124 | Commerce and Industry
Publicity and Promotional Events
The ITC organised the Innovation Festival 05 from July to October to foster a culture of innovation and technology in the community. The festival, which featured an innovation expo, a competition, 'My Favourite Inventions for Quality Living', a new thematic web portal, youth day, roadshows, seminars and workshops, showcased Hong Kong's technological achievements. The ITC also organised the 2005 Hong Kong Student Science Project Competition, nominated entries for the State Science and Technology Awards and set up a Hong Kong Pavilion in the China Hi-Tech Fair 2005.
Protection of Intellectual Property Rights
With its comprehensive legislation, convenient registration, vigorous enforcement and imaginative public education, Hong Kong has gained a well- deserved reputation for effective protection of intellectual property.
Registration
Users of Hong Kong's intellectual property registration systems can now look up registration details over the Internet free of charge from anywhere in the world. Applicants for patent, trademark and design registrations can submit their applications electronically in a secure and user-friendly environment. Applicants and the receiving office both benefit from the electronic service system, which helps to save time and reduce simple errors. The ability to file applications 24 hours a day, seven days a week is a welcome service enhancement for the Intellectual Property Department's international clients. In 2005, over 40 per cent of the department's clients filed electronically.
Trade Marks
The Trade Marks Registry is responsible for the registration of goods and services trade marks. In 2005, 20 877 applications were received, comprising 13 444 single-class applications and 7 433 multiple-class applications. During the period, 19 689 marks were registered, a decrease of 1.3 per cent compared with 19 940 in 2004. Out of the total of 101 countries filing applications, the principal places from which applications originated were:
HK, China
7 485
France
646
US
3 064
United Kingdom
592
Mainland China
2 203
Switzerland
555
Japan
1 762
Italy
498
Germany
672
Taiwan, province of China
464
The register had a total of 200 456 marks by the end of the year.