HKPC Collaborates with Microsoft and Industry Partners to Develop Intellectual Property Management System

The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) today (29 January 2007) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Microsoft (Hong Kong) Limited, Print-Rite Holdings Limited and Smart.net (Hong Kong) Limited to collaborate in the development of the Intellectual Property Management System (IPMS).

The signing ceremony was officiated by Mr Herman Lam, Deputy General Manager of Microsoft (Hong Kong) Limited, Dr Stephen Lee, Director of Product Productivity of HKPC, Ms Alice Lee, Director of Print-Rite Holdings Limited and Mr Parry Leung, Group Technology Manager of Smart.net (Hong Kong) Limited.

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr Lee said, "Through this collaboration, we will provide an efficient and secured information portal to facilitate enterprises in knowledge acquisition, evaluation and consolidation in the process of product design and innovation. The IPMS will offer an IT-based management framework, assisting the 60,000 enterprises in Guangdong and Hong Kong to move from OEM to ODM through improved asset management and protection, as well as the build up of knowledge asset."

According to Mr Herman Lam, "We are thrilled to further the partnership with HKPC to support manufacturers across Hong Kong and the Guangdong region, as part of our commitment to strengthen innovation and advance the development of the local knowledge economy. We are pleased with the results of the Productivity Plus programme for our reach to Hong Kong manufacturing industry. As a technology leader, Microsoft will configure with our proven solutions to support the promotion of competitive advantage of Hong Kong through the use of IT tools. The IPMS is configured with Microsoft technologies and the domain expertise of HKPC. Enterprises can protect their intellectual property assets to meet escalating demand for innovative products and compete effectively against other lower-cost manufacturing bases."

A seminar entitled "Total IP Management Starts at Designs and Innovation Process" was held after the ceremony to provide local enterprises with the latest information on IP management. Speakers included partners and advisors of the IPMS project who presented the best practices and strategies for effective IP management, IP regulations in Hong Kong and the Mainland, as well as relevant legal issues.

The event was sponsored by Microsoft (Hong Kong) Limited, Print-Rite Holdings Limited, and Smart.net (Hong Kong) Limited, with Worldmart Jewelry & Gems Emporium Limited, Wilkinson & Grist Solicitors and Notaries, and the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Hong Kong Polytechnic University as the supporting organizations.

Honorary advisers of the project including Mr K K Yeung, CEO of Worldmart Jewelry & Gems Emporium Limited, Ms Yvonne Chua, Partner and Notary Public of Wilkinson & Grist Solicitors and Notaries, and Prof W B Lee, Head of Department of Industry and Systems Engineering of Hong Kong Polytechnic University also attended today's event.

The IPMS marks the second phase of the Productivity Plus programme initiated jointly by HKPC and Microsoft in 2005 to provide support and resources to help local manufacturers meet new business imperatives.

For further information on HKPC's intellectual property services, please contact Mr Joseph Poon of HKPC at tel: (852) 2788 5702, or e-mail at: jpoon@hkpc.org, or Mr Frank Leung of HKPC at tel: (852) 2788 5718, or e-mail at: fleung@hkpc.org.

For media enquiries, please contact:
Ms Betty Lee
General Manager
Corporate Communications and Events
Tel: (852) 2788 5036
Fax: (852) 2788 5056
E-mail: rebeccat@hkpc.org
Website:www.hkpc.org

HKPC
29 January 2007