ENG-1996 — Page 376

PUBLIC ORDER

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operations with the Chinese Customs took place to prevent the smuggling of pirated and counterfeit goods across the border.

The department continued to take vigorous action against the sale of pirated music CD, video CD and CD-ROM, and counterfeit watches, leather goods and clothing. Operations were conducted at hawker stalls, retail shops, storage places, distribution centres and the border control points. In 1996, the department seized pirated goods worth $48.6 million and prosecuted 1 432 persons under the Copyright Ordinance. It also seized counterfeit and falsely labelled goods valued at $151.6 million and prosecuted 794 people under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance. Prosecution results in 1996 indicate that the courts are treating copyright and trade mark offences more seriously than in previous years.

In collaboration with other government agencies, the department sought stronger and more comprehensive legislation. The Intellectual Property (World Trade Organisation Amendments) Ordinance was enacted in May 1996 to enable Hong Kong to fulfil its international obligations under the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights of the World Trade Organisation to protect intellectual property rights. The new legislation empowers the department to investigate local people and organisations engaged in copyright piracy outside Hong Kong and to detain imported pirated and counterfeit goods so as to enable the rights holders to take civil proceedings against the importers.

World Customs Organisation

Hong Kong is a member of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) (established as the Customs Co-operation Council). The WCO aims to facilitate international trade by securing harmony and uniformity in customs systems world wide, through inter- governmental co-operation.

The department is active in WCO meetings and seminars, particularly those concerning customs enforcement and techniques. The WCO's Regional Intelligence Liaison Office for the ESCAP region has been based in Hong Kong since 1987 and works closely with the department. Officers of the department also assist in WCO training activities, both in Hong Kong and overseas.

The department hosted a regional seminar on enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights in January. Thirty-two delegates from 18 Customs administrations in the Asia and the Pacific Region attended the seminar, together with 20 representatives from the business community of Intellectual Property Rights Associations. The success of the seminar is indicative of the efforts which the WCO and individual Customs administrations and private sectors participants contribute in the international war against piracy.

In June 1996, the department hosted the 35th Session of the WCO's Policy Commission and the 87th/88th Council Sessions. About 300 delegates comprising heads and senior officials from 116 Customs administrations and nine international organisations attended the meetings. The conference reinforced Hong Kong Customs' international standing and Hong Kong's status as a separate Customs territory.

Performance Pledges

The department's third set of performance pledges was published in April 1996. Several new pledges were added covering Motor Vehicle First Registration Tax