IP trading refers broadly to any means by which IP rights are commercially dealt with.

This can include:

• selling
• buying
• licensing out (that is, a licensor grants a licence)
• licensing in (that is, a licensee is the recipient of licensed rights)

IP trading activities

The commercial transactions by which IP is traded can include:

• assigning IP
• licensing IP, including
  • technology transfer licensing
  • merchandising
  • franchising
  • brand-extension licensing
• research collaboration
• forming start-up companies with venture capital or private equity investment
• forming strategic alliances and joint ventures 

Intermediary services in support of IP trading

Hong Kong has a large number of professional service providers including patent attorneys, lawyers, venture capitalists, consultants and other advisers, an online directory of whom is available at the Asia Intellectual Property Exchange (AsiaIPEX) for assisting parties to undergo IP trading activities.

The types of intermediary services which parties may require include -

1. IP due diligence
2. Valuing IP

Online platform for IP trading

IP trading occurs between parties which know each other, or know of each other, or which find each other in the marketplace.

Increasingly, online platforms containing various databases of IP that are available to be traded have been set up to assist parties to locate particular IP that is of interest to them. For instance, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council has established and managed the Asia IP Exchange (AsiaIPEX), which is a free online intellectual property platform and database showcasing IP around the globe. The platform consists of two sections, namely the Tech Hub and the Creative Hub, showcasing over 30 000 tech-related and creative IPs. Users can connect with global IP professionals through the platform to facilitate intellectual property trade.

Mainland related organisations of IP Trading

• Radio and Television Administration of Guangdong Province - Related links

  • Guangdong South Cultural Equity Exchange (Simplified Chinese version only)

  • Views on Supporting and Fostering the Development of Guangdong South Cultural Equity Exchange (Simplified Chinese version only)

• Guangdong Province Administration for Market Regulation (Intellectual Property Office) - Related links

  • Guangdong Intellectual Property Protection Center (Chinese version only)
  • China (shenzhen) Intellectual Property Protection Center  (Simplified Chinese version only)