Hong Kong's image as a shopping paradise for genuine goods will get a lift with new measures and a series of publicity programmes starting this Saturday (February 14).
The Customs and Excise Department has teamed up with the Intellectual Property Department (IPD), the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Tourism Board and the Consumer Council to launch the promotion.
With the number of tourists to Hong Kong on the rise, particularly travellers under the Individual Visit Scheme, it was incumbent on Customs to step up its efforts in intellectual property rights (IPR) protection and its enforcement action against counterfeiting and piracy, a Customs spokesman said today (February 11).
"By enlisting support from various stakeholders, including Government departments, tourism-related bodies, and owners of intellectual property rights, we aim to broaden the platform for co-operation in IPR protection and enhance the effectiveness of eradicating counterfeiting and piracy.
"We also want to send a positive message to the tourists and local shoppers that Hong Kong is a 'Shopping Paradise for Genuine Goods'," he said.
Two major initiatives are the relaunch of the "No Fakes Pledge Scheme" run by the IPD and the establishment of the Intellectual Property Rights Protection Alliance led by the Customs and Excise Department.
In March, the IPD will relaunch the "No Fakes" scheme and invite more retail outlets, including those in the travel industry, to join up and pledge to sell genuine goods.
Under the current "No Fakes Pledge Scheme", shoppers can easily distinguish reliable traders selling genuine goods by the "No Fakes" stickers displayed in their shop windows.
The Intellectual Property Rights Protection Alliance will be formed by Customs and the copyright and trademark industry in March. Under the alliance, different sectors of the industry will commit to working together to protect intellectual property rights and help Customs to clamp down on counterfeiting and piracy through information exchange and reporting of suspected cases. This initiative will enhance Customs' enforcement and help boost tourists' confidence in buying goods in Hong Kong.
Entitled "Hong Kong - the Real Experience", the campaign includes a road show and exhibition, a seminar, a television documentary, a TV Announcement in the Public Interest, and publicity by the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Tourism Board and the Consumer Council.
To kick off the campaign, the road show and exhibition will be opened at New Town Plaza in Sha Tin this Saturday (February 14) at 3pm. There will also be singing performances and game booths.
As well as increasing public awareness, the campaign will demonstrate the Government's commitment to protecting IPR and cracking down on counterfeiting and piracy.
Ends/Wednesday, February 11, 2004