Article List - Page 2 of 10

“The Role of Recordation Examiner and Copyright Enforcement Case Sharing” co-hosted by HKRRLS and C&ED

“The Role of Recordation Examiner and Copyright Enforcement Case Sharing” co-hosted by the Hong Kong Reprographic Rights Licensing Society and the Hong Kong Customs & Excise Department took place successfully on 26 May 2025. Representatives from the Customs & Excise Department explained the procedures for reporting copyright infringement and shared real-life cases during the seminar. In addition, a mock court session was included to give participants a deeper understanding of the judicial process in handling such cases and to demonstrate techniques for witnesses.

We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the Hong Kong Customs & Excise Department for their in-depth exchanges and sharing, which have enhanced the industry’s understanding of copyright enforcement and demonstrated a strong commitment to combating infringement.

The industry briefing session on the Electronic Distribution and Payment System under “The Promotion of Local Publications and Reading Culture Programme” was successfully held on 8 April 2025.

In collaboration with the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, and with the Hong Kong Reprographic Rights Licensing Society (HKRRLS) serving as the implementing organisation, the ” The Promotion of Local Publications and Reading Culture Programme ” (referred to as the “Promotion Programme”) has entered its sixth year. On 8 April 2025, HKRRLS hosted an industry briefing session on the Electronic Distribution and Payment System to present system upgrades, new electronic payment features, and their applications, paving the way for digitalized catalogue management and funding processes.

HKRRLS extends its heartfelt gratitude to Mr. Derek LEE, Convener and Programme Implementation Committee member of the “Promotion Programme”; Dr. Elvin LEE, Programme Implementation Committee member and President of the Hong Kong Publishing Federation; Mr. William SO, Programme Implementation Committee member and President of the Hong Kong Book & Magazine Trade Association; and Dr. Sharon WONG, Executive Director of HKRRLS, for their in-depth exchanges with industry participants and addressing related questions.

HKRRLS also expresses its sincere appreciation to all publishers and authors for their unwavering support, empowering the embrace of digital transformation and driving the collective promotion of a high-quality reading culture in Hong Kong.

2024/25 Hong Kong Inter-School Respect Copyright Education Campaign｜Respect Intellectual Property Seminar

In conjunction with the “2024/25 Hong Kong Inter-School Respect Copyright Education Campaign”, the “Respect Intellectual Property Seminar” co-hosted by HKRRLS, the Intellectual Property Department, and the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department was successfully held on 28 March 2025. The seminar aimed to enhance awareness of the importance of respecting intellectual property among tertiary students and the general public.

We wish to express our sincere appreciation to Ms. Kallista Lee, Copyright Solicitor of the Intellectual Property Department; Mr. Alex Choy, Senior Investigator of Intellectual Property Technology Crime Investigation Unit, C&ED; Dr. Peter Wong, Associate Principal Engineer in Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Co. Ltd. (ASTRI); and Mr. Calvin Cheng, Founder and CEO of Wizpresso, for serving as guest speakers. From both legislative and enforcement perspectives, the speakers provided valuable insights into the application of generative AI technologies. They also offered industry perspectives on copyright-aware AI solutions and AI-driven knowledge platforms dedicated to the protection of intellectual property.

Sharing Session on Proposed Amendments to the Copyright Ordinance

The “Sharing Session on Proposed Amendments to the Copyright Ordinance” co-hosted by HKRRLS, the Office of Kenneth Fok and the Hong Kong Publishing Federation was successfully held on 18 March 2025.

We wish to convey our profound appreciation to Legislative Council Member Mr. Kenneth Fok, JP; Mr. David Wong, Director of Intellectual Property; Mr. Andy Lam, Deputy Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development; Mr. Thomas Tsang, Deputy Director of Intellectual Property; Dr. Elvin Lee, JP, Chairman of The Hong Kong Publishing Federation; Mr. Ponch Poon, Chairman of HKRRLS; and Dr. Sharon Wong, Executive Director of HKRRLS, for their invaluable insights and meaningful exchanges with industry representatives. Their contributions have significantly deepened the industry’s understanding of the recent amendments to the Copyright Ordinance.

Signing of Bilateral Agreement with Emirates Reprographic Rights Management Association (ERRA)

Hong Kong Reprographic Right Licensing Society (HKRRLS) is proud to announce the signing of a bilateral agreement with the Emirates Reprographic Rights Management Association (ERRA). This milestone strengthens our international collaboration in copyright protection and collective licensing.

We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Mr. Mohamed Bin Dakhen, President of ERRA and Ms. Majd Hassan Al Shehhi, Director of ERRA, for partnering with Dr. Sharon Wong, Executive Director of HKRRLS, to sign the agreement. A special thank you to Ms. Sarah Tran, Head of Regional Policy and Public Affairs of IFRRO, who served as witness for HKRRLS.

We look forward to a fruitful collaboration that benefits rightsholders and fosters a stronger global copyright ecosystem!

First International Conference on Reprographic Rights in the UAE

Our Executive Director, Dr Sharon Wong will be a panelist at the “First International Conference on Reprographic Rights in the UAE”, organized by the Emirates Reprographic Rights Management Association (ERRA) in Sharjah on February 19-20, 2025.

Dr Wong will share her experience from Hong Kong, highlighting how effective enforcement mechanisms play a crucial role in protecting intellectual property rights. She’ll also discuss how collective licensing provides universities with lawful access to copyrighted materials, reduces compliance burdens, and ensures fair compensation for creators.

Signing of Bilateral Agreement with Malaysia Reprographic Rights Centre (MARC)

The Hong Kong Reprographic Rights Licensing Society (HKRRLS) is delighted to announce the signing of a bilateral agreement with the Malaysia Reprographic Rights Centre (MARC) on December 6, 2024.

This landmark agreement is set to enhance collaboration between Hong Kong SAR and Malaysia in the licensing and protection of copyrighted materials. It signifies a shared commitment to promoting fair use and ensuring equitable compensation for authors, publishers, and creators, safeguarding their rights in both regions.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Mr. Ahmed Hussain, CEO of MARC, for partnering with Dr. Sharon Wong, Executive Director of HKRRLS, to sign the agreement during the prestigious BIP Asia Forum held in Hong Kong. We look forward to fostering stronger cooperation and advancing the education and protection of IP rights in both regions.

HKRRLS and Customs and Excise Department: Strengthening the Collaboration on Intellectual Property Right Protection and Education

The annual meeting between the Hong Kong Reprographic Rights Licensing Society (HKRRLS) and the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department (C&ED) took place successfully on 27 November 2024. Participants engaged in discussions and shared insights on their efforts to protect intellectual property and promote copyright education, as well as exchanged views on issues related to online piracy.

Media Luncheon cum Launching Ceremony of 2024/25 Hong Kong Inter-School Respect Copyright Education Campaign

The Media Luncheon cum Launching Ceremony of the “2024/25 Hong Kong Inter-School Respect Copyright Education Campaign”, organized by the HKRRLS and co-organized by the IPD and the C&ED, was successfully held on 7 October 2024.

HKRRLS has been organizing a large-scale Hong Kong Inter-school Respect Copyright Education Campaign since 2007, with the aim of fostering students’ creativity, understanding of the creative industry and the importance of respecting copyright. In the 2024-2025 school year, we organized the 10th Copyright Education Campaign.

The theme for this year’s campaign is “Respect Intellectual Property, Innovate for the Future.” The competition is organized into five distinct categories: Kindergarten, Primary (Junior), Primary (Senior), Secondary (Junior), and Secondary (Senior) & Tertiary, each with its own unique projects. We have also introduced a new award for “Innovation and Copyright Protection” this year to encourage interest in emerging technologies and highlight the importance of protecting creative works.

To reinforce the value of respecting Intellectual Property, a dedicated website has been established as an educational resource. The site not only features award information but also provides timely updates on the knowledge of respecting intellectual property and trademark, and current campaign’s news. It will host interactive activities such as voting and quizzes to educate the public on IP respect and encourage greater participation.

A total of 20 organizations were invited to be the supporting organizations for this year’s campaign, with special thanks for the support of all the school councils, The Hong Kong Association for Computer Education, Hong Kong Education City, Customs YES, Hong Kong Teacher-Librarians’ Association , Hong Kong Information Technology Industry Council (Group 25) and Education Committee of Federation of Hong Kong Industries, The Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education, and Hong Kong Alliance of Technology and Innovation.

The campaign will close for registration on 10 January 2025. For further details, please visit the event website: https://hkrrls-award.hk/

Download the event poster and leaflet: https://bit.ly/CopyrightEduCampaign-promotional-materials

The IP Roundtable was successfully held on 18 July 2024 at HKTDC Hong Kong Book Fair

The IP Roundtable was successfully held on 18 July 2024 at HKTDC Hong Kong Book Fair. This event was hosted by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and co-organised by HKRRLS.

We were honoured to have distinguished panelists representing professional expertise and key collective management organizations from different regions. The panelists included: Ms. Sarah Tran, Head of Regional Policy and Public Affairs, The International Federation of Reproduction Rights Organisations (IFRRO); Mr. Andrew Fong, Chief Executive Officer, Copyright Licensing & Administration Society of Singapore (CLASS); Ms. Theresa Luk, Partner, Intellectual Property, Deacons; Mr. Sam Irvine, Chief Executive, Copyright Licensing New Zealand; Mr. Takeshi Ikkanda, Executive Director, Public Interest Incorporated Association Japan Reproduction Rights Center.

The panel discussion, moderated by Dr. Sharon Wong (Executive Director, HKRRLS and APC Vice Chair), explored the topic of “AI, Copyright, and Collective Licensing in the Asia-Pacific Region”. As governments across the Asia-Pacific region reassess their policy and legislative frameworks in response to the rapid development and application of AI, our panelists delved into the opportunities and challenges that these changes pose to the creative ecosystems.