China-Hong Kong IP Talks Preserve Status Quo

by Mary Swire, for LawAndTax-News.com, Hong Kong

07 July 2004

Following a high-level meeting of officials from Hong Kong's Intellectual Property Department, Customs Department and Commerce Bureau with their counterparts in the Chinese province of Guangdong, it was agreed that information exchange on intellectual property (IP) matters will continue to take place via Chinese customs officials.

Proposals had been put forward which would have allowed Hong Kong Customs to contact the six official bodies which deal with IP law enforcement in the Chinese province directly in order to exchange information.

However, it was eventually decided that the current channels are the most efficient way of directing and requesting information on the infringement of IP laws.

Speaking to the South China Morning Post at the weekend, Hong Kong Customs official, YK Tam explained that the possibility of amending procedures in the future has not been ruled out, but that for the moment:

"They have proved to be a very effective conduit, they know the system very well in Guangdong and who to contact in particular situations."

However, he went on to reiterate that "we will revisit this issue in future meetings to review progress".

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