Meeting Promotes Hong Kong as IP Rights Trading Hub
10 October 2012
More than 550 participants took part in BIP Asia (Business of Intellectual Property Asia Forum) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and the Hong Kong Design Centre, with support from the Intellectual Property Department of the Hong Kong SAR Government, the event brought IP professionals and government officials together to discuss the latest developments in Asia’s IP market.
“Growing globalization of IP trading activities and increasing IP supply and demand in Asia have induced a greater need for regional IP intermediaries,” said HKTDC assistant executive director Raymond Yip, adding that Hong Kong offers the best opportunities for IP trading in the region. “Hong Kong’s multiple roles as an IP middleman, a regional IP manager and services hub will continue to evolve and expand,” he said.
The upgrading of China’s industrial sector has led to significant demand for overseas IP. This development is set to continue, given China’s 12th Five-Year Programme, an HKTDC statement says. Overseas companies from mature markets such as the United States and Japan are also expanding their businesses through the buying and selling of IP.
Yip said SMEs would do well to embrace IP opportunities. “To enhance competitiveness in the long run, SMEs have to transform themselves through product or service differentiation by making use of available IP in the market, as well as identifying suitable brand-building strategies,” he said.
“BIP Asia connects IP players from all over the world and helps participants explore new business opportunities through discussion sessions, networking and business-matching services. It encourages companies to ride on Hong Kong’s comparative advantages in R&D, creative industries, trading and business-related services, and explore further Asia’s vast IP opportunities via Hong Kong,” said Yip.
