Mr J Stephen Barclay
Principal Assistant Secretary for Trade & Industry Trade and Industry Branch
[Up to 27 December 1989]
(Secretary to the Committee)
Mrs Teresa Grant
Senior Solicitor
Intellectual Property Department
(joint Secretary from 28 September 1990)
Mr Lincoln Siliakus
Senior Solicitor
Intellectual Property Department
(joint Secretary from 28 September 1990)
Method of working
2.5.
The PSC met on 100 occasions. The legislation and patents systems of Hong Kong's major trading partners and regional neighbours were studied. An extensive range of material was considered, in particular, the United Kingdom Patents Act 1977 (1977 Act) and the European Patent Convention (EPC). An outline and description of the salient features of a proposed Hong Kong Patents Bill based on the recommendations made in chapters 9 and 12 is included at chapter 10 and Annexure 1.
Consultation
2.6.
In addition to the consultation process referred to in paragraph 2.1, the PSC informally sought the views of interested individuals, organisations and government and statutory bodies, both locally and overseas. Advice and comments were sought from the European Patent Office (EPO), the United Kingdom Patent Office (UKPO) and the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO).
Study visits
2.7.
A number of visits were made during the PSC's study. Mr de Speville visited the EPO in Munich in April 1987, the UKPO and the British Library in June 1988 and September 1989 and WIPO in Geneva in April 1987 and June 1989. Miss Waters attended courses at the Japanese Patent Office in November 1986 and the EPO in the Hague and Munich from 10 October to 4 November 1988. Mr Siliakus attended a training seminar on technical information as an aid to industrial development conducted by WIPO and EPO from 10 September to 30 September 1991 in Geneva, the Hague and Munich. Mr Barclay and Mr Lynd visited the Singapore Patent Office and the Singapore Institute of Standards and Industrial Research on 13 December 1988. Miss Waters attended the 7th and 8th sessions of the Committee of Experts on the Harmonisation of Certain Provisions in Laws for the Protection of Inventions and the first part of the Diplomatic Conference on this subject held under the auspices of WIPO.
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