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Following is a speech by the Secretary for Commerce and Industry, Mr CHAU Tak Hay, in moving the second reading of the Intellectual Property (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 2) Bill 2000 in the Legislative Council today (December 20): (Translation)

President,

I move the Second Reading of the Intellectual Property (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No.2) Bill 2000.

At present, the Patents Ordinance and the Registered Designs Ordinance stipulate that notices for patents and designs must be published in the Government Gazette. However, many countries such as Japan, South Korea and the United States have already offered the option of publishing such notices by electronic means. Hong Kong must keep pace with global development. We therefore propose to amend the two ordinances to empower the Director of Intellectual Property to specify other publications, including publications in electronic form, for publishing notices for patents and designs. This will also reduce costs and improve efficiency.

We have also taken the opportunity to make a number of technical amendments to the relevant provisions in the two ordinances to make them more user-friendly. For example, enhancing provisions relating to the right of priority in patent and design applications and simplifying patent application procedures.

We have received general support when we consulted the practitioners, the Law Society and the Bar Association on the Bill. The Legislative Council Panel on Trade and Industry also supports the proposals.

President, this Bill will enhance our legislation and further improve the system for protecting intellectual property rights in Hong Kong.

With these remarks, I urge Members to support the Bill.

End/Wednesday, December 20, 2000

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