The Government has condemned a US decision to place Hong Kong on a special watch list for infringement of intellectual property rights (IPR), saying the decision is 'unjustified' and fails to take account of its efforts to stamp out transgressions.
'Given the considerable and persistent anti-piracy efforts and initiatives the Government has made, we consider it most unjustified to place Hong Kong on the watch list,' it said.
The list includes countries the United States scrutinises for alleged failure to protect IPR, with the ultimate threat of sanctions if the practice continues.
The US Trade Representative's office said: 'Copyright piracy has worsened in Hong Kong over the past year, despite requests from the US Government for action and greater effort by the Government of Hong Kong to combat this problem.' Hong Kong and US negotiators have been discussing the subject for several months.
In April last year officials in Washington put Hong Kong on its lowest-grade watch list and by December it said it would give the territory more time to improve the situation.
Moving Hong Kong to the higher-grade list indicates deepening US concern. In the face of this criticism, the Government's statement underlines its commitment to battling copyright piracy.
'The Hong Kong Government is totally committed to enforcing a robust intellectual property protection regime,' it said.