************************************************************
Members of the public are reminded to give their views on the further development of Hong Kong's patent system on or before December 31, a spokesman for the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau said today (December 12).
On October 4, the Government issued a consultation paper seeking views from the public and stakeholders on how we should position Hong Kong's patent system to meet future challenges. The paper outlined the key features of the current patent registration regime and the situations in some other jurisdictions, and set out possible options for addressing the issues identified together with relevant considerations.
"We have an open mind on how the various issues raised in the consultation paper should be addressed and also welcome suggestions on other facilitation measures that may be introduced, in the interest of encouraging local innovation and attracting more overseas research and development centres to set up their operations in Hong Kong. We will consider the views received carefully before formulating the Government's proposals. We hope to publish the proposed way forward in the first half of 2012," the spokesman said.
The major issues for consultation include:
(a) Standard patents: Whether Hong Kong should have its own "original grant" patent system. The other main issue is whether the current "re-registration" system should be maintained, and, if so, whether the system should be expanded to recognise the patents granted by jurisdictions other than the current three "designated patent offices".
(b) Short-term patents: Whether the short-term patent system should be retained as a supplement to standard patents, and, if so, what measures should be introduced to enhance the efficacy of the system.
(c) Regulation of patent agency services: Whether the provision of patent agency services in Hong Kong should be regulated, and, if so, what form the regulatory system should take.
The consultation paper may be obtained from the Public Enquiry Services Centres of District Offices, or downloaded from the websites of the Commerce, Industry and Tourism Branch (CITB) of the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau (www.cedb.gov.hk/citb) or the Intellectual Property Department (www.ipd.gov.hk). Members of the public and stakeholders may send their views to the CITB by post (23/F, West Wing, Central Government Offices, 2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar, Hong Kong), fax (2147 3065) or e-mail (patent_review@citb.gov.hk).
Ends/Monday, December 12, 2011
Issued at HKT 14:31
NNNN
