Licensing industry gathers for region's leading event (hktdc.com)

Licensing industry gathers for region's leading event ( 01/07/2004 )


Legal consultant Rebecca Lo says Hong Kong has all the essentials to be a licensing hub

Only three years after its inception, the Hong Kong Licensing Show and Conference has established itself as Asia's leading event for international companies looking to expand their licensing network in the region.

That 30 exhibitors and 7,674 visitors from 80 countries attended the event in 2003 underscores Hong Kong's position as the regional hub for licensing business, especially in the Chinese mainland, which is regarded as the most prospective market for international properties. Trademark and character licensing currently accounts for around HK$1,323 billion (US$170 billion) in worldwide retail sales each year.

The third annual Hong Kong Licensing Show and Conference will be held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from July 6 - 8. In recognition of its importance to the industry, the event's organiser, Hong Kong Trade Development Council (TDC) has joined with the International Licensing Industry Merchandisers' Association (LIMA) to launch the inaugural Premier Asian Licensing Awards. Created to recognise outstanding products, licensed properties, and licensing agent achievement across Asia, the awards will be presented in four categories: best license, best licensee, best licensing agency, and best new property.

Brands use Hong Kong with confidence


Elle will be one of over 150 brands and properties showcased at the Hong Kong Licensing Show and Conference

According to trademark law consultant Rebecca Lo, founder of Rebecca Lo & Co and one of the presenters at the licensing show workshop, Hong Kong has all the ingredients to be a licensing hub. It has a strong legal framework, international-standard accounting, and is a world-class centre for dispute resolution - all the services which give overseas brand names the confidence to use Hong Kong as a platform as well as a source for licensing agents, she said. Ms Lo will speak on the topic of Licensing Your Property in China.

"Foreign licensors going directly into China will have difficulty solving all the problems themselves," she said. "By using Hong Kong as a platform, they can license their products to a Hong Kong entity who can manage Hong Kong and the Greater China markets for them.

"Hong Kong companies are famous for doing business in China: they have the networks, and they know how to open doors. Hong Kong's licensing industry is well developed and can handle business throughout the region - which is why many overseas brands use Hong Kong to look after other markets, such as Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia, for them as well."

US movie giant Warner Bros., which is also participating in the show, said Hong Kong was an ideal platform for building brands for licensed products.

"We believe in Hong Kong, with its sound legal and financial systems, governmental support on protection of intellectual rights, and strong manpower resource," said Bianca Lee, general manager Greater China & South East Asia for Warner Bros (F.E) Ltd. "Hong Kong is also a major economic hub for Asia, providing an ideal environment for us in business transactions and support." (Details Batman rules in exciting year for Warner)

China potential 'enormous'


Jacob Lin of Roly International Holdings says Hong Kong is the best platform for overseas licensors to enter the China market

Jacob Lin, executive director of Roly International Holdings, a Singapore-listed licensee with a business network in 22 countries, says the value of global brands in the mainland will be gradually accepted by consumers after China's entry to the WTO. With China generating only a 0.5 per cent share of global licensing business today - far behind when compared to its economic achievement - the market potential in China is enormous, he said.

"Hong Kong is the best platform for overseas licensors to enter the mainland market," Mr Lin said. "The industry is mature, with more than 10 years of experiences in licensing business operation, and has strong support from the Hong Kong government. Hong Kong has been the door into China for many years, and now with initiatives such as Cepa (the closer economic partnership arrangement), it is easier than ever for Hong Kong entities to operate in the mainland."

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Hong Kong Licensing Show and Conference

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