Lai Ming, Senior Vice President at SIBIONICS; Ms. Yang Yao, Senior Legal Counsel-Foreign Affairs at MINISO; Dr. Tan Jian Hong, Patent Executive at NBS INTELLECTUAL SDN. BHD; and Mr. Marvin Octavdio, Partner Tax at Anagata Law Firm. The five corporate executives shared insights into the challenges and coping strategies in intellectual property practices.
The second plenary session, chaired by Dr. Li Jing, focused on “Corporate IP Strategies and Government Facilities.” Associate Professor Dr. Hartini Saripan from UiTM, Malaysia, presented on “Bridging Trust and Transformation: Malaysia’s Collaborative Response to the Digital Economy Challenges.” Dr. Takeshi S. Komatani, Visiting Professor at Kobe University, delivered a speech titled “IP Strategy in the Life Science and Pharma-medical Fields: Viewpoint from an International Practitioner and Academic–Recent Changes in Digital Age.” Mr. Li Yongbo, Managing Partner at Unitalen Attorneys at Law, presented on “The legal Logic of Recognizing AIGC Products Can Be Copyrighted,” analyzing the feasibility and challenges of copyright protection for AI-generated content under China’s current legal system.
The second roundtable discussion was moderated by Professor Lin Xiuqin and featured Mr. Zhao Kefeng, Partner at GEN Law; Mr. Dinh Nguyen Phan, Lecturer at Hue University of Law; Dr. Wang Jun, Associate Professor; Dr. Li Jing, Assistant Professor at the Intellectual Property Research Institute of Xiamen University; and Mrs. Putu Aras Samsithawrati, Lecturer at the Faculty of Law, Udayana University. The discussion focused on the topic “How to Cultivate IP Talent in the Digital Age?”
The third plenary session explored “Frontier Issues in SEP Disputes” and was chaired by Mr. Loh Heng Yeong of Cheang & Ariff. Dr. Wang Yanfang from the Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration (SCIA) delivered a speech titled “China’s Legal Framework for SEPs from Huawei v. IDC to ACT v. OPPO.” Ms. Li Rui from the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) presented on “Interpreting Interim Licensing” and discussed related issues in the SEP field. Mr. Zhao Ye, Partner at Jingtian & Gongcheng, presented on “The Role of U.K. Courts in SEP FRAND Royalty Rates: A Critical Evaluation.” And Professor Cheryl Xiaoning Long delivered a speech on “Economic Analysis of FRAND Injunction.”
Closing Ceremony
At the closing ceremony, Professor Cheryl Xiaoning Long, on behalf of the organizers, expressed sincere gratitude to all domestic and international participants, institutional partners, and staff members for their strong support and dedication. She noted that the successful convening of this forum has established an important platform for promoting international exchange and cooperation in the field of intellectual property and warmly welcomed all to continue supporting the educational and research initiatives in intellectual property and innovation at Xiamen University Malaysia.
