Hong Kong introduces new patent system

Hong Kong has launched a new patent system on December 19, 2019, marking a milestone in the city’s development as an innovation hub and IP trading centre. The new system reduces patenting costs and speeds up the approval process, bringing greater convenience for R&D professionals.

Under the new patent system, an original grant patent (OGP) system is introduced to provide to patent applicants an alternative route of seeking standard patent protection in Hong Kong. Patent applicants have the option of filing standard patent applications directly in Hong Kong, thereby dispensing with any prior filing of their corresponding applications with a designated patent office outside Hong Kong.

"The launch of the new patent system is a milestone in the development of Hong Kong's patent regime. It demonstrates our strong commitment to enhancing our intellectual property (IP) protection. It will greatly facilitate the development of Hong Kong as an innovation and IP trading hub in the long term," a spokesman for the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau said.