Local firm Robin Bridge & John Liu regards IP as one of its main practice areas and has been acting on more high-profile matters in the past year. Partner Billy Tun is featuring in two copyright cases that could have a big impact on Hong Kong's music and entertainment industry. He is advising Hong Kong Recording Industry Alliance and four record companies before the Copyright Tribunal in a dispute concerning sound recording broadcast licence in relation to free terrestrial and paid television stations. The outcome of the case will determine the licence fee calculation methodology. In another Copyright Tribunal case, the firm is representing Hong Kong Karaoke Licensing Alliance to resolve a dispute arousing from karaoke server licence and this case will also set a precedent for licence fee calculation methodology.
Seeing the potential of increasing patent work in the future, the firm poached Melvin Li, a chartered UK patent attorney and registered US patent agent, from Marks & Clerk to head up the patent department. The expansion has attracted new clients to instruct the firm on patent matters, such as Perception Digital, a Hong Kong-listed company that researches and develops products in the area of digital signal processing, and Kin Yip Metal & Plastics, a local company specialising in designing and manufacturing kitchen and culinary products.
"We recommend the firm as it is responsive and client-oriented. The advice is also succinct and easily to understand," says a client. "We deal with Anthony Tong in the firm. Anthony is a very experienced IP lawyer with sound knowledge on IP matters."