Understanding Hong Kong's intellectual property rights protection

As Asia's innovation, business, and trade hub, Hong Kong maintains a comprehensive intellectual property rights protection system that continuously drives the development of creative industries and a knowledge-based economy. Through its robust legal framework, Hong Kong protects various forms of intellectual property while offering an excellent business environment for global innovative talent. The Government actively develops world-class research facilities and support services, fostering an ecosystem that bridges the Mainland and overseas intellectual property trading. In 2024, Hong Kong ranked eighth globally in intellectual property rankings, further demonstrating the rapid expansion of local innovation.

Hong Kong's intellectual property regime

To safeguard creative talent’s works, Hong Kong maintains a comprehensive system for intellectual property protection and enforcement:

• Intellectual Property Department
  Formulates Hong Kong's intellectual property protection policies and legislation, manages registration services for trade marks, patents, designs, and registered licensing bodies, and promotes intellectual property education and awareness.
• Customs and Excise Department
  Responsible for combating trade mark and copyright infringement while collaborating with overseas law enforcement agencies to assist rights holders in fighting cross-border infringement activities.

The four types of intellectual property

Through its robust legal framework and efficient administrative system, Hong Kong offers comprehensive intellectual property protection for innovations. For details, please visit the HONG KONG ・ Regional IP Trading Centre website. Here is a brief overview:

• Trade marks: Enable customers to identify and distinguish products and services from competitors while providing legal protection
• Patents: Protect new and innovative products, substances, and methods
• Designs: Safeguard the visual appearance of products, including their shape, configuration, pattern, and ornamental features
• Copyright: Protect original literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works, sound recordings, films, broadcasts, cable programs, as well as the typographical arrangement of published literary, dramatic or musical works. 

Local intellectual property support services

The Government has introduced various policy initiatives to promote enterprise innovation and intellectual property development. The Intellectual Property Department's IP Manager Scheme PLUS offers Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) various training courses on intellectual property, including local and Mainland protection protocols, commercialisation strategies, licensing, and valuation. In December 2024, the Hong Kong Productivity Council received designation from the China National Intellectual Property Administration and World Intellectual Property Organization as Hong Kong's first Technology and Innovation Support Center, which is expected to be launched by the end of 2025. It will provide patent-related information and consulting services. To encourage design registration, the government lowered registration fees in March 2024. Furthermore, a new "Patent Box" tax incentive launched in July 2024 sharply reduces the profits tax rate to 5% on qualifying intellectual property income. This initiative aims to attract research and development investment, boost Hong Kong's innovation and intellectual property trading development, and encourage local talent to pursue scientific innovation and commercialisation.

Regional and international cooperation on intellectual property

Hong Kong is committed to promoting the internationalisation of intellectual property rights and regional cooperation through international events like the Business of IP Asia Forum, which fosters industry exchange and collaboration. The city has also enhanced cooperation with the Mainland by offering priority examinations for eligible invention patents to Hong Kong applicants in Chinese Mainland, thereby streamlining cross-border patent processes. Additionally, Hong Kong's adherence to numerous international treaties ensures that its intellectual property system meets global standards while strengthening its position in the international intellectual property landscape.

With its comprehensive intellectual property protection system and international trade policies, Hong Kong provides an ideal environment for innovation and enterprise development. Entrepreneurs, researchers, and business managers can all access efficient and reliable intellectual property protection, enabling them to confidently turn their ideas into commercial success. For more information about these systems and support services, visit the Intellectual Property Department website.

The information provided is for reference only and is subject to periodic updates. For the latest information, please visit the relevant website.