Hong Kong Customs, the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GAC) Guangdong Sub-bureau, and the Customs of Macau held their sixth Tripartite Customs Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Law Enforcement Cooperation Conference yesterday. Hong Kong Customs Deputy Chief Commissioner (Control and Enforcement) Douglas Wu and Macau Customs Acting Deputy Chief Commissioner Ye Huachang led the tripartite delegations in Hong Kong. During the conference, the customs agencies from the three regions summarized their recent collaborative efforts in protecting intellectual property rights. A joint operation held from July 20 to 31 as an example, saw the tripartite agencies enhance inspections of goods destined for America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia, successfully thwarting cross-border unauthorized goods trafficking. During this operation, Hong Kong Customs, based on risk assessment, targeted logistics centers and warehouses to combat high-value unauthorized goods trafficking, seizing approximately 38,000 suspected fake goods, including watches, mobile phones, and accessories, with an estimated value of HK$15 million. In addition, the three regions' customs agencies agreed on the following to deepen IPR enforcement cooperation in the Greater Bay Area (GBA): (1) deepen targeted specialized joint operations to address key ports and goods; (2) establish multiple-level intelligence communication channels and improve bi-directional feedback arrangements, further enhancing cross-border joint enforcement efforts; and (3) intensify interaction and collaboration with right holders, elevating the protection work to a collaborative framework involving the enforcement department, industry organizations, and right holders. Tripartite customs agencies will collectively support the IPR protection umbrella in the GBA, facilitating the successful export of more national brands. The GAC Guangdong Sub-bureau also visited a courier operation center in Tuen Mun to learn about Hong Kong Customs' law enforcement on express items, and the authorities' efforts to work closely with the industry and strengthen information exchange to identify risks and enforce the law, while simultaneously countering cross-border infringement activities via express channels. The tripartite customs agencies have always placed great emphasis on IPR protection work. Since 2019, to implement the Implementation Outline for the Development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the customs agencies have proactively conducted intelligence exchange, specialized joint operations, and visits to enhance the protection of IPR. The Tripartite Customs Intellectual Property Rights Law Enforcement Cooperation Conference provides an excellent platform for the parties to summarize cooperation achievements, exchange law enforcement experiences, and formulate future enforcement strategies.
The conference highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts in safeguarding intellectual property rights in the GBA. The discussions underscored the need for joint operations targeting high-risk areas and the establishment of more effective communication channels for information sharing. As the Greater Bay Area continues to grow, these collaborative measures will play a critical role in protecting intellectual property and fostering innovation.
In conclusion, the Tripartite Customs Intellectual Property Rights Law Enforcement Cooperation Conference is a significant step towards enhancing the protection of intellectual property rights in the GBA. By improving cooperation in enforcement and communication, the customs agencies are strengthening their ability to combat intellectual property infringement, supporting a favorable environment for national brands to thrive. The success of these joint efforts not only protects rights but also fosters economic development and innovation in the region.