East of China University of Political Science and Law Intellectual Property Law Moot.
In October of 2022, QMUL took part in the East of China University of Political Science and Law Intellectual Property Law Moot (ECUPL), as the only team participating from outside of China. The moot, which was held online, concerned a potential copyright infringement of video game assets. Teams had to navigate Chinese law to argue for and against both sides of the issue.
Callum A. C. Cousland (Comparative and International Dispute Resolution LLM, 2023) reports back after the moot: “I was excited by the prospect of taking part in this moot, as it offered a unique and interesting opportunity to engage in Chinese law as an English-speaking student. Before being asked to join the team by my then Chinese Business Law lecturer, Guan H. Tang, I had had very little interaction with Chinese law or culture, and only a basic understanding of intellectual property law. Despite this, I eagerly embraced the challenge, seeking to comprehend the core issues and formulate compelling arguments.
At the outset, our team had limited familiarity with Chinese law. We heavily relied on our coaches and reference materials to guide us. Adapting to the expectations of Chinese Judges in terms of advocacy style and issue prioritization took time. With just a month to prepare, the pressure was undeniable, and we felt somewhat disadvantaged compared to our Chinese counterparts.
The ECUPL Intellectual Property Law Moot was an intense experience. After extensive work on our memorandums, we entered the oral phase, with each team member allotted 10 minutes for advocacy and an extra minute for rebuttal. The judges posed tough questions, challenging our legal knowledge. Despite the difficulty, we enjoyed presenting our arguments and hearing the opposing counsel's different approach, which focused more on visual evidence than the law.
While our team didn't make it to the final rounds, the experience was rewarding. Opportunities like these are rare and provide valuable insights into Chinese legal culture and the legal system. I strongly encourage students interested in IP law or Chinese law to participate if the moot returns next year.
I would like to express my gratitude to our coaches for this valuable experience and to thank my team for their dedication throughout the moot. Best wishes to future QMUL teams participating in the ECUPL Intellectual Property Law Moot.”