HK Survey Reveals High Business Awareness Of IP Issues

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

04 May 2004

Following completion of the Hong Kong Intellectual Property Department's first annual "Survey on Business Attitudes to Intellectual Property", it has emerged that awareness of IP-related issues amongst Hong Kong businesses is very high.

Of the more than 1,200 businesses polled by the IP Department, more than 90% understood what items are protected by intellectual property rules, and 95% believed that measures to protect intellectual property rights in Hong Kong's business environment were necessary.

Commenting on the results, IP Department director, Stephen Selby observed that:

"The survey indicates that businessmen in Hong Kong understand the importance of intellectual property in developing creative industries, as well as in revitalizing the economy of Hong Kong."

However, the survey also revealed that of the businesses questioned, only 12.5% had registered trademarks, patents, or designs in Hong Kong, a figure which led Mr Selby to add that:

"Although almost 70% of business establishments understand the difference between trademark registration and business/company registration, the government will continue to step up effort in clearing up any misunderstandings of our intellectual (property) protection system."

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