The Intellectual Property Department's 2005 survey shows the number of people who admitted to illegal file-sharing rose from 3.5% a year ago to 6.8%.

Director of Intellectual Property Stephen Selby said today the survey findings have provided a better understanding on Internet file-sharing behaviour among the public. The department needs to focus on public education, enforcement and legislation in this area.

He said while it is encouraging to see an increase in  awareness of intellectual property among Hong Kong people, who claim to be buying fewer pirated and counterfeit goods, there is a need to focus on new trends.

"This year, we shall look more closely at legal downloading of files on the Internet to see whether that is gaining more public acceptance," Mr Selby said.

84.7% understand intellectual property issues

The annual survey, in its seventh year, shows public awareness of intellectual property rights has significantly improved: 84.7% of respondents know the rights include copyright, patents, trademarks and registered designs, compared with just 50.6% who claimed to know this in 1999.

Out of 1,206 respondents, only 0.7% said they would often buy pirated or counterfeit goods, and 14.3% said they would sometimes - markedly less than the 24.7% in 1999.

On Internet usage, 51.3% of respondents said they regularly use the Internet, more than half of them going online for one to three hours daily.

More than 70% of respondents know unauthorised Internet file-sharing is an infringement of intellectual property rights, while only 1.7% have engaged in unauthorised Internet file-sharing activities, markedly lower than last year's 10%.

More TV publicity in the pipeline

The survey shows close to 65% of respondents received information about intellectual property protection through television, higher than last year's 51%.

Mr Selby said the TV announcement featuring California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and movie star Jackie Chan broadcast since November has attracted people's attention, adding another series of TV publicity messages is in the pipeline.

In line with previous years' findings, more than 70% of respondents believed intellectual property protection could help the local creative industries and the overall development of Hong Kong's economy.

More than 85% said more resources should be put into developing creative culture and industries to create wealth.

For the survey report, browse the department's website.