IPR competition winners set off on study tour of Japan

Date: 24/08/2010

Ten winners of the Protection of Intellectual Property Rights on the Internet Creative Competition departed Hong Kong today (August 24) for a five-day visit to Tokyo, Japan, to enrich their knowledge of the protection of intellectual property rights (IPR).

The competition, held in May and June, was jointly organised by the Customs and Excise Department (C&ED) and the Intellectual Property Rights Protection Alliance (IPRPA) with the support of the Intellectual Property Department (IPD). It was aimed at promoting respect for IPR on the Internet and cultivating positive values among youngsters.

Members of the Youth Ambassador Against Internet Piracy Scheme (YAS), aged from 15 to 18, were invited to join the competition by submitting proposals with new ideas to enhance the enforcement work and publicity drive in protecting IPR for a judging panel's consideration. Ten participants from eight local youth uniformed groups (YUGs) were selected as winners and awarded the study visit to Tokyo with full sponsorship from the IPRPA.

During their stay in Tokyo, they will visit Japan Customs and various IPR institutions to gain a better understanding of IPR protection. They will share experiences with other members of their YUGs and promote the importance of IPR in society after returning to Hong Kong.

Senior Superintendent of the C&ED's Intellectual Property Investigation Bureau, Mr Albert Ho, said, "To enhance our society's overall awareness on creativity and respect for IPR, C&ED, IPD and IPR industries join together and organise various activities for the general public, especially on cultivating awareness of respecting IPR among youngsters.

"The study visit provides a good opportunity for our younger generation to deepen their understanding of IPR. Apart from that, to tackle piracy and counterfeit activities, the C&ED will continue to collaborate with IPR holders and to take rigorous enforcement action through intelligence-led investigations and repeated raids at different levels."

The Convener of the Working Committee of the IPRPA, Mr Sam Ho, congratulated the winners and said, "The promotion of creativity and the respect for IPR are very important for the long-term development of our society. Members of the IPR industry fully support the event and hope that the youth ambassadors can benefit from the study visit and contribute to the promotion of IPR."

Established by the C&ED and the IPR industry in 2004, the IPRPA has organised various activities to promote respect for IPR and to eradicate counterfeiting and infringing activities. Members of the Alliance come from various IPR-related organisations and professions.

The YAS was established in 2006 by the C&ED with the support of the IPD and seven copyright owner organisations. Some 200,000 members of 11 local youth uniformed organisations were recruited as members of the scheme. Apart from monitoring infringing activities on the Internet, the youth ambassadors also help to promote and publicise the importance of IPR. They are encouraged to set a good example to others by refusing to get involved in infringing and counterfeiting activities and to share their values on IPR with their friends and families.
Ends/Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Issued at HKT 19:36

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