Speaker: Haochen Sun, Professor of Law, The University of Hong Kong

What role have state-orchestrated intellectual property policies played in China’s emergence as a major technology innovator? This talk discusses two interrelated transformations that have taken place in China over the past two decades: the rise and fall of the shanzai (copycat) culture movement and China’s ascent as a tech superpower since 2015. In analyzing these transformations, the talk explains how China has deployed IP as a tool of strategic governance and statecraft.

Professor Haochen Sun specializes in intellectual property, technology law, and Chinese law. His wide-ranging scholarship has delved into areas such as the legal status of artificial intelligence creations, access to patented medicines and vaccines, intellectual property rights owners’ responsibilities, and the trademark protection of luxury brands. He is currently working on two new research projects. The first one aims to develop a new ethical framework for regulating AI creativity, while the second one critically examines the epic transformations that have taken place in China’s regulation of technologies. He recently founded the Program on Artificial Intelligence and the Law, a research hub for studying the impact of AI on the legal system.

Coffee and light snacks will be provided. Please register here.

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