Annual meeting of IFRRO held successfully

The International Federation of Reproduction Rights Organizations (IFRRO) recently concluded its highly significant annual meeting of the Asia Pacific Committee in Hong Kong, hosted by the Hong Kong Reprographic Rights Licensing Society (HKRRLS). The two-day event, held on April 25-26, brought together key stakeholders from the intellectual property sector to discuss the pivotal role of creativity and culture in thriving economies.

The meeting commenced with an inspiring opening address by Raistlin Chun Lau, the Under Secretary for Culture, Sports, and Tourism of the Hong Kong SAR Government, who emphasised the significance of creativity in driving economic growth.

Highlighting the importance of robust intellectual property frameworks, David Wong, Director of the HK Intellectual Property Department, underscored that IP-intensive industries contribute to 33% of Hong Kong’s GDP. Theresa Luk, an IP Partner at Deacons, provided insights into the latest AI litigation trends worldwide, emphasising the importance of protecting creators’ rights in the digital era.

Pranav Gupta, Secretary-General of IFRRO, played a central and influential role throughout the conference. His presentation of the national report and his participation in crucial sessions on data collection challenges and license negotiations underscored the importance of fair remuneration for creators and rightsholders.

The program also featured presentations from distinguished guests such as Michel Allain, WIPO’s Copyright IT Manager, who updated WIPO’s activities in the Asia Pacific region and introduced WIPO Connect, a rights management IT solution.

A panel discussion on artificial intelligence developments in the Asia Pacific region explored the advocacy role of Reproduction Rights Organizations (RROs) in safeguarding members’ rights and providing effective licensing solutions. JAC, CLASS, and CLNZ representatives shared valuable perspectives on navigating evolving technological landscapes.

In addition to substantive discussions, the conference provided a platform for IFRRO members to exchange experiences and strategies for communication and awareness-raising activities. Challenges and developments in data collection and distribution methods were also addressed, with insights from CLASS, HKRRLS, and IRRO.