s at the Dr. At
30 their ectrical
✔erseas
local
namely >pment
verseas
more
ctivity ustrial ry and 2, the
:h and Kong ch the
acting lesign
que to
icient ew is ward est of
ance s for
sing
ring
tual
:tual
are
port
7.19.
This has led to the situation where the major importing countries have demanded that export-led developing countries provide adequate protection for intellectual property in return for access to the import markets of the developed countries. This is exemplified by the importance accorded to the subject of Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property (TRIPS) on the agenda of the Uruguay Round negotiations held under the auspices of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). Whilst agreement on TRIPS appears to be still some distance away, it is likely that the major industrialised countries will continue to require that the intellectual property rights of their nationals be adequately protected by their trading partners.
7.20.
Hong Kong has generally been held out as an example of a regime that does provide both good legislation and effective enforcement. However a failure by Hong Kong to maintain an effective system of patent protection would be a significant weakness in its otherwise well respected intellectual property regime and adversely affect Hong Kong's image in the international trading community. We emphasise that the maintenance of a strong and effective patent system in Hong Kong is of vital importance to maintaining Hong Kong's economic position and status.
Promotion of local industry
7.21.
Hong Kong's principal resource is its workforce and it is highly dependent on international trade and the attraction of foreign investment. The success of its industry and manufacturing base has a key role in this. It is also important that Hong Kong businesses should continue to have access to, and invest in, the latest technology.
7.22.
Businessmen in Hong Kong will feel that their investment in high technology enterprise is justified only if their investment is protected. If there is adequate protection, local business will have a direct interest when employees make inventions, and research and development will be encouraged. As the economy upgrades its technological standards, more employment in higher value jobs is likely to result.
7.23.
A sound patent system in Hong Kong also assists Hong Kong manufacturers who wish to market their product in a number of different overseas countries. By patenting in Hong Kong, they can protect themselves from the manufacture of the same product in Hong Kong.
7.24.
The establishment of a comprehensive and efficient patent documentation and information retrieval system will assist local entrepreneurs to find technological solutions to their manufacturing problems quickly and cheaply and to keep abreast of technological developments. Technical information is discussed in chapter 15 of this report.
7.25.
WIPO takes the view that the encouragement of indigenous inventing activity is an important benefit brought by a patent system to the technological development of a country, in that the greater the level of inventive activity the greater the degree of economic self-reliance. This view appears to be amply borne out by the Japanese experience.
57