INDUSTRY AND TRADE
Metrication
The government's metrication policy is to facilitate progressive adoption of the International System of Units (SI) in those areas for which it is responsible, and to encourage the use of metric (SI) units by the private sector. The Metrication Ordinance, enacted in 1976, provides for the eventual replacement of non-metric units by SI units in all legislation in Hong Kong. Most government departments are now using metric units exclusively.
A Metrication Committee, consisting of representatives of industry, commerce, management and consumer affairs, and government officials appointed by the Governor, is the focal point of liaison on all matters concerning metrication. It advises and encourages the commercial and industrial sectors in the framing of their metrication programmes. Considerable progress has been made in the adoption of metric units in the private sector.
During the year, the committee continued to direct its activities towards the metrication of the retail trade sector. A publicity campaign was mounted to encourage the use of metric units in the sale of vegetables and fruit by means of television announcements and the distribution of posters and conversion cards.
Trade Marks and Patents
The Intellectual Property Department was set up on July 2, 1990, to take over the Trade Marks and Patents Registries and ultimately to be responsible for all intellectual property matters. The Trade Marks Registry is a registry of original registration. Trade Marks are registered under the Trade Marks Ordinance, the provisions of which are similar to trade marks legislation in the United Kingdom. The procedure in applying for registration is laid down in the Trade Marks Rules, and the prescribed forms may be obtained free from the Trade Marks Registry, Intellectual Property Department. Every mark, even if already registered in the United Kingdom or any other country, must satisfy all the requirements of the Trade Marks Ordinance before it may be accepted for registration. During 1990, 10 530 applications were received and 4 385, including many made in previous years, were accepted and allowed to be advertised. A total of 4020 marks were registered in 1990, compared with 4 060 in 1989. The principal places of origin were:
104
United States
Hong Kong
Japan
France
United Kingdom
883
749
398
340
298
West Germany Italy Switzerland
248
236
163
145
Taiwan
The Netherlands
The total number of marks on the register at December 31, 1990 was 56 942.
88
Unlike the Trade Marks Registry, the Patents Registry which also forms part of the Intellectual Property Department, is not a registry of original registration. 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 in Hong Kong.
A total of 1 095 patents were registered in this way during the year, compared with 1 030 in 1989. Registration of a United Kingdom Patent or European Patent (UK) in Hong Kong confers on the grantee the same privileges and rights as if the patent had been granted in the United Kingdom with an extension to Hong Kong. The privileges and rights