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HK can be region's licensing hub by Peta Tomlinson South China Morning Post, April 23, 2002 Hong Kong's first annual Licensing Show And Conference opens tomorrow, reflecting a rapidly developing industry that could see Hong Kong become the licensing centre of the region. Organized by the Trade Development Council (TDC), the event will be attended by international licensors and local licensing agents, and addressed by world-renowned guest speakers.
"Licensing is a growing industry in Hong Kong. In 2000, the annual turnover of licensing business in Asia amounted to US$25 billion, marking a more than 100 per cent growth over 1999, and taking 17.8 per cent in the global market," says TDC director of services promotion, Alan Wong.
He says Hong Kong has the potential to become the licensing hub of the region, with its comprehensive business facilities and strong know-how in the services sector. A high degree of transparency in the legal and judiciary system and respect for intellectual property (IP) rights also add to Hong Kong's competitive edge.
Mr. Wong says the TDC will assist the licensing industry in six main areas: by encouraging overseas licensors to search for suitable business partners in Hong Kong; strengthening communication within the licensing industry; promoting local brand licensing services; providing more licensing-related business opportunities for the manufacturing industry; improving local companies' understanding of licensing; and positioning Hong Kong as the entry point for the mainland licensing market.
The event is being held in conjunction with the Hong Kong Gifts and Premium Fair, which represents a big area of the licensing business.
June Ngan, TDC manager of services promotion, says the staging of the conference is timely as the licensing industry is thriving in today's global economy and more licensing opportunities are opening up for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). "We have invited some leading brand names to talk about the licensing business and the direction of opportunities for Hong Kong companies and their partners," he says. "Those in the licensing business in Hong Kong are mainly SMEs, and this conference is designed to help them navigate the important legal aspects, understand their responsibilities, and explore future potential. By sharing their experience, SMEs can learn how to proceed with confidence."
Brands exhibited at the show include Warner Bros., Universal Studios, Lord of the Rings, Jackie Chan, Audrey Hepburn, The Simpsons, Miss Piggy, Forever Friends, Oxford and Cambridge Universities, UCLA, Pepsi, Hallmark, and Toraemon. They are among more than 100 branded properties to be presented to potential licensees and distributors.
Industry-renowned speakers at the conference include Mickie Leong, vice-president Greater China and Southeast Asia for Warner Bros. Consumer Products, Mariane Guarnieri, managing director Asia-Pacific for Elle Licensing, Tetsuo Ishida, president of Cosmo Merchandising, Masao Kurosu, general manager international marketing and production of Nippon Animation, Choi Young-ho, executive vice-president, Industry Enhancement Department, Korea Culture and Contents Agency, and Rebecca Lo, chairman of the Licensing Executives Society (LES) of China, Hong Kong Chapter.
Ms. Lo, who is also the IP, technology and communications partner of global law firm Linklaters, says Hong Kong, with its comprehensive licensing capabilities and IP laws, has all the fundamentals for being a licensing hub. "IP laws in Hong Kong are strong and mature; we have a reliable court system, and respectable arbitration practices," Ms. Lo says. She adds that Hong Kong companies' experience in mainland business gives them at head start in licensing dealings, making them ideal partners for foreign companies.
Initiatives such as the amendment to the copyright law last year - "a move aimed at stamping out IP piracy" - have promoted business confidence by demonstrating the strength of Hong Kong's modern IP laws, Ms. Lo says. "As China opens up, a lot of foreign companies are interested in entering the mainland market, and China is fast modifying its laws to meet WTO obligations. But as the laws are new, experience is important. This is where Hong Kong having a head start, makes a very good partner."
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