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Commerce and Industry

1,052 retail merchants, covering 6,685 outlets, took part in its 'No Fakes Pledge' scheme. Through school visit and interactive drama programmes, the department also reached out to 200 schools and 54,258 students.

Intellectual Property Trading

The Working Group on Intellectual Property Trading recommended 28 measures in 2015 to develop Hong Kong as a premier regional intellectual property trading hub under four strategic areas: enhancing the intellectual property protection regime; supporting intellectual property creation and exploitation; fostering intellectual property intermediary services and manpower capacity; and pursuing promotion, education and external collaboration. The Intellectual Property Department has implemented a number of support measures, such as launching an intellectual property consultation service, an intellectual property manager scheme and public education campaigns that include videos showcasing success stories. The department is also sponsoring and promoting training courses related to intellectual property organised by stakeholders, and plans to conduct a survey on the manpower engaged in intellectual property trading and management in Hong Kong.

Cooperation with Mainland

The Intellectual Property Department works closely with its Mainland counterparts at the national, regional and provincial levels to promote intellectual property protection, management and trading.

The Customs and Excise Department maintains close cooperation with its Mainland counterparts in exchanging experience and information on the detection and prosecution of intellectual property-related offences. Hong Kong and Guangdong customs conduct regular joint operations to intercept infringing goods smuggled across the boundaries. The department and the National Copyright Administration provide mutual administrative assistance in the fight against internet piracy.

Participation in International Organisations

The Intellectual Property Department takes part in international forums, including events of the WTO's Council for Trade-related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights and the World Intellectual Property Organisation, and represents Hong Kong, China, at international and regional symposiums and conferences, including meetings of the Apec Intellectual Property Experts Group.

Business Facilitation

The Business Facilitation Advisory Committee and its task forces advise the government on the development and implementation of programmes and measures to facilitate business compliance with government regulations and to sustain a competitive regulatory environment for business in Hong Kong while safeguarding the public interest. The advisory committee is made up of representatives from the business, academic, professional and political sectors and senior government officials from the relevant bureaus.

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