3.
(4)
of the member states of the European Patent Convention (The member states are Belgium, Denmark, France, Federal Republic of Germany, Greece, Republic of Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom).
Alternatively, it may be possible to register patents granted by the newly established Patent Office of the People's Republic of China.
(5) Subject to further consideration and
(6)
negotiations, it may even be possible and indeed desirable to register patents granted by the European Patent Office, the Chinese Patent Office and other patent offices of international importance.
The local innovator seldom seeks to obtain a full patent for his innovation because the grant of the patent takes too long, and is both difficult and costly to get. Rarely does an innovation of Hong Kong warrant the trouble and expense of obtaining protection for a period of 20 yeerз. The Working Croup is only aware of a comparatively minimal number of applications for registration by Hong Kong inventors per year.
(7) The needs of the small businessman may be
better met by the lesser protection given by a "petty patent" or "utility model". Petty patents would be easier and cheaper to obtain because they are not usually examined before award. It would give sufficient protection to allow commercial exploitation if the term granted is no more than 10-years
(8) If liong Kong is to introduce a 2-tier patent
system, it is expected to operate in one of the following ways:-
(a) To set up a Petty Patents Registry in
Hong Kong where petty patents can be granted; or
(b) To register Petty Patents obtained
elsewera anu thereupon 320 it rights in Hong Kon This would follow the method whereby United Kingdon nateats are registered in long on now.
writ
Viny
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