Triple trio: Guangdong Provincial Intellectual Property Office Director-General Li Zhongduo, Intellectual Property Director Stephen Selby and Macau's acting head of Intellectual Property Chan Tze-wai launch the Intellectual Property Database for Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau.

Co-operation and exchange between Hong Kong and Guangdong must be enhanced to tackle intellectual property infringements.

This was the message from Director of Intellectual Property Stephen Selby after the Guangdong/HK Expert Group on the Protection of Intellectual Property Rights held its first meeting today in Hong Kong.

It brought together the various intellectual property administration and enforcement units of Guangdong and Hong Kong for the first time.

Mr Selby said the meeting provided an excellent platform for exchanging information and building partnerships.

He said with the increasing economic co-operation between the two jurisdictions, it is vital intellectual property protection is included in this enhanced teamwork.

The expert group was set up to enhance exchange and co-operation on various aspects of intellectual property, including promotion and education, training, enforcement and information dissemination.

The Hong Kong delegation included Customs and Police officials, while the Guangdong one, led by Director General of Guangdong Provincial Intellectual Property Office Li Zhongduo, included trade, industry, commerce, copyright and public security officials.

Mr Li said he is satisfied with the progress and outcome of the meeting.

The group's second meeting will be held in Guangdong in June.

Meanwhile, a ceremony was also held to launch the Intellectual Property Database for Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau.

The database allows easy access to information on the intellectual property systems in the three jurisdictions.

Laws and registration procedures in relation to trademarks, patents and registered design as well as laws and regulations on copyright can be found on the database.

The three regions have agreed to continue to enhance the database with useful and up-to-date information.