TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER IN CHINA: (1996)

LAW AND BUSINESS STRATEGIES

This unique program offers students an opportunity to study a new rapidly growing field of international business law in the fastest growing region of the world. Technology Transfer in China combines classroom and field instruction with legal and business topics to provide students with a practical understanding of the technology transfer process in China. Chinese law, politics, economics, and culture are considered in context of technology trade and investment. Classes are held at City University of Hong Kong and taught by faculty who are authorities in the areas of Chinese legal process, contract law, intellectual property, join ventures and foreign investment. The program is sponsored by Syracuse University College of Law and hosted by the Department of Professional Education at City University of Hong Kong.

Special features of the program include trips into China's Special Economic Zones in ShenZhen and Guangzhou, a special series of luncheon lectures and tours of Hong Kong and the surrounding islands. This trips into China's Economic Zones allow students to observe firsthand the daily life in these burgeoning cities, visit factories and commercial centers, and meet with local business and government leaders. The luncheon lecture series provides students with the latest information on legal and business developments in China and an opportunity to discuss these developments informally with leading experts. The tours of Hong Kong and the surrounding islands give students a chance to savor the local foods and customs and to see the remarkable contrasts between modern high-rise office complexes and picturesque local fishing villages.

BACKGROUND:

CHINA: China is an ancient country. Can was old when Rome was born. During the vast majority of its over 3,000 year history, from the time of the earliest emperors through the reign of Mao Zhedong, China was closed to the outside world. China's isolation from the world ended in 2979 with the ascendancy of Den Xioaping and a new group of national leaders. Under Deng Xiaoping has changed from a highly centralized planned economy to a decentralized market economy which encourages foreign investment and the transfer of foreign technology. Since 2979 China has experienced the greatest economic growth of any nation in the world.

Technology transfer is the crucial element in China's modernization policy. With a population of 1.2 billion people and a wholly obsolete infrastructure, China is in critical need of modern technology in the form of intellectual property licenses, technical know-how, personnel training and assistance, and capital goods and equipment. China's greatest technology needs are in the area of civil aviation, computer technology, food processing, electronics, medical equipment, electric power, mass transit, telecommunications, building materials and equipment, and pollution controls.

China offers enormous market opportunities for firms possessing advanced technologies in these areas and for firms seeking lower cost manufacturing sites for technology exports. The transfer of technology requires a host of professional skills. Lawyer, business managers and engineers must integrate their expertise in order to implement successful technology transfer strategies. The objective of the program is to prepare law students to be effective participants in the technology transfer process in China.

HONG KONG: The venue of the program is Hong Kong. Hong Kong has been the trading center of Asia for over 200 years and is today the world's largest port and third largest commercial center. Often described as a case study in laissez-fare capitalism, Hong Kong is an ultra modern city with population of over 6 million people. Hong Kong has an affluent, service-oriented economy with more than 40,000 companies, a strong exchange, massive new construction, law taxes, and law unemployment.

Hong Kong is also the business gateway to China. About 30-40 percent of China's foreign investment and foreign exchange income flows through Hong Kong, and Hong Kong companies employ about 5 million people in Southern China. Hong Kong's enormous commercial success, however, is clouded by political uncertainty as Hong Kong regions China in 1997. While some believe that the reunification with China offers Hong Kong unprecedented new economic opportunities and other worry that it will stifle Hong Kong's free market spirit, everyone recognizes that this is a critical period in Hong Kong's history.

THE CAMPUS:
CITY UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, LAW FIRMS AND GOVERNMENT OFFICES

City University of Hong Kong (CUHK) is a large, modern, urban university located in Kownloon Tong, north of Hong Kong Island. CUHK has an excellent faculty of law, an extensive library collection, and a wide array of student amenities including shops, banking terminals, cafeterias and dining halls. CUHK is conveniently situated at the junction of Hong Kong's two rapid transit rail systems making the campus easily accessible from all surrounding points.

In addition to classes at CUHK, on-site briefings are regularly scheduled at law firms and government offices. Briefings are regularly schedules at law firms and government offices. Briefing are held in formal conference rooms and students are required to wear business suits and dresses. The briefings provide students with an opportunity to interact in professional settings and to observe the organization and operation of professional offices.

Hong Kong offers an abundance of cultural resources including art galleries, museums, theaters and concerts. There are pubs, night clubs and restaurants of every variety. Local travel is fast, efficient, and inexpensive and often involves crossing Victories Harbor by the Star Ferry - a special treat day or night.

ACADEMIC INFORMATION:

ACCREDITATION: The 1996 program has been approved by the American Bar Association and is offered as a part of the fully accredited curriculum of the Syracuse University College of Law. The College of Law is approved by the American Bar Association and is charter member of the Association of American Law Schools.

ELIGIBILITY: Any student currently in good standing at an accredited law school who will have completed at least one year of full-time or part-time legal study by May 30, 1996 is eligible to apply. Special provision is made for European and Asian law students. The program does not require prior knowledge of international law, intellectual property, technology transfer or business law.

CREDIT: Student are required to enroll for credit. Six semester hours of credit are awarded for successful completion of the program. Participating students are responsible for obtaining approval from their own law schools to transfer credits.

GRADES AND CLASSES: Students are graded on a pass/fail basis unless their home law school requires otherwise. Standing is based on attendance, class participation and take-home final examination given at the end of the program. Class are scheduled from 9:30 - 12:30 Mondays through Wednesdays. The luncheon lecture series is held on Thursdays. Afternoons are reserved for on-site briefings and special class sessions. Field trips are scheduled for Fridays and Saturdays.

COURSE SYLLABUS: The course is designed to provide a relevant and comprehensive understanding Chinese laws and legal system so that students can appreciate the opportunities and obstacles to doing business in China.

The course begins with a consideration of the Chinese legal system including its historical development, the roles of the constitution and judiciary, the status of the legal profession and the structural relationship between legislative, administrative and judicial institutions. The section also looks at China's strong preference for arbitration and mediation as alternative means of dispute resolution. The course next considers Chinese intellectual property laws including patents, copyrights, trade secrets and trademarks. The various forms of intellectual property protection, registration requirements and means of enforcement are discussed in depth.

China's domestic trade laws are the subject of the next portion of the course. These include Chinese contract laws, unfair competition laws, technology transfer laws and licensing regulations. The course then considers the various types of business arrangements available in China including equity join ventures, contract joint ventures, and wholly foreign owned companies. This section also considers taxation , securities regulation and banking, and the benefits of locating in China's Special Economic Zones. Finally, the course concludes with a consideration of the investment climate in China and a review of U.S. - China trade policies. Human rights, nuclear non proliferation, access to China's markets, U.S. import/export controls and china's most favored nation status are among the topics discussed in the concluding portion of the course.

EXPENSES, HOUSING, AND TRAVEL:

A $40 non-refundable application fee is payable with the application, which should be received by March 15, 1996. Applications received after that date will be accepted only if space is available.

PROGRAM FEE, TUITION AND TUITION GRANTS: A program fee of $2,975 is charged to each participant.; The program fee includes housing in shared rooms, field trips into China, local tours, group dinners and luncheons, social activities and other program activities and services which are not covered by tuition and for which a separate fee is not charged. 1996 tuition is $3,000 for 6 credits. A limited number of tuition grants ranging from $300 to $1,000 are available and are awarded on the basis of need. Grant application are due March 15, 1996. Grant application received after this date will not be considered.

HOUSING: Students are housed in shared rooms leased by Syracuse University in a three star hotel from the night of May 30 through the night of July 13. The hotel offers athletic facilities, a pool, and regular shuttle services, and is conveniently located near a large shopping mall and major train stations in Hong Kong suburb of Shatin. Meals are not included in the program fee. Students may make their own housing arrangements and the housing portion of the program fee will be deducted. However, students who make their own housing arrangements will not be able to move into the hotel at a later date.

Students who do not need housing must notify DIPA in writing by March 15.

TRAVEL: Because of the diversity of departure points, students must make their own travel arrangements to Hong Kong. Students should plan to arrive in Hong Kong on Thursday May 30.

PAYMENTS: An initial payment of $350 toward the cost of the program fee and tuition is due within 10 days of notification of acceptance into the program. The balance will be billed by March 15. Full payment must be made by April 15, 1996.

REFUNDS: Should a student withdraw from the program before Thursday, May 30, 1996, all tuition payments, as well as any uncommitted and unexpended program fee funds, will be refunded.

No tuition refunds will be made after May 30, 1996. Requests for pro rata refunds of the program fee, less any committed expenses, must be submitted in writing to DIPA Summer Program in Syracuse. No portion of the program fee will be refunded abroad.

Syracuse University reserves the right to cancel or alter the summer law program. In the event of cancellation all tuition and fees which have been paid will be fully refunded.


FACULTY:

The program is directed by Ted Hagelin, professor of law at Syracuse University College of Law. Professor Hagelin serves as Director of the Technology Transfer Research Center at Syracuse University and specializes in the fields of intellectual property, licensing, and computer law. Professor Hagelin has taught law for over 23 years. He has published a number of articles in law and business journal and has made many presentation to professional groups on the subject of technology transfers. In addition to teaching and publishing, Professor Hagelin consults with small and medium sized company legal and business aspects of technology transactions. Professor Hagelin is a member of the New York State Bar and the U.S. - Canada licensing Executive Society, and has served on the board of numerous professional organizations and committees.

Professor Hagelin is joined in the program by expert faculty from the Department of Law and the Department of Commerce at City University of Hong Kong.

HOW TO APPLY:

Applications should be sent with a $40 application fee to Syracuse University by March 15, 1996. Applicants should provide a current resume.

Enrollment is limited and spaces are filled on a first-apply, first-enrolled basis. As many students apply to this program, it is advised to submit the application as early as possible in order to be assured of consideration. Acceptance into the program is contingent upon receipt of a letter of good standing from the applicant's current law school.

Applications and requests for further information should be addressed to:

Syracuse University. Summer Law Program in Hong Kong
Division of International Programs Abroad
119 Euclid Avenue
Syracuse, NY 13244-4170

Phone: 1(800) 251-9674
Fax: (315) 443-4593