4
In this year's Report published by the USTR on 30 April, Hong Kong was mentioned under the "Other Observations" category, amongst 19 other trading partners, and is subject to "out-of-cycle" review by the USTR.
Except for countries/territories named in the "Priority Foreign Country List", the US law does not require Special 301 action against countries/territories named in any of the other categories. Hence there will not be any threat of trade sanction against Hong Kong.
Following is a detailed summary of measures undertaken by the Hong Kong Government to combat copyright piracy:
Closer liaison with IPR enforcement authorities in China
We recognise the importance of forging closer liaison and cooperation with IPR enforcement authorities in China to stop pirated copyright products from entering into Hong Kong.
We have established specific contact points with the IPR enforcement authorities in the Guangdong Province and we have been doing the same with respect to the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone.
Agreement has also been reached on the exchange of information and intelligence, the organisation of visits and seminars and, where appropriate, the mounting of parallel operations by the Hong Kong and relevant Chinese authorities at the Hong Kong-China border.
A number of high-level visits and seminars have been and will be organised to enhance greater cooperation with the IPR authorities in China.
Vigorous enforcement action at the retail, distribution and importation levels
At the retail level, a series of territory-wide mega-raids was mounted. In each territory-wide mega-raid, the Hong Kong Customs raided shopping arcades throughout Hong Kong, including Golden Shopping Arcade and Wanchai 298. Raids were conducted at various times and days of the week in order to maximise the surprise element and hence effectiveness.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.