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Commerce and Industry
In addition to targeted raids, officers carry out intensive and high-profile patrols in high-risk areas to deter the peddling of pirated and counterfeit goods, including street sales. In 2018, the department arrested 145 people in 119 piracy cases and confiscated goods, mostly pirated optical discs, worth $7 million. It also seized counterfeit goods worth $98 million and arrested 662 people in 897 cases of forged trade marks.
The department liaises with businesses to investigate cases and promote protection of intellectual property rights.
Public Education
The Intellectual Property Department promotes the value of intellectual property trading and the importance of protecting intellectual property rights. In 2018, nine trade associations with over 1,100 retail merchants, covering more than 6,600 outlets, took part in its No Fakes Pledge scheme. Through school visits and interactive dramas, the department reached out to 186 schools and over 49,500 students. Events were also organised to promote creativity among the city's youth.
Intellectual Property Trading
The Intellectual Property Department promotes the commercialisation and trading of intellectual property in Hong Kong and strengthens Hong Kong's role as an intellectual property trading hub in the Asia-Pacific region. The department offers free consultation service, the Intellectual Property Manager Scheme and, in collaboration with stakeholders, training courses. It promotes intellectual property auditing and due diligence, showcases success stories and works with the Department of Justice to promote arbitration and mediation in resolving intellectual property disputes. In December, the department released a summary of survey results on intellectual property manpower in Hong Kong. The findings showed that a wide range of industries were engaged in intellectual property intermediary services and trading and management activities, and needed the relevant manpower.
Cooperation with Mainland
The Intellectual Property Department works with its Mainland counterparts, including those in the Greater Bay Area, to promote intellectual property protection, management and trading.
The Customs and Excise Department exchanges experience and information with its Mainland. counterparts on the detection and prosecution of intellectual property-related offences. It conducts regular joint operations with Guangdong customs to intercept the cross-boundary movement of infringing goods, and collaborates with the Economic Crime Investigation Bureau of the Guangdong Provincial Public Security Department to share intelligence and provide mutual assistance in fighting online piracy.
Participation in International Organisations
The Intellectual Property Department takes part in events of the WTO's Council for Trade-related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights and the World Intellectual Property Organisation, and at meetings of the APEC Intellectual Property Experts Group.
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