Yan Li

What is your topic of research? In my research I argue imitation is necessary to the early stage of economic development. Therefore, my thesis advocates a balanced approach to formulating counterfeiting policies, especially at the international level, one that takes into account the various levels of development and capacity to innovate in different countries. Essentially, it is my view that the current anti-counterfeiting laws adversely affect the economic interests of developing nations, impeding their innovative capacity which might otherwise be brought about via imitation and improvement.

What expectations did you have about UTS: Law’s proficiency and capacity as a research institution? Have these been met? How? Yes. I expected good supervisors, research resources and a collaborative community.

UTS:Law is, of course, the most inspiring place. It’s very different to China. I’m amazed by the way my colleagues look at things, via deep analysis into a specific topic. Inspired by this, I finally figured out my research topic and developed the research proposal in the second semester.

I think the biggest advantage of UTS:Law is its people. They are among the most talented I have ever known, coming from diverse backgrounds and undertaking research in such a wide variety of topics. They are active in producing ideas, modest in receiving criticism, patient in explaining their dissent, and friendly in giving suggestions. They have built up a collaborative environment that is very important and beneficial to researchers within it.

UTS:Law also has a great library. Not only does it offer all you would expect from a university library, but it also provides useful workshops and research activities, including Research Week, and Endnote ‘How to’ and Data Management workshops. The University Graduate School is another great institution, providing opportunities to meet peer researchers and access PhD resources, such as literacy workshops for first year PhD candidates to undertake literature reviews, manage readings and deliver presentations.

Was it more important to come here based on a research centre, individual supervisor or UTS as a whole? How did you identify and select your supervisor? I met one of my supervisors, Professor Philip Griffith, a few years ago in an international intellectual property (IP) conference held at my home university in Beijing, China. Professor Griffiths is a very nice person, typical of the people at UTS:Law. He is an IP expert not only in Australia but in many Asian countries. At the time, I had some interest in doing comparative studies in the area of patent law and so I contacted Professor Griffith when I graduated from my Masters degree. He gave me a lot of help in developing a preliminary research proposal. When I finally came to UTS, I met Professor Jill McKeough, who was assigned to be my principal supervisor. Professor McKeough is also a well-known IP expert with much experience supervising PhD students. She was so kind, encouraging me to get through the tough first year when I struggled with both speaking English and looking for a proper topic. Thanks to them all.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your research? Why?I think my research could be rewarding in that it discusses the issue of counterfeiting and more broadly IP law in the context of economic development.

With the internationalization of IP law led by the US, the social cost of implementing a globally uniform standard of IP law/anti-counterfeiting law in developing countries would be considerable, and detrimental to their economic interests. Most of these economies are still in the developing or even undeveloped stage, during which, as I argue in my thesis, imitation and copying is an essential step towards developing innovation and reaching economic maturity. The now ‘developed’ countries achieved economic maturity at a time when counterfeiting was not ostensibly illegal. My thesis simply supports the claim that counterfeiting in developing countries deserves a balanced approach of regulation, rather than acting too harshly against the imitators.

What is the most useful or important thing you have learned from your studies at UTS? My time at UTS:Law has helped me to choose methods that best suit my own research. More broadly, I learned how to do legal research, from critically looking at existing literature, to narrowing down my topic and developing the research question. Essentially, I improved the general method of conducting research, which will be beneficial to me throughout my academic career.

What would your advice be for someone who is looking at undertaking research in Law at UTS? We do research for people and because of people. UTS:Law is committed to this principle, and so am I.