A seminar on intellectual property rights (IPR) protection was held here Wednesday to discuss the importance of intellectual property rights (IPR) in business development.

Speaking at the ceremony, director of Intellectual Property of Hong Kong Stephen Selby said the Intellectual Property Department had been making consistent efforts to promote IPR protection to local SMEs.

"Seminars are an effective means to help raise the awareness of local SMEs about IPR protection. The active participation and strong support of SMEs at the event shows that our strategy and the topics concerned satisfied their needs," he said.

The morning session of the seminar focused on IPR protection and enforcement measures in Hong Kong and the mainland, covering areas such as company name registration versus trademark registration and handling of IPR infringements in trade fairs and exhibitions.

The afternoon session showcased various success stories of enterprises in brand building and IP management.

The seminar was jointly organized by the Intellectual Property Department, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (TDC) and the Federation of Hong Kong Industries' Hong Kong Coalition for Intellectual Property Rights, with the aim to help local Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) better understand of IPR in business environment.

Speakers included government officials from Hong Kong and the Mainland, intellectual property professionals and senior executives of local brand and trademark owners.

(Xinhua News Agency September 29, 2005)