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COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Hong Kong Design Centre
The establishment of the Hong Kong Design Centre (HKDC) was proposed by four leading design professional bodies in Hong Kong with a view to promoting the design industry and its competitiveness in the region as a service industry. With a grant and support from the Government, and a donation from the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, the HKDC commenced operation in September 2002. It is a multi-disciplinary design centre which aims to promote design as a value-added activity, raise design standards and foster design-related education, and raise the profile of Hong Kong as an innovative and creative hub.
Publicity and Promotional Events
The ITC organised the Hong Kong Student Science Project Competition, coordinated the State Science and Technology Awards and took the lead in coordinating Hong Kong's participation in the China Hi-Tech Fair 2002 held in Shenzhen. All these publicity and promotional events helped foster an innovation and technology culture in the community.
Protection of Intellectual Property Rights
The Government is committed to protecting intellectual property rights. This commitment is underpinned by a respect for private economic rights and a recognition of the importance of a robust protection regime for intellectual property rights to Hong Kong's economic growth. The intellectual property regime in the HKSAR is in full compliance with international standards.
Trade Marks
The Trade Marks Registry is responsible for the registration of trade marks in respect. of goods and services. Every mark must satisfy the requirements of the Trade Marks Ordinance before it can be accepted for registration in the HKSAR. The procedure for applying for registration is laid down in the Trade Marks Rules. In 2002, 20 446 applications were received, of which 15 728 were in respect of goods and 4 718 were in respect of services. During the period, 16 240 marks were registered, an increase of 14.2 per cent compared with 14 219 in 2001. Out of the total of 79 countries filing applications, the principal places from which applications originated were:
HK, China
5 903
France
731
USA
3 805
China
707
Japan
2 598
Switzerland
698
United Kingdom
1 059
Germany
809
British Vigin Islands Italy
587
467
The register had a total of 156 944 marks as at December 31, 2002.
The Intellectual Property Department has started to develop a new computer system, through an outsourced service provider, to facilitate the implementation of the new Trade Marks Ordinance, which is scheduled to come into force in 2003.