ENG-2010 — Page 157

Commerce and Industry | 111

To support the further development of wine trading and distribution businesses in Hong Kong, the department has set up a dedicated enforcement team since August 2008 to combat possible wine-related counterfeiting activities.

Customs-Business Partnership

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 continues to conduct programmes in schools to promote respect for intellectual property rights. In 2010, the school visits programme covered 91 schools and 24 116 students. The department also launched an Interactive Drama Programme on 'Anti-Internet Piracy' in primary and secondary schools.

Following the passage of the Copyright (Amendment) Ordinance 2009 concerning the copying and distribution offence in relation to making or handling infringing copies of newspapers, books and periodicals in the course of business, the Intellectual Property Department launched a series of publicity activities to enhance business organisations' awareness and understanding of the new provisions and help organisations guard against business end-user piracy.

The department also ran the second phase of the Intellectual Capital Management (ICM) Consultancy Programme from March 2010 to March 2011 providing a free service to local organisations especially SMEs. The consultancy service helps organisations apply ICM tools to maximise their business potential. Up to December 2010, 580 organisations had taken part in the programme.

Co-operation with Mainland Counterparts

The Intellectual Property Department worked closely with its relevant Mainland counterparts at the national level, as well as authorities in the Pan-Pearl River Delta region and Guangdong Province to promote the protection and management of intellectual property rights. Activities in 2010 included the Mainland, Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR Intellectual Property Symposium, a seminar for SMEs, joint conferences and exchange programmes.

The Customs and Excise Department maintains close 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 conducted regular joint operations to intercept infringing goods smuggled across the boundaries.

The department entered into a co-operative arrangement with the National Copyright Administration in March 2010 to strengthen co-operation by providing mutual administrative assistance in the fight against internet piracy with a view to better protecting the interests of the intellectual property right owners.