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provide a worthwhile data bank. Over the last 10 years
some 7,000 patents were registered. In 1981 alone there were
over 39,000 patents applications in the United Kingdom. The
Hong Kong inventor who plans to market his invention beyond
the confines of the domestic market and who wants to know if
his invention is sufficiently novel to be patentable abroad
must in any event conduct searches of patent offices overseas.
For the inventor, researcher or manufacturer who want to know
the state of the art in any particular field the Hong Kong
registry is totally inadequate. He would have to search the
patent offices in London, Munich, Washington and wherever.
The wider significance of the present system
18.
demonstrates that
Thus far the examination of the present system
Hong Kong innovator derives little
the
benefit from it. Three further aspects require consideration:
the Government's right to make use of a patented invention;
the encouragement of investment in Hong Kong by foreign firms;
the international aspects of Hong Kong's participation in a
recognised patent system.
The Crown's right to work patents
Any Government department may use, or authorise
others to use, any patented invention registered in Hong Kong
"for the services of the Crown". The owner of the registered
patent is entitled to compensation for any use by the Government
19.
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