Hong Kong signed a deal with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) on Monday to share landmark intellectual property (IP) rulings with the United Nations (UN) agency — a move that makes the city a strong contributor to the country’s vision of becoming a global IP powerhouse by 2035.
“Under the memorandum of understanding (MoU), Hong Kong will continue to play an important role in providing better access to IP judgments, enhancing global understanding of judicial approaches to the latest common legal issues, and contributing to international cooperation for promoting IP,” Justice Jeremy Poon said at the signing event marking the city’s participation in the WIPO Lex-Judgments database.
The database, launched in 2020, has now provided free and open access to more than 2,200 judicial decisions on IP from over 40 jurisdictions.
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Under the “one country, two systems” framework, the special administrative region stands as the only territory in China practicing common law, and in both Chinese and English.
“Indeed, as a trusted venue for resolving IP disputes involving parties from both the Chinese mainland and abroad, our judgments often serve as valuable references to the international legal community,” Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po told the ceremony.
Hong Kong’s involvement in the database, the finance chief said, would not only enhance its role in the international exchange of jurisprudence, but also strengthen the city’s standing as a leading regional hub for IP trading and legal services — a bold vision set in the 2024 Policy Address.
Gu Qizhi, founding president of the Association for the Promotion of Knowledge Economy in Guangdong province, said the Hong Kong SAR is the first-mover across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and the country to participate in the cooperation mechanism for the WIPO Lex-Judgments database.
“This not only carries significance for elevating Hong Kong’s international standing in IP protection, but also comes as a huge boon for other cities across the Greater Bay Area,” Gu told China Daily. “It is expected to enhance the region’s overall capacity for IP enforcement and foster the international alignment of adjudication standards.”
“The move will undoubtedly boost the international transparency and credibility of Hong Kong’s IP protection regime. It will reinforce the SAR’s position as a strategic hub for resolving IP disputes between China and the global community,” said Iris Wong, chief officer of Hong Kong Coalition.
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“This will also enhance investor confidence and support research activity in Hong Kong, while offering a solid legal foundation for technological innovation across the Greater Bay Area,” Wong said.
Chan underscored the city’s supporting role in ensuring China becomes a global leader in IP protection by 2035 — a goal outlined in a blueprint in 2021 to advance the nation’s technological self-reliance.
The city is set to establish a WIPO Technology and Innovation Support Centre (TISC) in Hong Kong to enable its integration into the country’s TISC network. The Centre, which was also highlighted in 2024 Policy Address, is expected to commence operation this year at the earliest.
Contact the writer at sophialuo@chinadailyhk.com
