Hong Kong’s IP hub ambitions require sustained investment, coordination: experts

he Doraemon exhibition has been held in cities across Asia and is currently being staged in Tokyo.

Photo: Handout Hong Kong’s initiatives to develop an intellectual property (IP) economy remain loosely defined and will require sustained investment and clearer coordination to take shape, industry players and analysts have said, following the latest budget outlining plans to turn the city into a regional IP trading hub.

Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po said in his budget address last month that authorities aimed to strengthen Hong Kong’s role in IP trading – including by refining tax arrangements, supporting financing and nurturing talent – as part of a broader effort to develop higher value-added industries.

For Lam Shu-kam, better known as SK Lam and founder of creative studio AllRightsReserved (ARR), intellectual property extends beyond characters or cartoons. “IP is essentially a brand – it involves value creation and can enhance a city’s uniqueness and attractiveness,” he said, adding that its value came from how it was turned into products, events and experiences.

ARR is best known for staging large-scale public art installations, including the giant “Rubber Duck” sculptures in Victoria Harbour and the “100% Doraemon & Friends Tour” exhibition in 2024, which attracted about 5 million visitors.

While Hong Kong has long been strong in trading and commercialisation, creating original IP required significant time and investment, leading many businesses to focus instead on adapting or leveraging existing global IP, he said.

Lam Shu-kam, better known as SK Lam, says: “IP is about adding value, not just consuming it.” Photo: Sam Tsang Lam pointed to the company’s work with internationally recognised IP, in which adding new creative elements – including redesigning characters or staging large-scale public events – could generate wider economic benefits.

Such projects could draw visitors and drive spending across sectors, including retail and food and beverage, he said. “IP is about adding value, not just consuming it,” Lam added.

AllRightsReserved is organising a “100% Doraemon Sakura Fest” pop-up attraction in Causeway Bay from April 3 to 19, featuring a multilevel exhibition, themed merchandise and interactive zones tied to the long-running Doraemon franchise.

The event builds on the touring Doraemon exhibition, which has been held in multiple cities across Asia and is currently being staged in Tokyo.

Government measures under consideration incl

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