The Hong Kong Intellectual
Property Department and the Hong Kong Scout Association (HKSA) held Sunday the
"Respect for Intellectual Property Rights Fun Fair" in Hong Kong.
The event was held at Kowloon Park Piazza to promote respect of intellectual
property rights (IPR) and to mark the World Intellectual Property Day, set on
April 26 annually.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the fun fair, Director of Intellectual
Property, Stephen Selby, said the cooperation with HKSA was a new initiative.
Over 60 scout members have participated in various kinds of intellectual
property seminars, workshops and visits since the "Scout Program on Respect for
Intellectual Property Rights" was launched in April 2005.
Selby congratulated the 23 scout leaders who were the first group of
qualified Scout "Respect for Intellectual Property Rights" Instructors, and
encouraged them to fulfill the mission of promoting respect for IPR to other
Scout members.
The fun fair is also one of the activities to mark the World Intellectual
Property Day. Its theme this year is "It starts with an idea". Countries around
the world will devote themselves to protecting IPR to fulfill their promise of
promoting creativity and innovation.
"Ideas are unique, and creative work takes tremendous time and effort.
Creativity will disappear if we continue to plagiarize and “steal” the creative
works of others. The public must stop any illegal uploading or downloading of
music, movies or other copyright works from the Internet," Selby said.
Chairperson of the Hong Kong Intellectual Property Society Selina Chow, Head
of the Intellectual Property Investigation Bureau of the Customs and Excise
Department Tam Yiu Keung and Director of Operations, Greater China of Motion
Picture Association Sam Ho took part in the ceremony.
Local entertainers Ste Wong, Alex Fong, Justin Lo, Jade Kwan, Wilfred Lau,
Ella Koon, Charles Ying, Shine and Ryan Hui also participated and performed in
the event to help promote awareness of IPR protection.
Apart from the singing performances, an Intellectual Property Game
Competition was held, in which 10 scout teams were competing for the "Best
Intellectual Property Game Booth Design". In addition to this, local designer
Pacino Wan and director Cheang Pou-soi, were invited to share their experiences
in creativity, and encourage the development of local creativity.
The Hong Kong Intellectual Property Department and HKSA jointly launched the
"Scout Program on Respect for Intellectual Property Rights" on April 30, 2005.
The program included a series of seminars, workshops and
visits.