HONG KONG, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- Many high-tech enterprises of the Chinese mainland in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area find that Hong Kong is an ideal platform for them to seek professional assistance and address the intellectual property (IP) issues, according to the conclusion of a study released by Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) recently.
To explore how Hong Kong and other cities in the Greater Bay Area to use this opportunity, HKTDC conducted the study. The study found smart technology sees rapid growth in the Greater Bay Area and many companies have secured a large number of patents, but protecting these patents overseas remains a concern.
"Although our products are self-developed, if there is inadequate IP protection, we may still encounter difficulties in overseas markets," said RoboSense partner Mark Xu.
The RoboSense is an environment perception solutions provider specializing in self-driving laser-radar in the Greater Bay Area.
RoboSense has a team of experts managing its global IP rights. However, given the law difference between the Chinese mainland and the West, the company often comes across stumbling blocks when applying for patents in overseas markets. Working out solutions that comply with local legal requirements and business practice is particularly difficult.
RoboSense's experience regarding its IP rights is just the tip of the iceberg for Chinese businesses. Others find themselves mistrusted or misunderstood by overseas clients who doubt the legitimacy of IP obtained in the Chinese mainland.
As a result, many mainland high-tech enterprises find that Hong Kong is an ideal platform for them to seek professional assistance to address these IP issues.
Hong Kong, with its internationally trusted legal system, is in a good position to provide legal protection for IP. It is also China's most important IP trading centre. Its status as a global trading hub means it is home to many IP professionals and talents in other fields, such as lawyers, accountants and appraisers, who can provide all kinds of intermediary support services.
Furthermore, Hong Kong has many years of experience in trading and cooperating with overseas markets and can act as a bridge between the mainland enterprises and their overseas clients.
To promote the development of IP trading and other high-end services, Hong Kong and Guangdong signed an agreement on the protection of the IP rights. The agreement covers 28 co-operation projects, including reinforcing co-operation on cross-border IP protection.
With closer co-operation between the two regions, Hong Kong's IP service providers can find it easier to meet the demands of mainland enterprises for IP management services and help them to develop overseas markets.
"To capture the opportunities of the Greater Bay Area, therefore, Hong Kong companies and service providers should be more proactive and venture further into the mainland market and introduce themselves to local businesses," suggested by HKTDC. (Contributed by Zhang Huan, edited by Hu Pingchao)
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