FADE IN:
INT. CLUB HOUSE - DAY
Sitting in a sofa, PETER reads a newspaper article.
PETER (V.O.)
Hong Kong's edge in the
Greater Bay Area (GBA),
in terms of science and
technological development
is its robust IP system...
Peter sits back and relaxes.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
How much have I contributed
to it?
FLASHBACK
INT. LAW LIBRARY - DAY (1988)
Quiet. Peter (34) in suit researches in a corner.
PETER (V.O.)
My boss has asked me to
help reform the laws of
copyright and designs.
He has been steering
a committee on patents
protection.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
But for Hong Kong's return
to China on July 1, 1997,
the relevant English IP
laws would continue
to apply in Hong Kong.
INT. OFFICE - DAY (1992)
A door sign: Assistant Director of Intellectual Property (Policy & Legislation). Peter (38) works on his desk-top computer.
PETER (V.O.)
I don't have a scientific
and technological
background. But now,
I've to formulate the
policy and help enact
a law on "Layout-Design
(Topography) of
Integrated Circuits."
END FLASHBACK
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
I did do a lot of scientific
and technological research
so much so that I could
interact with experts in
the field and was able to
explain the context to
others in simple terms.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
That our computers and
mobiles can compute so
fast but consume so little
energy is all because of
advanced design of the
mask works or circuit-
layouts of chips.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
As a policy maker aiming
to facilitate users, I made
rights in chips subsisting
automatically in
Hong Kong. The legal
norm then ie 1994 was
ahead of its time.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
My Singaporean
counterparts were
anxious to learn from
the Hong Kong model,
making me the anchor
to do the knowledge
transfer. I knew other
jurisdictions made
reference to the Hong
Kong law before
enacting theirs years
later.
FLASHBACK
INT. OFFICE - DAY (1995)
A WOMAN (50s) speaks to Peter (41).
WOMAN
As a Founding Member
of WTO, we want to
comply with Hong Kong's
WTO legal obligations
as early as possible.
That's means we've to
amend our existing laws
before overhauling them!
Peter nods.
PETER
I subscribe to the public
value, although it means
tons of work between now
and 1997!
END FLASHBACK
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
As a result, the WTO
(Miscellaneous Amendments)
Ordinance 1996 was
enacted! Hong Kong's
enthusiasm in protecting
IP, apart from the Uruguay
round negotiations, was
further recognized...Then,
the Secretary for Trade and
Industry summonsed me
to see her.
FLASHBACK
INT. SECRETARY'S OFFICE - DAY
Big. The SECRETARY (40s) stares at Peter.
SECRETARY
(Solemnly)
I'm very concerned if we
could meet the deadline
in passing the IP Bills on
patents, designs and
copyright.
PETER
(Earnestly)
Policy aside, the drafting
and legislative processes
take time and effort too...
Despite the challenges,
I believe we can make it.
RETURN TO PRESENT
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
Once I made that
statement, my prediction
became self-fulfilling.
I had the experience of
responding to legislators'
questions in two
consecutive two-hour
sessions.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
With the support from
stakeholders on all fronts.
the Patents Ordinance,
the Registered Designs
Ordinance and the
Copyright Ordinance
were all passed on
June 27, 1997 - the last
regular legislative session
of the colonial Government.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
Days later, I received a
letter from the Secretary
thanking me. In fact, it
was her concerns that
hastened the actions of
all stakeholders, reinforcing
our beliefs that we could
accomplish our mission
and leave a positive
legacy.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
Just before she retired, she
visited the Intellectual
Property Department.
I thanked her support
from the bottom of
my heart.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
Hong Kong's IP regime
is really robust because
of objective endorsement.
As a retiree, I still want
to ride on it to create
public value in the
Greater Bay Area.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
My dream goal is to
establish an IP-based
Capital Market in GBA!
I dare believe in the
reality of my dream.
It'll be my another
self-fulfilling prophecy!
Peter is anxious to leave.
FADE OUT. The End