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INDUSTRY AND TRADE

The total number of trade marks on the register at December 31, 1993 was 66 670.

The Patents Registry registers patents that have been granted in the United Kingdom and European Patents (United Kingdom). The Registration of Patents Ordinance provides that any grantee of a United Kingdom Patent or European Patent (United Kingdom) may, within five years from the date of its grant, apply to have the patent registered in Hong Kong.

A total of 1 438 patents were registered in Hong Kong during the year, compared with 1069 in 1992. Registration of a United Kingdom Patent or European Patent (United Kingdom) 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.

Consumer Council

The Consumer Council was set up under the Consumer Council Ordinance in 1974 to protect and promote the interests of consumers of goods and services, as well as purchasers, mortgagors and lessees of immovable property. The council's chairman, vice-chairman and 20 other members are appointed by the Governor to represent a diversity of consumer interests. A Chief Executive heads the 101-strong office, which is divided into five sections: administration; complaints and advice; survey; research; and information and publication.

Since the late 1980s, Hong Kong has evolved from a manufacturing-based to a service-based economy. While a manufacturing-based, export-oriented economy is more attuned to competition in the international markets, a service-based economy is highly susceptible to domestic monopolies and the concentration of market power. This phenomenon is likely to be detrimental to consumer interests. The council has begun to look into the matter in recent years.

This aspect of work was intensified with the Governor, in his 1992 policy address, calling on the council to defend free markets and to help provide consumers with redress against unscrupulous business practices. A market structural analysis, including a study on restrictive trade practices and the behavioural aspects of the market, was underway at the end of the year. Parallel to the main study were five other sectoral studies to ascertain whether a competitive environment is maintained in the financial services, gas supply, supermarket, broadcasting and telecommunications industries. A final report is expected to be completed by mid-1994.

The council has submitted proposals to the government on the tendering of government carparks and the contracting-out arrangements for the management of parking meters. The proposals stressed the need to award the contracts to more than one operator, to promote competition.

The council's efforts to safeguard the interests of property buyers continued. Recom- mendations to regulate estate agents through legislation and a full licensing system were well-received by the trade and the public, and the matter is under active consideration the government. Meanwhile, the interest of the local population in the booming Chinese property market induced the council to make several study visits to Guangdong, to obtain first-hand information on the property transaction procedures adopted in the province. A series of articles were published subsequently in the council's monthly magazine, CHOICE, and a seminar on the topic was organised in May, offering advice to interested buyers.