Guangdong and Hong Kong have agreed to step up co-operation to raise public awareness of intellectual property in both regions, with seminars to be staged to show enterprises how copyright can be used as a tool for wealth creation and sharpening their competitive edge.

At the Guangdong/Hong Kong Expert Group on the Protection of Intellectual Property Rights' sixth meeting held in Guangzhou today, both sides reviewed the latest intellectual property developments in the two regions and concluded that many co-operation items have been successfully completed. Law-enforcement authorities in both places have also been working closely to suppress the flow of infringing goods.

Projects for the second half of the year were also discussed, including enhancing the staff-exchange programme for intellectual-property professionals of both regions and organising the Guangdong/Hong Kong Seminar on Intellectual Property and the Development of Small & Medium Enterprises in Guangdong.

Director of Intellectual Property Stephen Selby said in the age of the knowledge economy, Hong Kong and Mainland enterprises are increasingly aware of the importance of copyright protection and management.

Wealth creation

"We plan to co-organise intellectual property management seminars in both regions to show enterprises how intellectual property can be used as a tool for wealth creation and how they can strengthen intellectual property management to sharpen their competitive edge," he added.

Guangdong Provincial Intellectual Property Office Director General Li Zhongduo said the meeting had been fruitful in building up the co-operation of both sides.

"We have agreed to increase our co-operation in both depth and breadth. For example, the 'No Fakes' Pledge Scheme is to be actively promoted continuously in both regions and exchange activities for tertiary institutions and science and technology institutes will be conducted," Mr Li said. 

A summary of the co-operation items is available here.