Insight into weak enforcement of intellectual property rights in China

Based on the combination of institutional theory and a literature review, the paper contemplates the weak enforcement of intellectual property rights (IPRs) in China by legal, economic, political, social, and cultural institutions. It indicates that the legal system cannot be solely responsible for weak enforcement of IPRs. Only by changing the whole IP institutional environment over time will IPRs be well enforced. IP environment analysis and corresponding proactive actions are suggested for foreign companies to overcome institutional barriers in the environment. The paper also puts forward advice to Chinese policymakers on improving the whole IP environment.