Hong Kong IPD Urges Business Community To Protect Olympic IP

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

28 May 2007

In a statement published last week, the Hong Kong Intellectual Property Department (IPD) warned the territory's business community against the infringement of intellectual property relating to the 2008 Olympic Games, which will be held in Beijing.

The IPD stated that:

"Hong Kong is proud to have been appointed to co-host the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian Events. Supporting Beijing in hosting the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games is a great and rare honour for the Hong Kong Community."

It went on to add that:

"Hong Kong is committed to uphold Olympic IP rights and the rights of the official sponsors. To achieve this, we need to -

a) protect Olympic IP against misuse and infringement;

b) prevent any attempt by a third party to associate itself directly or indirectly with the Olympic Games to gain recognition and benefits without paying sponsorship fees."

With this in mind, the IP Department went on to caution the Hong Kong business community against the incorporation of Olympic signs, symbols and logos into their advertising materials or businesses, and the importation or manufacture of Olympic-related products, unless they were conducting these activities in the capacity of official sponsors.

"As a member of the Hong Kong business community, you need to be aware of certain restrictions on developing any campaign or promotion which unfairly creates a link to the Games," it explained, continuing:

"These restrictions are necessary to meet Hong Kong's obligations under the Olympic Charter and to ensure that Beijing is able to fully honour its obligation relating to hosting the 2008 Olympics."

Recommended