HK IP Department and INTA Sign Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Trademarks

The Director of Intellectual Property, Mr Peter Cheung, and the President of the International Trademark Association (INTA), Ms Mei-lan Stark, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on co-operation in trademarks in Hong Kong today (May 12) to establish a broad and flexible framework developing areas for co-operation on trademarks and other related fields.

The signing ceremony of the MOU was held on the sidelines of the 136th Annual Meeting of INTA in Hong Kong.

"We very much welcome this agreement which develops areas for co-operation in the field of trademarks between INTA and the Intellectual Property Department (IPD). We have assured confidence that this agreement will enhance substantive and mutually beneficial collaboration with INTA in realising Hong Kong as an intellectual property (IP) trading hub in the region," said Mr Cheung. "As the largest and most dynamic trademark event in the world, INTA's Annual Meeting signifies a high time for IP professionals to exchange insights and exploit them in strategies for protecting trademarks and advancing brands."

Ms Stark said, "It is fantastic to mark this historic occasion, INTA's first Annual Meeting in Asia, by signing this agreement with the IPD here in Hong Kong. Hong Kong is an important commercial, financial and legal hub for all of Asia and a gateway to the many markets in the region. The IPD has provided tremendous support to the Association in the planning of the Annual Meeting. We are pleased to be formalising an ongoing relationship with the IPD, and look forward to collaborating on future projects, for the good of the global IP community."

Areas for co-operation covered in the MOU include:

* Invitations to programmes and meetings;

* Co-operation in the organisation of programmes and meetings;

* Development of training programmes; and

* Development of programmes to the public.

The 136th Annual Meeting of INTA, being held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai from May 10 to 14, features international trademark and IP education sessions hosted by internationally acclaimed IP professionals from around the world. The programme focuses on hot topics and substantive case law updates in Asia. Almost 8 500 attendees from over 140 countries including counsels, trademark professionals, government officials and IP service providers have registered for the Annual Meeting.

(Source: HK IP Department)