Wednesday, October 05, 2011

Should Hong Kong (Also) Get Its Own "Normal" Patent System?

Hong Kong's patent system spinning...
Whirlpool in middle of flag, a suitable symbol
 
So far Hong Kong's patent system has been mainly a re-registration system of Chinese patents, United Kingdom patents or European patents. Yesterday, October 4, 2011, the Hong Kong government issued a consultation paper, about whether this should change.
  • Should Hong Kong be able to originally grant its own standard (20 years) patents? In that case should re-registration of Chinese, United Kingdom or European patents possible? If so, should other jurisdictions be included?
  • Should short-term (8  years) patents be retained as a supplement to standard patents? How can the system be improved.
  • The regulation of patent agency services is another subject about which you can give your opinion.
You give the Hong Kong government feedback on or before December 31, 2011. 
Thanks Ron Yu for pointing me to the consultation paper.

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