ENG-1987 — Page 110

INDUSTRY AND TRADE

Metrication

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In the field of metrication, the government's objective is to facilitate progressive adoption of the International System of Units (SI) in those areas for which it is responsible, and the positive encouragement of the use of metric (SI) units by the private sector. The Metrication Ordinance, enacted in 1976, provides for the eventual replacement of non- metric units by SI units in all legislation in Hong Kong. Most government departments are now using metric units exclusively.

A Metrication Committee, consisting of representatives of industry, commerce, manage- ment and consumer affairs, and government officials appointed by the Governor, is the focal point of liaison on all matters concerning metrication. It advises and encourages the commercial and industrial sectors in the framing of their metrication programmes. Partly through the efforts of the committee, public awareness of metrication has increased, and considerable progress has been made in the adoption of metric units in the private sector.

Trade Marks and Patents

The Trade Marks Registry, which is a sub-division of the Commercial Division of the Registrar General's Department, is a registry of original registration. Trade marks are registered under the Trade Marks Ordinance, the provisions of which are similar to trade marks legislation in the United Kingdom. The procedure in applying for registration is laid down in the Trade Marks Rules, and the prescribed forms may be obtained free from the Trade Marks Registry, Registrar General's Department. Every mark, even if already registered in the United Kingdom or any other country, must satisfy all the requirements of the Trade Marks Ordinance before it may be accepted for registration. During 1987, 8 510 applications were received and 3912, including many made in previous years, were accepted and allowed to be advertised. A total of 3 460 marks were registered in 1987, compared with 3 120 in 1986. The principal countries of origin were: United States of America, 811; Hong Kong, 740; Japan, 396; United Kingdom, 281; West Germany, 245; France, 229; Switzerland, 141; Italy, 126; Netherlands, 71; Taiwan, 51. The total number of marks on the register at December 31, 1987 was 48 616.

Unlike the Trade Marks Registry, the Patents Registry, which is another sub-division of the Commercial Division of the Registrar General's Department, is not a registry of original registration. The Registration of Patents Ordinance provides that any grantee of a United Kingdom patent or European Patent (UK) may, within five years from the date of its grant, apply to have the patent registered in Hong Kong.

A total of 1 020 patents were registered in this way during the year, compared with 1 010 in 1986. Registration of a United Kingdom patent or European Patent (UK) in Hong Kong confers on the grantee the same privileges and rights as if the patent had been granted in the United Kingdom with an extension to Hong Kong. The privileges and rights run from the commencement of the term of the patent in the United Kingdom, and continue as long as the patent remains in force there.

Companies Registry

The Companies Registry of the Registrar General's Department keeps records of all companies incorporated in Hong Kong and of all overseas companies that have established a place of business in Hong Kong.

Local companies are incorporated under the Companies Ordinance, which was originally based, to a large extent, on the Companies Act 1929 – formerly in force in Britain but now replaced by various statutes culminating in the Companies Act 1985. However, following