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According to a release, as part of the efforts to implement the "original grant" patent (OGP) system in Hong Kong, the Intellectual Property Department (IPD) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSARG) and the State Intellectual Property Office (SIPO) signed the Co-operation Arrangement in the Area of Patent in Hong Kong  on December 6.

The Commissioner of the SIPO, Mr Tian Lipu, and the Director of Intellectual Property, Mr Peter Cheung, signed the Arrangement on behalf of the SIPO and the IPD respectively.

Witnessed by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Gregory So, the signing ceremony was conducted on the sidelines of the Business of IP Asia Forum held on December 5 and 6 in Hong Kong.

Under the Arrangement, the SIPO will provide technical assistance and support to the IPD for substantive examination of patent applications and the training of staff.

Mr So said, "The signing of the Arrangement marks a significant milestone in our efforts in implementing the OGP system in Hong Kong. It bears strategic significance in facilitating the development of Hong Kong into a regional innovation and technology hub, as well as a premier IP trading hub.

"I much appreciate the SIPO's enormous support to Hong Kong in building our own OGP system. The SIPO has extensive technical expertise and experience in substantive examination of patent applications and manpower training. Its pre-eminence has been demonstrated by its top position in the world for patent applications received. With the strong backing of the SIPO, we will work together and take a giant step towards our goal of operating an OGP system in Hong Kong."

Mr Tian said, "After years of hard work, Hong Kong has acquired outstanding achievement and goodwill in the area of intellectual property. Looking ahead, we are prepared to continue joining hands with the relevant departments of the HKSARG to further promote the implementation of all the clauses under the Arrangement, so as to bring greater benefits to the economic development and social prosperity of both the Mainland and Hong Kong."

Upon accepting the strategic recommendations made by the Advisory Committee on Review of the Patent System in Hong Kong, the Government announced in February 2013 the future positioning of Hong Kong's patent system, including setting up an OGP system whilst retaining the current re-registration system for the granting of standard patents.

The IPD is intensively engaging in other necessary tasks for setting up the requisite infrastructure with a view to implementing the new patent system in 2016-17, subject to the progress of legislative and other preparatory work.