This book is a comprehensive examination of intellectual property (IP) systems in ten major Asian economies, including China, India, Japan, Korea, Singapore, and several ASEAN nations, and its ten chapters deal with different aspects of IP law such as patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets, while also providing sectoral insights in industries like pharmaceuticals, film, and automobiles. Liu’s approach blends theoretical exploration with practical case studies, making the book accessible to both legal scholars and practitioners alike, his core argument being the “Asianization” of IP law. He asserts that Asian economies must develop IP frameworks that reflect their own socio-economic contexts rather than adopting wholesale the Western IP systems imposed through international trade agreements. He emphasizes that IP can play a key role in fostering regional peace and cooperation, provided that it is adapted to Asia’s unique historical, political, and economic landscapes and advocates for a tailored IP regime that balances local innovation needs with the pressures of global IP governance, particularly as imposed by trade agreements like the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

Liu’s book makes several important contributions to the study of IP law in Asia, distinguishing it as a valuable resource in the field of comparative law. The book is unique in its broad comparative scope, offering insights into both civil and common law systems in Asia with detailed case studies from China, India, Singapore, and Taiwan, demonstrating the complexities of IP law across different legal traditions. This comprehensive approach fills a critical gap in the existing literature, which has historically focused on Western jurisdictions. Liu’s rich use of empirical data, particularly in the form of tables and figures, strengthens the book’s analysis. For example, the twenty-three tables in Chapter 2 allow readers to quickly grasp the evolution of patent filings, trademark registrations, and other key IP metrics in various Asian jurisdictions. However, despite its many strengths, the book is not without its shortcomings as although it covers ten Asian economies, it gives disproportionate attention to China, India, Singapore, and Taiwan. While these countries are undoubtedly important players in the region, the omission of more extensive coverage on countries like Vietnam and Indonesia limits the book’s ability to offer a fully representative view of IP development across the region.

Further, although Liu discusses the need for a tailored Asian IP model, he provides limited insight into how countries with vastly different economic capacities and institutional frameworks can implement such a model. Developing economies in ASEAN, for example, face significant resource constraints that may make it difficult to align their IP systems with the higher standards imposed by agreements like CPTPP and RCEP.

Kung-Chung Liu skillfully blends comparative legal analysis with empirical data to provide a deep understanding of how different Asian economies navigate the complex interplay between global IP governance and local socio-economic contexts. His emphasis on the need for an “Asian IP model” is particularly timely, offering a thought-provoking perspective on how the region can develop IP systems that align with its unique historical and economic realities, and his advocacy for a more nuanced approach to IP law are invaluable.