Copyright registration in Hong Kong is not mandatory. Unlike mainland China, any work, once created, is automatically conferred with a copyright and protected by law in Hong Kong. There is no provision or need for any kind of registration for the copyrights. However, since there is no general registration system for copyright works, it is recommended that copyright holders keep good records of the process of creating the work as this record is useful evidence for enforcement purposes and also in defending against claims of copyright infringement.
Copyright Law of Hong Kong
The Copyright Ordinance currently in force in Hong Kong has come into effect since 27 June 1997. The Ordinance as reviewed and revised from time to time provides comprehensive protection for recognized categories of literary, dramatic, musical and artistic works, as well as for films, television broadcasts and cable diffusion, and works made available to the public on the Internet. Furthermore, performers of live performances and persons having exclusive recording contracts with performers are also entitled to protection.
There are no formalities required to obtain copyright protection for a work in Hong Kong. Works of authors from any place in the world, or works first published anywhere in the world, also qualify for copyright protection in Hong Kong.
The copyright owner has the exclusive right to exploit their work for commercial gain and in particular to copy the work, issue copies of the work to the public, rent copies of the work to the public, make available copies of the work to the public, perform, show or play the work in public, broadcast the work or include it in a cable programme service or to make an adaptation of the work.
How long does legal protection last?
Copyright protects creativity. The efforts of writers, artists, designers, software programmers and other talents need to and should be protected so as to create an environment where creativity can flourish and hard work can be rewarded. In return, the public benefits from the creations.
In Hong Kong, copyright doesn’t acquire any registration process, but domain names, trademarks, designs, and patents need to be registered in order to enjoy the full benefits. Tannet’s Intellectual Property Service Center provides a wide range of IP services ranging from global trademark registration to global patent registration.
Contact Us
If you have further queries, don’t hesitate to contact Tannet anytime, anywhere by simply visiting Tannet’s website english.tannet-group.com, or calling Hong Kong hotline at 852-27826888 or China hotline at 86-755-82143422 or 86-755-82143181 or emailing to tannet-solution@hotmail.com. You are also welcome to visit our office situated in 16/F, Taiyangdao Bldg 2020, Dongmen South Rd, Luohu, Shenzhen, China.
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