Speech by FS at Signing Ceremony of Memorandum of Understanding between WIPO and HKSAR Government Concerning WIPO Lex-Judgments (English only) (with photos/video)

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Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at the Signing Ceremony of Memorandum of Understanding between the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Concerning WIPO Lex-Judgments today (September 1):

Deputy Director-General Wang (Deputy Director General of WIPO, Ms Wang Binying), Justice Poon (Chief Judge of the High Court, Mr Justice Jeremy Poon), Director-General Zhou (Director-General of the Department of Treaty and Law, Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the HKSAR, Ms Zhou Qian), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

     Good morning. It is my great pleasure to welcome you all to this event, especially the distinguished delegation from the World Intellectual Property Organization led by Deputy Director General Wang.

Signing of MOU with WIPO

     This morning, we gather to witness the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding that marks the Hong Kong SAR's participation in the WIPO Lex-Judgments database. It is another milestone in our engagement with the global IP (intellectual property) community.

     Since its launch in 2020, the WIPO Lex-Judgments database has provided free and open access to leading judicial decisions on IP from around the world. It now features more than 2,200 decisions from over 40 jurisdictions, and continues to grow in both scope and influence.

     Access to important and precedent-setting cases is a valuable resource for judges, IP practitioners, policymakers and users across the IP ecosystem. It enables better understanding of complex, cross-border IP issues. It helps innovators and businesses navigate IP environments in other jurisdictions. And it strengthens judicial systems worldwide in keeping pace with the evolving landscape of IP law, particularly in the face of rapid technological advancements. Ultimately, it contributes to a more connected, transparent and coherent global IP framework.

Hong Kong's participation in WIPO Lex-Judgment database

     China has been a contributor to this important database since its inception. Today, Hong Kong's participation carries special significance for a number of reasons.

     First, it enhances Hong Kong's contribution to the international exchange of jurisprudence. Under the "one country, two systems" framework, Hong Kong is the only territory in China practising common law, and in both Chinese and English. Our Judiciary exercises powers independently, and is widely respected locally and internationally. Our protection of intellectual property is widely recognised. In fact, we rank sixth globally in IP rights protection in this year's IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook.

     Indeed, as a trusted venue for resolving IP disputes involving parties from both the Mainland and abroad, our judgments often serve as valuable references to the international legal community.

     Second, our participation further consolidates Hong Kong's position as a regional hub for IP trading and legal services. By enhancing the global transparency of our IP legal regime, we provide greater confidence to international businesses and rights holders to invest and pursue innovation activities here. They can count on our reliable, world-class legal infrastructure for the commercialisation and protection of their IP assets.

     Third, Hong Kong's involvement in the database will foster deeper connections and collaboration with global counterparts in the IP field. It will enrich academic and legal research, encourage judicial dialogue, and help ensure that our jurisprudence remains at the forefront of global IP development.

Deepening collaboration with WIPO

     Ladies and gentlemen, I am also pleased to note that our collaboration with WIPO is deepening in many other areas.

     This afternoon, we will cohost the launch of the 2025 Global Innovation Index Ranking of the World’s Top 100 Innovation Clusters - an event jointly organised by WIPO and our country.

     The back-to-back hosting of these two important events in Hong Kong is a strong testament to the Central Government's unwavering support for Hong Kong's development as a regional IP trading centre and a global innovation and technology hub.

     We are also grateful to WIPO and the China National Intellectual Property Administration for their support in establishing a Technology and Innovation Support Centre in Hong Kong. This centre will empower our innovation and technology sector by helping businesses leverage the patent system, access high-quality IP data, and build capacity and networks, thereby further strengthening our innovation ecosystem.

Concluding remarks

     Ladies and gentlemen, none of these achievements would have been possible without the steadfast support of WIPO and the Central People's Government.

     Hong Kong remains firmly committed to playing an active role in international IP co-operation and contributing to China's vision of becoming a global IP powerhouse by 2035.

     Before I close, I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Judiciary for upholding the rule of law and delivering judicial decisions of the highest standard.

     Thank you very much.

Ends/Monday, September 1, 2025
Issued at HKT 13:18

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The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today (September 1) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) on co-operation with regard to the WIPO Lex-Judgments database. Photo shows the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, speaking at the signing ceremony.

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today (September 1) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) on co-operation with regard to the WIPO Lex-Judgments database. In the witness of the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan (back row, centre); Deputy Director General of WIPO Ms Wang Binying (back row, left); and the Chief Judge of the High Court, Mr Justice Jeremy Poon (back row, right), the MOU was signed by the Director of Intellectual Property, Mr David Wong (front row, right), and Assistant Director General of WIPO Mr Marco Alemán (front row, left).

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government today (September 1) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) on co-operation with regard to the WIPO Lex-Judgments database. Photo shows (from left) the Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Chan Tsz-tat; the Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Ms Maggie Wong; the Director-General of the Department of Treaty and Law of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the HKSAR, Ms Zhou Qian; Assistant Director General of WIPO Mr Marco Alemán; Deputy Director General of WIPO Ms Wang Binying; the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan; the Chief Judge of the High Court, Mr Justice Jeremy Poon; the Acting Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Dr Bernard Chan; Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court Mr Justice David Lok; and the Director of Intellectual Property, Mr David Wong, at the signing ceremony.

Audio / Video

FS attends Signing Ceremony of Memorandum of Understanding between World Intellectual Property Organization and HKSAR Government Concerning WIPO Lex-Judgments

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