XN000022-1996-01-02 — Page 4

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Efforts to protect intellectual property rights continue

The Director of Intellectual Property, Mr Stephen Selby, today (Tuesday) stressed Hong Kong's continuing commitment to the protection of intellectual property rights.

Speaking at a meet-the-media session, Mr Selby said: "Around the world, it is recognised that Hong Kong is making enormous efforts to develop a strong, local intellectual property protection system in time for the transfer of sovereignty in 1997, when British intellectual property laws will no longer apply here.

"Although enforcement of intellectual property rights remains a challenge - as it does throughout the world - we remain a place which is highly regarded for its professionalism in protection of intellectual property rights, preparation of our laws, and intellectual property law enforcement by the Customs and Excise Department."

On developments over the past year in Hong Kong's intellectual property protection system, Mr Selby said agreement was reached in the Joint Liaison Group (JLG) on localisation of intellectual property laws.

"As a result of the successful conclusion of discussions in the JLG, we have the green light for the continued application of the Patent Co-operation Treaty to Hong Kong after 1997. and completion of drafting of Hong Kong's localised Registration of Patents Bill and localised Registered Designs Bill," he said.

Other significant developments during the year included the setting up of an INTERNET information centre on Intellectual Property in Hong Kong and the Intellectual Property Department's (IPD) visit to Beijing and Shanghai in March and April.

During the year, the IPD's Trademark Registry had achieved its performance pledge in full for the first time. The department's Mission Statement was developed and promulgated in 1995, Mr Selby added.

Looking into 1996, he said a package of legislation was being prepared for introduction into the Legislative Council.

In the coming year, IPD would be jointly organising a seminar on intellectual property in Shanghai with Chinese intellectual property organisations.