Survey shows awareness of intellectual property rights protection remains high
The Intellectual Property Department (IPD) announced today (March 31) the results of the Survey on Public Awareness of Intellectual Property (IP) Right Protection 2024, which showed that the general public maintained a high level of awareness of IP rights protection.
A total of 1 002 members of the public responded to the survey. Over 90 per cent of them were aware that copyright, trade marks and patents are protected by dedicated ordinances in Hong Kong, maintaining the high level recorded in the 2022 survey results.
The Director of Intellectual Property, Mr David Wong, said, "The IP system has always been an important driving force for innovation and creativity. The survey results, which show that the awareness of IP rights protection remains high among the general public, notably the widespread public recognition of statutory protection of copyright, trade marks and patents, are encouraging."
Similar to the results of the last survey, this survey showed that over 60 per cent of the respondents were of the view that with Hong Kong being a regional IP trading centre, the protection of IP rights could facilitate the development of local arts, culture and creative industries as well as local innovation and technology, promote IP-related professional services in Hong Kong, attract foreign investment and strengthen the competitiveness of Hong Kong.
With regard to the use of copyright works in the digital environment, over 80 per cent of the respondents did not browse or use infringing content from unauthorised websites or mobile apps in the past year. The major reasons cited were "worry about getting infected by computer virus/being hacked by hackers/leaking personal information on illegal websites" (28.6 per cent), "better quality assurance from authorised websites/mobile apps" (17.7 per cent) and "comply with IP laws" (15.7 per cent).
The survey also showed that 90 per cent of the respondents had seldom or never bought pirated or counterfeit goods in the past year. The major reasons cited were "quality of genuine goods is guaranteed (38.8 per cent)", "no need to buy or not interested in pirated or counterfeit goods" (36.9 per cent), and "respect and support IP rights/support genuine goods/immoral or wrong to infringe IP rights" (16.9 per cent).
In terms of the attitude towards IP rights protection, over 80 per cent of the respondents agreed that "it is morally wrong to browse or use the content on unauthorised websites or mobile apps knowing that it is an infringement of IP rights" (83.0 per cent), and that "it is morally wrong to buy pirated or counterfeit goods knowing that it is an infringement of IP rights" (85.9 per cent). Both percentages are similar to the results of the last survey, indicating that the respondents maintain a very positive attitude towards IP rights protection.
"Public education is crucial in promoting IP rights protection. The Government will continue to enhance public awareness of protecting and respecting IP rights, especially among the younger generation, through various educational and promotional activities," Mr Wong said.
To encourage the purchase of genuine goods, the "No Fakes Pledge" Scheme has been rolled out by the IPD alongside a number of retail and industry associations. "No Fakes" logos are displayed to help distinguish merchants that sell genuine goods. The survey revealed that 77.6 per cent of the respondents had heard of the Scheme, among which, most (75.0 per cent) considered the Scheme helpful in building confidence among consumers and tourists to shop in Hong Kong, and strengthening Hong Kong's reputation as a "shopping paradise".
Similar surveys have been commissioned by the IPD regularly since 1999, with the previous round conducted in 2022. The report of the latest survey is available on the IPD's website.
CHP reminds public to take precautions against cold weather
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (January 3) reminded the public, particularly the elderly, people with chronic illnesses, outdoor workers, pregnant women, infants and children, to adopt appropriate measures to protect their health in view of the cold weather.
Elderly and people with chronic illnesses
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A spokesman for the CHP said that in general, elderly people have less insulating fat, and their body temperature control mechanisms would be weaker. Their body may not respond appropriately to the cold weather. In addition, some senior persons may have decreased mobility, which can impair their ability to generate and conserve body heat.
Chronic illnesses, such as hypertension, diabetes or hypothyroidism, would lower their metabolic rate, subsequently causing their body to generate less heat. Besides, persons with chronic illnesses, such as chronic respiratory illnesses or cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, are vulnerable to disease aggravation due to cold weather.
The spokesman reminded the public, in particular the elderly and persons with chronic illnesses, to adopt the following preventive measures:
Take note of the weather forecast. Wear warm clothing, including hats, scarves, gloves and socks, accordingly;
Consume sufficient food to ensure adequate calorie intake;
Perform regular exercise to facilitate blood circulation and heat production;
Stay in a warm environment. Avoid going out in the morning and at night when the temperature is lower, and avoid prolonged outdoor exposure;
Use heaters with care and maintain adequate indoor ventilation;
Avoid alcoholic beverages. Drinking alcohol cannot keep you warm. Alcohol accelerates the loss of body heat through dilated blood vessels, resulting in chilling instead; and
Seek medical advice if feeling unwell.
Infants, children and pregnant women
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Infants and young children are more susceptible to heat loss during the cold weather. The spokesman reminded parents that they should ensure babies are sufficiently warm, but it is also important to keep babies relatively lightly clothed to avoid overheating them. When children engage in outdoor activities, their clothing should be adjusted accordingly, and changed quickly if soaked. Infants, young children and pregnant women should also try to avoid going out in the morning and at night when the temperature is lower.
Parents should observe the following safety measures when putting their children to bed:
Keep the room well ventilated and at a comfortable temperature;
Always place babies on their backs to sleep. Leave their heads, faces and arms uncovered during sleep;
Babies do not need pillows. Place babies on a firm and well-fitted mattress to sleep. Avoid soft objects, pillows and loose bedding;
Let babies sleep in a cot placed near their parents' bed; and
Maintain a smoke-free environment.
Outdoor workers
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Outdoor workers should take heed of the weather report and wear appropriate warm clothing for work. Clothing should be changed as soon as possible if soaked. When the Cold Weather Warning is in force, they should take appropriate precautions. They should take a break immediately and seek help and medical attention if feeling unwell.
General public
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In addition, many respiratory pathogens, including influenza and SARS-CoV-2, may have increasing activity and community transmission during winter. Seasonal influenza vaccination is recommended for all persons aged 6 months or above, except those with known contraindications. Persons at higher risk of getting influenza and its complications, including the elderly and children, should receive seasonal influenza vaccinations early. Please see details of the vaccination schemes on theCHP'swebsite.
A person who gets influenza and COVID-19 at the same time may become more seriously ill and would have a higher risk of death. It is important for elderly persons, especially those residing in residential care homes, to receive both a seasonal influenza vaccination and a COVID-19 vaccination. They should also receive an additional booster against COVID-19 according to recommendations as soon as possible. The public should also maintain good personal and environmental hygiene against respiratory illnesses and note the following:
Surgical masks can prevent transmission of respiratory viruses from ill persons. It is essential for persons who are symptomatic (even if having mild symptoms) to wear a surgical mask;
Wear a surgical mask when taking public transport or staying in crowded places. It is important to wear a mask properly, including performing hand hygiene before wearing and after removing a mask;
Avoid touching one's eyes, mouth and nose;
Wash hands with liquid soap and water properly whenever possibly contaminated;
When hands are not visibly soiled, clean them with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub;
Cover the mouth and nose with tissue paper when sneezing or coughing. Dispose of soiled tissue paper properly into a lidded rubbish bin and wash hands thoroughly afterwards;
Maintain good indoor ventilation;
When having respiratory symptoms, wear a surgical mask, refrain from work or attending classes at school, avoid going to crowded places and seek medical advice promptly; and
Maintain a balanced diet, exercise regularly, take adequate rest, do not smoke and avoid overstress.
Food-borne diseases, particularly those linked to hotpot cuisine, are also common in cold weather. The following preventive measures should be taken:
Wash hands before handling and consuming food;
Do not patronise unlicensed vendors or those with poor hygienic standards while selecting food;
Wash and cook all food thoroughly;
Vegetables should be washed thoroughly in clean running water before cooking and consumption. When appropriate, scrub vegetables with hard surfaces with a clean brush to remove dirt and substances, including pesticide residues and contaminants, from surfaces and crevices;
Shrimps should be fully cooked until the shells turn red and the flesh turns white and opaque;
For shellfish such as scallops and geoduck, scrub the shells thoroughly and remove internal organs;
Do not eat any undercooked freshwater aquatic products. To ensure that the food is thoroughly cooked, the centre of the food should reach a temperature of at least 75 degrees Celsius so as to destroy pathogens;
Most hotpot ingredients should be stored in a refrigerator at 4 degrees C or below, while frozen food should be stored in a freezer at -18 degrees C or below;
Never use raw eggs as a dipping sauce for hotpot; and
Use different sets of chopsticks to handle raw and cooked food to avoid cross-contamination.
In addition, when using fuel-burning appliances, especially in indoor areas, the public should ensure adequate ventilation to avoid harmful exposure to carbon monoxide (CO) and prevent CO poisoning.
Fo more health information, the public may call the DH's Health Education Infoline (2833 0111) or visit theCHP's websiteandFacebook Fanpageas well as press releases of the Labour Department on precautions against cold weather for outdoor workers and their employers when the Cold Weather Warning is in force.
The public may also call Dial-a-Weather (1878 200) or visit thewebsite of the Hong Kong Observatoryfor the latest weather information and forecasts, or itspage on Weather Information for Senior Citizens.
Source: AI-found images
