The Hong Kong Intellectual Property Department and the Hong Kong Scout Association (HKSA) held Sunday the "Respect for Intellectual Property Rights Fun Fair" in Hong Kong.

The event was held at Kowloon Park Piazza to promote respect of intellectual property rights (IPR) and to mark the World Intellectual Property Day, set on April 26 annually.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the fun fair, Director of Intellectual Property, Stephen Selby, said the cooperation with HKSA was a new initiative. Over 60 scout members have participated in various kinds of intellectual property seminars, workshops and visits since the "Scout Program on Respect for Intellectual Property Rights" was launched in April 2005.

Selby congratulated the 23 scout leaders who were the first group of qualified Scout "Respect for Intellectual Property Rights" Instructors, and encouraged them to fulfill the mission of promoting respect for IPR to other Scout members.

The fun fair is also one of the activities to mark the World Intellectual Property Day. Its theme this year is "It starts with an idea". Countries around the world will devote themselves to protecting IPR to fulfill their promise of promoting creativity and innovation.

"Ideas are unique, and creative work takes tremendous time and effort. Creativity will disappear if we continue to plagiarize and “steal” the creative works of others. The public must stop any illegal uploading or downloading of music, movies or other copyright works from the Internet," Selby said.

Chairperson of the Hong Kong Intellectual Property Society Selina Chow, Head of the Intellectual Property Investigation Bureau of the Customs and Excise Department Tam Yiu Keung and Director of Operations, Greater China of Motion Picture Association Sam Ho took part in the ceremony.

Local entertainers Ste Wong, Alex Fong, Justin Lo, Jade Kwan, Wilfred Lau, Ella Koon, Charles Ying, Shine and Ryan Hui also participated and performed in the event to help promote awareness of IPR protection.

Apart from the singing performances, an Intellectual Property Game Competition was held, in which 10 scout teams were competing for the "Best Intellectual Property Game Booth Design". In addition to this, local designer Pacino Wan and director Cheang Pou-soi, were invited to share their experiences in creativity, and encourage the development of local creativity.

The Hong Kong Intellectual Property Department and HKSA jointly launched the "Scout Program on Respect for Intellectual Property Rights" on April 30, 2005. The program included a series of seminars, workshops and visits.

(Xinhua News Agency April 24, 2006)