Discovery

The courts have the power to order a person who has not committed any infringing act, but who has innocently become involved in assisting others to commit infringement in Hong Kong, to give full information and disclose the identity of the infringers.

This type of order for discovery against an innocent party enables a person to discover the identity of who is manufacturing, importing, supplying or putting the infringing goods into circulation in Hong Kong. This is more effective than numerous separate actions against individual retailers.

The courts in Hong Kong have even made such orders against government departments, requiring them to disclose the identity of persons granted import licences or other permits under which infringing goods were brought into Hong Kong.