BIP Asia to Explore New Opportunities in IP Trading

For Immediate Release:

BIP Asia to Explore New Opportunities in IP Trading

More than 700 Participants at Forum Opening Today

2 December 2011 – More than 700 participants took part in BIP Asia (Business of Intellectual Property Asia Forum), which opens today at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC).

Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and the Hong Kong Design Centre, with support from the Intellectual Property Department of the Hong Kong SAR Government, the event brings IP professionals and government officials together to discuss the latest developments in Asia’s IP market.

“Growing globalisation of IP trading activities and increasing IP supply and demand in Asia have induced a greater need for regional IP intermediaries,” said HKTDC Assistant Executive Director Raymond Yip, adding that Hong Kong offers the best opportunities for IP trading in the region. “Hong Kong’s multiple roles as an IP middleman, a regional IP manager and services hub will continue to evolve and expand,” he said.

New Economic Driver

Intellectual property is becoming a new driver for the world’s economic development. The upgrading of the Chinese mainland’s industrial sector has led to significant demand for overseas IP. This development is set to continue, given the mainland’s 12th Five-Year Programme. Overseas companies from mature markets such as the United States and Japan are also expanding their businesses through the buying and selling of IP.

The IP Advantage

Mr Yip said SMEs would do well to embrace IP opportunities. “To enhance competitiveness in the long run, SMEs have to transform themselves through product or service differentiation by making use of available IP in the market, as well as identifying suitable brand-building strategies,” he said.

“BIP Asia connects IP players from all over the world and helps participants explore new business opportunities through discussion sessions, networking and business-matching services. It encourages companies to ride on Hong Kong’s comparative advantages in R&D, creative industries, trading and business-related services, and explore further Asia’s vast IP opportunities via Hong Kong,” said Mr Yip.

Forum highlights include a plenary session on technology and the latest trends in IP trading, as well as IP trading on the mainland. Panel discussions spotlight IP portfolio management, the growth of the IP business in Asia, and the role of design in intellectual property protection. Thematic workshops will cover IP protection, valuation, training and education, and arbitration.

Renowned Speakers

BIP Asia participants will hear from 20 prominent speakers, including: Hewlett-Packard

Director, Patent Sales Group, Intellectual Property Licensing, Dr Tao Zhang; Microsoft

Corporation Outbound Licensing, Corporate Intellectual Property & Licensing, Simmone Misra;

and Intellectual Ventures Senior Vice President, Licensing, Dr Don Merino. Dr Mao Jinsheng, Director-General, Intellectual Property Development & Research Centre, of the mainland’s State IP Office, will deliver the keynote luncheon address.

To view a 15 November interview with IP merchant Bank Ocean Tomo Chairman & CEO James Malackowski, please visit:

Concurrent Events

HKTDC World SME Expo and HKTDC Inno Design Tech Expo (1-3 December) will take place alongside BIP Asia at the HKCEC.

Fair Websites

BIP Asia Forum:

Inno Design Tech Expo:

World SME Expo:

Photo Download

/ Speaking at the BIP Asia Forum’s opening ceremony this morning, Margaret Fong, Deputy Executive Director of the HKTDC, said that intellectual property is becoming a new driver for the world’s economic development, adding that Hong Kong offers the best platform for IP trading in the region

/ Peter Cheung, Director of the Hong Kong SAR Government’s Intellectual Property Department, expects Hong Kong’s role as an IP middleman and regional IP services hub will continue to expand
/ Dr Mao Jinsheng, Director General of Intellectual Property Development and Research Centre, of the mainland’s State IP Office, spoke about the government’s IP policies and business opportunities on the mainland

/ BIP Asia Forum discussions covered such topics as global IP trading, IP portfolio management and patent protection

Media Enquiries

Please contact the HKTDC's Corporate Communication Department:

Joe Kainz Tel: (852) 2584 4216 Email:

About the HKTDC

A statutory body established in 1966, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is the international marketing arm for Hong Kong-based traders, manufacturers and service providers. With more than 40 global offices, including 11 on the Chinese mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a platform for doing business with China and throughout Asia. The HKTDC also organises trade fairs and business missions to connect companies with opportunities in Hong Kong and on the mainland, while providing information via trade publications, research reports and online.

For more information, please visit