ENG-1992 — Page 116

INDUSTRY AND TRADE

To ensure continuity of supply, the department maintains goods which are generally required by other departments in its main stores in Hong Kong and Kowloon and four sub-stores specially established to serve the engineering workshops. It also seconds supplies staff to other departments to ensure a professional approach to acquisition and maintenance of stores and equipment.

In 1991-2, the department placed orders to a total value of HK$3,207 million. The top major sources of supply were the United States, United Kingdom, China, Japan and Hong Kong. Major items of purchase included computer systems, rations and pharmaceuticals.

Trade Marks and Patents

The Intellectual Property Department provides a focal point for the development of Hong Kong's intellectual property regime and includes the Trade Marks and Patents Registries.

The Trade Marks Registry 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. Since March 2, 1992, it has been possible to register trade marks for services as well as goods. 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, Intellectual Property Department. Every mark, even if already registered in the United Kingdom or any other country, must satisfy the requirements of the Trade Marks Ordinance before it may be accepted for registration. During 1992, 16 456 applications were received, 10 586 of which were in respect of goods and 5870 in respect of services. Applications totalling 5 859, including many made in previous years, were accepted and allowed to be advertised. A total of 5 500 marks were registered in 1992, compared with 4 340 in 1991. The principal places of applicants' origin

were:

United States Hong Kong

Japan

France Italy

United Kingdom Germany

1 355

973

759

Switzerland

362

317

Taiwan Singapore

290

287

237

141

83

92

The total number of marks on the register at December 31, 1992 was 62 866.

Unlike the Trade Marks Registry, the Patents Registry, which also forms part of the Intellectual Property Department, is not a registry of original registration. It registers patents that have been granted in the United Kingdom and European Patents (UK). 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 1 069 patents were registered in Hong Kong during the year, compared with 1 079 in 1991. 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 for as long as the patent remains in force there.