Asia IP

The Hong Kong Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Gregory So says that the city’s low taxes and top service sector make it the ideal location as an IP trading centre. So gave the opening remarks at the December 2012 Business of IP Asia Forum in Hong Kong.

More than 1,400 IP professionals and government representatives from 23 nations and jurisdictions gathered forum; attendance was double compared with 2011.

“Together with our sound financial and legal systems, a low-tax regime and world-class service industries, Hong Kong is fully equipped to pioneer new frontiers in the evolving IP landscape,” So said. “The government is committed to facilitating and promoting Hong Kong as a regional IP trading hub. Our IP department is reaching out to all relevant sectors to champion the cause.”

Fred Lam, executive director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, also spoke about opportunities for IP owners in Asia.

“A key factor driving IP trading today is the dramatic economic shift from west to east, and the equally significant rise of Asian consumption, particularly on the Chinese mainland,” he said. “Those realities bring with them extraordinary IP opportunities here in Asia, particularly for Hong Kong business and the growing critical mass of IP-related companies based here.”

Other speakers discussed licensing and trademarks, software copyright, patents in biotechnology and Chinese medicine and IP valuation.

Liu Yanxin from the China Patent Information Centre, State Intellectual Property Office, delivered the keynote luncheon address following remarks by the Hong Kong Intellectual Property Department Director Peter Cheung.