Well-known cartoon characters, such as Peppa Pig, B. Duck, GG Bond and Bonnie Bears, and intellectual property (IP) producers, playwrights, cartoonists and graphic designers were invited to join the Sixth Shenzhen International IP Licensing & Cartoon Derivative Expo, which concluded yesterday at Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center.
Apart from setting up booths for cartoon, movie and TV drama companies and derivative products, the expo organizer also reserved spaces for IP product makers, designers, playwrights and local movie and TV drama producers to display their works and exchange ideas.
Seminars and forums were also held at the four-day expo, attracting famed IP producers such as Tencent, Alibaba and Dark Horse Entertainment to share their success in the IP industry.
“This year, 50 percent of the exhibitors are new to us, which indicates the industry is entering a fast lane,” said Wang Bin, founder of the expo. “To encourage industry insiders to share their views and resources, we have built a special zone where they can build connection with each other and their viewers, and communicate with investors.”
“Shenzhen has become one of the three leading cities for IP development in China. Five years ago, there were only three Shenzhen exhibitors at the expo, but now over 60 exhibitors out of the 1,000 at this year’s expo were from Shenzhen. More consumers tend to purchase copyrighted products, and the city has made great efforts to protect IP, which gives confidence to the industry,” Wang said.
The expo also attracted Japanese and Korean exhibitors. According to the latest data, in 2017, China’s IP industry yielded hundreds of million yuan.