日前，國際知識產權律師聯合會前會長巴斯蒂亞·科斯特接受了中國知識產權報記者專訪，就中國知識產權保護發表了一些看法。

　　在科斯特看來，知識產權是連接他與中國的一條紐帶。2009年，他跟隨國際知識產權律師聯合會代表團第一次來到中國，訪問了中國國家知識產權局。在之后的5年里，他每年都會訪問中國國家知識產權局。2012年至2015年，他成為國際知識產權律師聯合會會長。“在這段時間里，中國知識產權制度不斷得到改善，我也看到了，在中國如此大的國家，知識產權要做得這么好，需要花很多心思。在與中華全國專利代理人協會的交流中，我深切地感受到，中國知識產權代理機構在服務質量和深度上都有了迅速提升。”科斯特說。

　　“中國知識產權制度在快速發展的同時，也面臨著一些挑戰。如何維持專利申請數量與質量之間的平衡就是挑戰之一。”科斯特說，“鑒于中國繁榮的經濟，其本身就需要大量的專利和商標等知識產權。此外，如何提升社會公眾以及企業的知識產權意識也是中國面臨的挑戰。中國企業也需要了解自己擁有知識產權以及進行知識產權布局的最終目的是什么。”

　　科斯特說，一些人對中國知識產權制度最新發展還缺乏了解。當他介紹中國擁有世界最成熟的知識產權行政機構和全球最多的專利商標申請量時，這些人感到非常不可思議。每年對大量專利申請以及商標注冊申請進行審查不是一件易事。但是，中國已經擁有數量充足的代理機構以及行之有效的行政體制來應對知識產權申請數量日益增長的挑戰。同時，中國也建立了強大的司法體系來保障執法。可以說，中國已經努力確保知識產權制度在社會各層面得到實施。科斯特說，在他印象中，中國是為數不多的對知識產權侵權行為采取司法強制措施的國家之一。在他看來，國際上關于中國知識產權制度方面的負面評價通常是基于錯誤的認知，并非基于客觀事實。

　　“鑒于中國知識產權制度的成功實踐以及其在較短時間內取得的顯著成績，我相信中國知識產權制度在未來仍將得到不斷的完善。全球知識產權權利人可以確信，他們的知識產權在中國將獲得很好的保護和有效的實施。”科斯特表示。（柳鵬 熊花平|中國知識產權報）

　　Recently, the former President of the Bureau of Federation of International IP Attorneys （FICPI） Bastiaan Koster shared comments on China's IP protection in an interview with China Intellectual Property News.

　　According to him, IP was his connection to China. His experience with China dated back to 2009 when he visited the country for the first time. At the time he was involved in FICPI. In the five years to follow, every year he joined the FICPI delegation to the meeting with the then State Intellectual Property Office of China. During the period 2012 to 2015, he served as President of FICPI. "During this period, I could see how the IP system was continuously improved and that much thinking went into how to do in best in such a large country like China. I noticed during these meetings with All-China Patent Agents Association and also engaging with Chinese patent and trademark attorneys professionally is the rapid increase in quality and depth in Chinese IP firms," said Koster.

　　"Having an IP system that is developing as fast and to the magnitude of the IP system in China is obviously not easy and comes with challenges. One of the issues is to maintain the balance between output （number of filings） and quality,"said Koster. "In view of the strong economy in China there is a huge demand for patents and trademarks. Another challenge is education for individuals and companies as to the role of IP. I believe every company should have a thorough understanding what the end goals are of having IP rights and an IP portfolio. "

　　In Koster's eyes, many people have no idea about IP system in China. When he tells them that China has one of the most sophisticated IP Offices and files the most patents and trademarks in the world, it came as a surprise to them. To process the large number of patents, utility patents and trademarks annually being filed in China is no easy task.  Starting with having sufficient IP attorneys, enabling IP firms, having a very strong administrative system to deal with IP applications and a strong Court system to deal with enforcement. The government of China has done an excellent job to ensure that the rapid growth in the IP system takes place at all levels. In his experience China is one of the few countries having judicial enforcement measures for IP infringement. He therefore believes that the negative comments some people hear about the IP system in China is often based on incorrect perceptions and not on facts.

　　"Given the success story of the IP system in China and the very short time it was obtained, I am confident that the IP system will continue to improve at its current pace. The rest of the world can be assured that their IP rights will be well protected and enforceable in China," according to Koster. （Liu Peng /Xiong Huaping｜China Intellectual Property News）

　　巴斯蒂亞·科斯特是一位優秀的專利律師、商標代理人。他曾擔任國際知識產權律師聯合會及南非知識產權法協會會長，為知識產權領域貢獻了寶貴的經驗。現在，他是南非開普敦馮·塞德爾知識產權法律事務所的合伙人，主要負責該事務所日常事務的管理。同時，他也在該事務所負責代理來自世界各地的專利申請業務。

　　科斯特曾經接受過電子工程（法律預科）培訓，他在處理植物育種者權利相關事宜方面有著豐富的經驗，也擅于處理技術與商業結合的問題。

　　在法律方面，科斯特有一雙敏銳的“慧眼”，他在知識產權申請、管理、執法、訴訟方面擁有寶貴的經驗，這些優勢使他成為馮·塞德爾事務所團隊中資歷深厚的一位重量級成員。

　　由于在處理知識產權事宜方面擁有豐富的閱歷，科斯特曾經為很多專利代理人講授了他在知識產權布局策略管理方面的專業知識。在國際知識產權律師協會的長期任職，也使科斯特對當今全球性的知識產權問題具有深刻的見解。

　　Bastiaan Koster is an accomplished patent attorney and trade mark practitioner. As past president of the International Federation of Intellectual Property Attorneys （FICPI） and the South African Institute of Intellectual Property Law （SAIIPL）， he brings significant experience to the table. Bastiaan is the partner responsible for the day-to-day management of Von Seidels, a boutique intellectual property law firm based in Cape Town, South Africa. He is also in charge of the department in the firm responsible for filing patent applications in South Africa which emanate from overseas applicants.

　　Bastiaan's formal training in electronic engineering （pre-law）， coupled with extensive experience in matters relating to Plant Breeders' Rights, has stood him in good stead when it comes to understanding and working with matters of a broad technical nature and their integration with commercial issues.

　　Taken together with his natural acumen for the law and his noteworthy experience in IP registration, administration, enforcement and litigation, Bastiaan's approach makes him a highly qualified member and much-valued partner in the Von Seidels team.

　　Due to Bastiaan's comprehensive experience in intellectual property matters, he consults with a wide range of clients on the strategic management of their intellectual property portfolios. In his long-standing involvement in FICPI, he has acquired a deep understanding of current global IP issues.