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INDUSTRY AND TRADE
been in force since 1976. Under the ordinance licences are issued, as appropriate, to allow legitimate trade in scheduled specimens to proceed. However, seizures and prosecutions. have been brought to court when sufficient evidence exists to prove that the ordinance has been contravened.
Metrication
In the field of metrication, the government's objective is the progressive adoption of the International System of Units (SI) in those areas for which it is responsible, and the positive encouragement of the use of metric units by the private sector. The Metrication Ordinance, enacted in 1976, provides for the eventual replacement of non-metric units by SI in all legislation in Hong Kong.
A Metrication Committee, with an unofficial chairman and consisting of government officials and representatives of industry, commerce, management and consumer affairs, was appointed by the Governor in January, 1978. The committee is the focal point of liaison on all matters concerning metrication, and it advises and encourages various groups within the private sector in the framing of their programmes for metrication. By the end of 1979, the committee had drawn up an outline for a five-year programme of activi- ties promoting SI.
During 1980, there was a generally increased public awareness of the topic, and progress was made in the adoption of SI in particular areas of the private sector and within the government. In the private sector, the plastics industry set up a programme for metric conversion commencing on April 1, 1980 (and scheduled for completion by 1983) while, in the public sector, postal services were metricated with effect from August 5, 1980. Plans and programmes for other sectors were also being drawn up.
A continuing effort was made in the fields of publicity and public education, with activi- ties which included a poster campaign, a television commercial and educational programme, and the publication of leaflets.
Trade Marks and Patents
三
Trade Marks are registered under the Trade Marks Ordinance, which is based on the United Kingdom Trade Marks Act 1938. The procedure is laid down in the Trade Marks Rules, and the prescribed forms may be obtained free of charge from the Trade Marks Registry, Registrar General's Department. Every mark, even if already registered in Britain or in any other country, must satisfy all, the requirements of the Hong Kong Trade Marks Ordinance before it may be accepted for registration. During 1980, 5,536 applications were received and 2,943, including many made in previous years, were accepted and allowed to be advertised. A total of 2,250 marks were registered. The principal countries of origin were:
Hong Kong
United States
United Kingdom
Japan
West Germany
603
France
466
Switzerland
257
Italy
240
191
Denmark Australia
128
88
56
33
28
The total number of marks on the register at December 31, 1980, was 35,478.
Although there is no original grant of patents in Hong Kong, the Registration of Patents Ordinance provides that any grantee of a United Kingdom patent or European Patent (UK) may, within five years from the date of its grant, apply to have the patent registered
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