Alliance of Global Intellectual Property Service (AGIPS), co-initiated by China Intellectual Property Magazine and China Daily IPR Channel, aims to provide a global platform for IP service institutions on information exchange, experience sharing and business cooperation by organizing activities for mutual benefits with high quality service. Outstanding IP service institutions both in China and worldwide are invited as co-initiators.

The Secretariat, functioning as a serving agency, will be based in China Intellectual Property Magazine, China. So far, a number of well-known and outstanding IP service institutions already applied to become the initiate member, i.e. the co-initiators of AGIPS. 

The official establishment ceremony of AGIPS will be held on the 6th China IP International Annual Forum on 23rd, January, 2016. Applying before 30th, November, 2015 to become the initiate member can get one free ticket (worth USD500) of the Forum. 

Alliance of Global Intellectual Property Service Constitution(Draft)

Chapter One  AGIPS Briefing

1.    Name

English Name: Alliance of Global Intellectual Property Service

Chinese Name: 全球知识产权服务发展联盟

Abbreviation: AGIPS

2.    Character

AGIPS is a professional organization in IP service industry, voluntarily and jointly constituted by global IP service institutions, including IP legal service institutions, IP data service institutions, IP consulting institutions, IP appraisal institutions, IP medias and industry research institutions.

3.    Objective

AGIPS aims to provide a global platform for IP service institutions on information exchange, experience sharing and business cooperation by organizing activities for mutual benefits with highquality service.

4.    Composition

AGIPS is initiated by China Intellectual Property Magazine and China Daily IPR Channel. Outstanding IP service institutions, at most 10 Chinese institutions and 20 overseas institutions, are invited as co-initiators. These institutions all possess rich industrial expertise and strong capability in trademark, patent, copyright, database, consulting service and litigation, etc. The Alliance plans to involve 500 international members in two years.

Chapter Two Main Tasks

5.    To realize resources integration and advantage complementarity in- and outside the Alliance. Internally, AGIPS members enjoy the privilege to be first selected as partners of internal cooperation; externally, members can be recommended to the public through media promotion. The Alliance will stimulate the cooperation and connection between members and extra-industrial enterprises on innovation protection and rights protection; and help members solve problems they encounter in development.

6.    AGIPS will hold various activities such as seminars and trainingson a regular basis, to facilitate information sharing learning and cooperation,enrich the process and standard in line with the requirements of IP service development, and improve the service of members internationally.

7.    To enlarge the influence of the Alliance and create the industrial culture. The Alliance is committed to establishing the industrial culture to promote mutual respect, fair competition, mutual complementarity and joint development among members.

Chapter Three Alliance Framework and Responsibilities

8.    Framework

The AGIPS Members Assembly is the supreme decision-making body of the Alliance. The Council under the Assembly is the decision-making institution in charge of daily affairs. The Secretariat is the executive agency. Members of the Council shall be recommended by initiators and designated after the Assembly’s discussion. The Secretariat, functioning as a serving agency, shall be established at China Intellectual Property Magazine.

A.    The AGIPS Members Assembly, as the supreme decision-making body of the Alliance, functions to guide the Alliance and make resolutions on vital issues. Normally, the Assembly shall be held face-to-face meeting annually, and the meeting is also allowed to be held by other communication modes under particular circumstances. The responsibilities of the Assembly include:

1. Approving modifications to the AGIPS Constitution;

2. Reviewing and approving the Alliance’s annual report;

3. Reviewing and approving the annual report on financial budget and statement;

4. Determining the alteration or termination of the Alliance;

5. Reviewing and approving other reports submitted by the Council.

B.     The Council, as the decision-making institution in charge of daily affairs, is responsible to the Assembly. The responsibilities of the Council include:

1. Submitting to the Assembly the resolutions on modifications to the AGIPS Constitution;

2. Interpreting the AGIPS Constitution;

3. Executing the Assembly’s resolutions;

4. Drawing up the annual report on financial budget and statement;

5. Determining the involvement and expulsion of the initiators and ordinary members;

6. Reviewing the work reports of the Secretariat and other departments;

7. Reviewing, approving and modifying the basic administration principles of the Alliance;

8. Submitting the resolution on alteration or termination of the Alliance;

9. Determining the establishment or closure of units inside the Secretariat;

10. Discussing and resolving other major issues.

9.    The Secretariat in charge of daily affairs is responsible to the Assembly. The Secretariat is composed of a secretary general and several deputy secretary generals. The Secretariat shall be installed at China Intellectual Property Magazine, whose responsibilities covers various aspects, including making the address book and special reports, making and releasing the international IP service standards, evaluating the star IP service organizations, and organizing online and offline activities, annual meetings and forums, etc.

A.    Responsibilities

1. Executing the resolutions of the Assembly; organizing, managing and coordinating the Alliance;

2. Preparing for the convening of the Assembly;

3. Drawing up the annual report;

4. Drawing up the annual report on financial budget and statement;

5. Dealing with the applications for  AGIPS membership; preliminarily examining qualifications of the organizations who apply for AGIPSD membership;

6. Proposing the expulsion of members in terms of the principles of the Alliance and dealing with the applications to quit the Alliance;

7. Dealing with other affairs assigned by the Assembly.

B.     The power of the secretary general includes:

1. Taking charge of the daily affairs of the Secretariat, implementing the work plan and supervising the work progress;

2. Nominating deputy secretary generals and submitting to the Council for review;

3. Calling and chairing meetings of the AGIPS Council;

4. Signing documents and attending activities on behalf of the Alliance.

Chapter Four Conditions for membership in AGIPS

10.    Organizations applying for membership in AGIPS shall meet the following requirements:

A.   An independent legal entity with integrity; taking the leading position in the state IP service industry;

B.   Dedicated to advancing the cooperation and development of the global IP service industry;

C.   Capable of doing multinational business;

D.   Endorsing the exchange of business inside the Alliance;

E.   Supporting the AGIPS Constitution and fulfilling the AGIPS obligations.

Chapter Five Application Process

  11.    Application process to join AGIPS

A.   Fill in the application form of AGIPS. Submit the copies of business license, organization code certificate and legal representative certificate;

B.   The Secretariat will submit the applications to the Council for review after the preliminary examination.

Chapter Six The Rights of AGIPS Members

12.    AGIPS members have equal rights regulated by the Constitution.

The Rights of AGIPS Council Members (initiators)

A.   Attending the Assembly; discussing and voting on vital policies, resolutions and issues concerning the development of the Alliance;

B.   Suggesting calling interim meetings of the Assembly to the secretary general; making suggestions and comments to the Secretariat; supervising the Secretariat; delegating representatives to the Secretariat;

C.   Recommending the council members;

D.   Addressing inquiries to the financial situation of the Alliance;

E.   Using the AGIPS emblem;

F.   Having priority to cooperate with other members in the Alliance;enjoying the priority access to information and resources inside the Alliance;

G.    Attending the Annual Meeting for council members only held by the Alliance;

H.    Enjoying complementary information publishing service on the AGIPS official website (the content for publishing should be subjected to the themes of the information sharing section and column);Attending activities organized by the Alliance, for example trainings, seminars, exhibitions, summit forums and social gatherings, etc. for free or at a favorable price;having the opportunity to make an complementary independent speech on the annual meeting;

I.       The AGIPS Council members (initiators) can hold events in the name of the Alliance under the written approval of the Secretariat;

J.       Freedom to quit the Alliance.

The Rights of Ordinary Members

A.   Enjoying complementary information publishing service on the AGIPS official website (the content for publishing should be subjected to the themes of the information sharing section and column);

B.   Attending activities organized by the Alliance, for example trainings, seminars, exhibitions, summit forums and social gatherings, etc. at a favorable price;

C.   Freedom to quit the Alliance.

Chapter Seven Obligations of the AGIPS Council Members

13.    AGIPS Council members should fulfill the obligations regulated by the Constitution.

A.   Consenting to and abiding by the Constitution, implementing the resolutions of the Alliance, and obeying the industry regulations and principles;

B.   Signing the statement for mutual assistance and self-discipline; the council members shall label the AGIPS emblem obviously in the uniform format on the publicity materials;

C.   Taking an active role in activities held by the Alliance and dedicating to the development of AGIPS;

D.   Paying the membership fee in full and on time;

E.   Delegating representatives to the Secretariat under requirements and recommending new members;

F.   Keeping the business secrets of the Alliance.

Chapter Eight Quit and Disenrollment

14.    The Assembly will review and disenrollmembers who deviate from the AGIPS objective and violate the AGIPS regulations and principles after the verification of the Secretariat, if the negotiation is failed. The membership fee is not refundablefor disenolled members. The disenrollment shall be informed to all AGIPS members and all the internal activities of the disenrolledinstitution shall be ceased. The disenrolled institution is forbidden to reapply for the AGIPS membership in two years.

Chapter Nine The Usage and Management of the Funds

15.     Sources of the funds

AGIPS is a non-profit organization and its daily expenditure shall be shared by initiators. It is suggested that every initiator pay one-off 20,000 RMB to the Alliance as operation funds every two years. The funds are earmarked for fixed purpose only and the usage shall be supervised by the Council.

A.   Funds from the Council members (initiators), 20,000 RMB (3,500 USD) every two years. Ordinary members and corporate members are free;

B.   Funds from member trainings;

C.   Funds from the sponsorship of forums or other events;

D.   Other sources.

16.   Expenditure

A.    Expenditure on the Secretariat management;

B.    Expenditure on organizing activities;

C.    Other expenditures related to the Alliance.

17. AGIPS shall build a strict financial management system to insure the legality, authenticity, accuracy and integrity of the accounting system and to accept the supervision of the Assembly.

18.   The salaries, insurance and welfare of the representatives delegated by the members shall be undertaken by the corresponding member organizations. The salaries, insurance and welfare of other employees recruited outside member organizations shall be undertaken by the Alliance in accordance with the regulations of the state.

Chapter Ten Termination of AGIPS

19.    If the Alliance is terminated due to self disbandment, separation or merger, it shall be terminated after the Assembly passes the termination resolution submitted by the Secretariat.

20.    Before the termination of the Alliance, a liquidation group shall be established to settle the debts and credits in accordance with the regulations and deal with the aftermath. During the liquidation, the Alliance shall not conduct other activities.

21.    The Assembly shall deal with the residual property in accordance with law.

Chapter Eleven Others

22. If there are matters not covered above, the Constitution can be complemented or modified after the review of the Council.

23. The Constitution shall come into force upon signature by the legal or authorized representative of the initiators after discussion and adoption of the Assembly.

24.  AGIPS Secretariat reserves the rights of final interpretation to the above constitution.

AGIPS Preparatory Committee