Public consultation for patent system review begins

The Commerce & Economic Development Burea will run the consultation period until December 31.

According to a release, the Commerce & Economic Development Bureau launched a public consultation on the review of Hong Kong's patent system. The consultation period will run until December 31.

The major issues for consultation include whether Hong Kong should have its own “original grant” patent system, whether the short-term patent system should be retained as a supplement to standard patents, and whether the provision of patent agency services in Hong Kong should be regulated.

Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Gregory So said today the current patent system is more than a decade old and should be reviewed to tie in with the latest international developments in patent protection.

"We will consider the views received carefully before formulating the Government's proposals with a view to serving the overall interest and development of Hong Kong. We hope to publish the proposed way forward in the first half of 2012."

Mr So said an advisory committee comprising legal professionals, patent practitioners, members of the academia, research and development, and industrial sectors will be formed.

The consultation paper can be downloaded here. Views can be submitted by email.