ENG-2009 — Page 163

Commerce and Industry | 111

For effective enforcement against piracy and counterfeiting activities, the department fosters industry support and co-operation through the Intellectual Property Rights Protection Alliance (IPRPA) and various associations representing copyright and trade mark owners.

Public Education

The Intellectual Property Department conducts programmes in schools to promote respect for intellectual property rights. In 2009, the school visits programme covered 74 schools and 22 241 students. The department also launched an Interactive Drama Programme in primary and secondary schools.

The Intellectual Property Department launched a series of announcements promoting protection of intellectual property rights among enterprises in Hong Kong. The department also ran an Intellectual Capital Management (ICM) Consultancy Programme from March 2009 to January 2010 which provided a free consultancy service to local organisations especially SMEs. The consultancy service helped organisations apply ICM tools to maximise their business potential. Up to December 2009, 315 organisations had taken part in the programme.

Co-operation with Mainland Counterparts

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The Intellectual Property Department worked closely with its Mainland counterparts at national level, as well as Pan-Pearl River Delta and Guangdong Province regional levels to promote the protection and management of intellectual property rights. Activities included the Mainland, Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR Intellectual Property Symposium, a seminar for small and medium enterprises, joint conferences and exchange activities. Hong Kong and Guangdong Province also signed a co-operation agreement on intellectual property in August 2009.

The Customs and Excise Department strengthened co-operation with its. Mainland counterparts in exchanging experience and information on the detection. and prosecution of intellectual property-related offences. Over the years, the Customs administrations of Hong Kong and the Guangdong Province have co-ordinated regular joint interception of infringing goods smuggled across the boundaries.

Participation in International Organisations

To keep abreast of international developments in intellectual property protection, the Intellectual Property Department participated in various international forums, including the activities of the WTO Council for Trade-related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights and conferences at the WIPO. The department also represented Hong Kong, China at other international and regional intellectual property symposiums and conferences, including the 28th and 29th meetings of the APEC Intellectual Property Experts Group held in Singapore.

Professional Services Development Assistance Scheme

A $100 million Professional Services Development Assistance Scheme was launched in 2002 to provide funding support, on an equal matching basis, for