The Intellectual Property laws of Hong Kong have recently gone through substantial change.
Up to the end of June 1997 there was no local legislation in respect of Patents, Copyright or Designs. The only local legislation that existed was in respect of Trade Marks. Patents, Copyright and Designs were protected in Hong Kong by virtue of UK legislation, which was extended to Hong Kong to cover these rights.
With the return of Hong Kong to Chinese sovereignty on 1st July 1997 this situation was clearly untenable. Prior to its dissolution the legislature passed local laws to protect Patents, Copyright and Designs.
