Earlier this month, hundreds of students of a primary school in Tin Shui Wai enjoyed an entertaining performance by a local drama troupe in the school hall.

However, it was no ordinary play. It carried a significant message beneath the lightheartedness, as it was a production by the Intellectual Property Department.

Interactive drama

The play tells the story of the main character who steals his father's design and participates in the school's sportswear design competition. As a result, his father's company falls into crisis.

This interactive drama workshop aims to raise awareness about the consequences of Internet infringement and promote respect for creativity, originality, and intellectual property (IP) rights among such students.

Actors engaged with the audience by asking students how they would respond to the scenario presented to them.

Some students believed that learning about IP through interactive dramas is more enjoyable than traditional classroom discussions.

Creative engagement

Primary 6 student Kuromi Cheung said she learnt a lot about the importance of respecting IP rights online.

“The show used fun ways to tell us how our everyday actions can impact creators and the value of creativity.”

Primary 6 student Hasan Cheung described the show as being very interesting and hilarious. “I learnt a lot about IP knowledge,” he added.

In addition to primary schools, the department also collaborated with another theatre group to produce an interactive drama targeting secondary school students.

Public awareness

Assistant Director of Intellectual Property (Advisory) Derek Lau said in terms of education and promotion, the department will promote IP awareness to students through activities, like interactive drama performances and school talks.

“Due to the enthusiastic response from schools, we have completed our goal of reaching over 100,000 students during this government term.

“The 2024 Policy Address has announced that we will continue to promote IP awareness to 200,000 students, doubling our original target.

“We hope to reinforce awareness of respecting and protecting IP rights, through lively and engaging ways, and encourage students to actively explore and innovate.”

IP-related training

Additionally, the department has been organising and sponsoring training courses on IP-related subjects to cater for the needs of small and medium enterprises, startups, business chambers, etc.

With a target of providing IP training for 5,000 personnel across different industries within the current term of the Government, the department seeks to help them seize the opportunities brought by IP trading.