In February 2013, the Government, having accepted the strategic recommendations made by the Advisory Committee on Review of the Patent System in Hong Kong, announced the way forward for the development of the patent system in Hong Kong. The policy decision includes the development of a full-fledged regulatory regime on patent agency services in the long run, which has to be achieved in stages, with possible interim measures.

In March 2013, the Government invited views from various sectors of stakeholders (including the legal/patent professional bodies, chambers of commerce, industrial and engineering associations, universities, and those respondents to the “Consultation on Review of the Patent System in Hong Kong” conducted during the period from October to December 2011) on certain issues regarding how best the Government can take forward the implementation of the regulation of patent agency services. The consultation closed on 31st May 2013.