Hengqin-Macao IPR easier to get, harder to steal

Macao and Hengqin New Area will establish a cooperative mechanism to protect exclusive trademark rights while facilitating trademark registration, it was announced at the Macao Franchise Expo 2017 (2017MFE) on July 28.

The Hengqin New Area Administration for Industry & Commerce took part in the annual event held at The Venetian Macao on July 28-30. The Guangdong & Macao Federation of Industry & Commerce expo covered franchising, chain store operations, and licensing. It attracted investors from around the world.

The administration unveiled the newly established Macao Chain Stores & Franchise Association at an opening ceremony on behalf of the Hengqin Federation for International Protection of Intellectual Property. The Cross-Border Protection & Service Cooperation Agreement on Trademark Intellectual Property Rights between Hengqin and Macao was then signed. The objective is to create a high ground of intellectual property rights protection.

Exhibits at Macao Franchise Expo 2017 [Photo courtesy miba.org.mo]

According to the agreement, a sound cross-border trademark cooperative mechanism will be built through joint construction of registration, safeguard of rights, alliances, arbitration, and publicity.

The move will better serve economic development of Hengqin and Macao through enhanced protection of legitimate rights and interests of market players, said an official from the Hengqin New Area Administrative Committee.

It is of great significance regarding implementation of the national innovation-driven development strategy, and will promote the role of trademarks and brands in supply-side structural reform, the official added.