Agreement on deepening intellectual property co-operation in Pan-Pearl River Delta region

The first agreement on IP co-operation in the Pan-PRD region was signed in Chengdu, Sichuan Province in 2005. The new agreement aims to promote comprehensive IP development in the Pan-PRD region, fully unleash the advantages and features of all parties, facilitate IP creation and utilisation, strengthen IP protection and optimise IP services, so as to promote mutual economic development in the region.

The Director of Intellectual Property, Ms Ada Leung, signed the new agreement on behalf of the HKSAR Government at the Joint Conference. Ms Leung said, “The gradual expanding co-operation among the Pan-PRD region facilitates the deepening of IP co-operation in the region. Under the new agreement, new situation and new direction, the nine provinces/regions and the Hong Kong and Macau SARs can complement the advantages of each other and achieve synergy effects to further strengthen IP protection, foster IP trading and promote the development of high-end IP services.”

According to the new agreement, IP co-operation among the Pan-PRD region will be deepened to cover the following eight areas:

1. Establishment of a strong IP province;
2. Protection of IP rights;
3. IP utilisation and fostering the development of IP trading in the Pan-PRD region;
4. IP services;
5. Exploitation of IP information;
6. External exchange and co-operation on IP;
7. Promotion and education on IP; and
8. Exchange and discussion on IP