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profession, intellectual property rights organisations and foreign enforcement agencies to advance intellectual property rights protection.
During the year, the department seized $29 million worth of goods under the Copyright Ordinance. Its continued enforcement efforts greatly reduced piracy involving television and computer games. Meanwhile, a new type of music piracy emerged, involving the infringement of compact discs. Large quantities of illegally-produced compact discs were seized from hawkers, distribution centres and border control points.
The department also seized $176 million worth of counterfeit and falsely-labelled goods in 1993. Due to vigorous enforcement action, most of the syndicates were forced to set up their manufacturing bases outside Hong Kong. Efforts were also made to eradicate fake watches, leather goods and clothing from retail outlets.
Performance Pledges
In response to the 'Serving the Community' scheme launched by the government, the de- partment announced its performance pledges in September. These cover services including cargo and vehicular traffic clearance at control points, the processing of applications for licences and permits, customs attendance and counter services. The establishment of users' committees is being investigated, to reinforce the pledges by involving representatives of major trades and members of the public in monitoring the standard of services supplied.
Police Complaints Committee
The main function of the Police Complaints Committee is to monitor and review investigations, by the Complaints Against Police Office (CAPO) of the Royal Hong Kong Police, of complaints made against the police by members of the public. Set up in 1986 to replace the former UMELCO Police Group, the committee is an independent body appointed by the Governor. The chairman is normally drawn from the Executive Council, while the two vice-chairmen are drawn from the Legislative Council. Committee members include eight Justices of the Peace, the Attorney General or his representative and the Commissioner for Administrative Complaints.
During the year, the committee endorsed 3 520 complaint cases, after being satisfied that each case had been thoroughly and impartially investigated by CAPO. Arising from the reviewing of these complaint cases, the committee proposed a number of changes to police practices, procedures and instructions, with a view to improving the overall effectiveness of the complaint system and assisting the Commissioner of Police in minimising public complaints against the police.
Independent Commission Against Corruption
The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) is independent of the civil service; its Commissioner is directly responsible to the Governor. It fights corruption on three fronts: investigation, prevention and education. This work is carried out through three functional departments Operations, Corruption Prevention and Community Relations.
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The ICAC received a total of 3 284 reports of corruption allegations in 1993. Of these, 1 798 reports concerned the private sector, which was an increase of 54 per cent compared with 1992. Another 1 365 reports were made against civil servants, an increase of 32 per cent. There were 113 reports against employees of public bodies, compared with 58 in 1992.