HONG KONG
N/A
Pillar Intermediary liability |
Indicator Safe harbour for intermediaries for any activity other than copyright infringement
Lack of intermediary liability framework in place beyond copyright infringement
A basic legal framework on intermediary liability beyond copyright infringement is absent in Hong Kong's law and jurisprudence. On 31 October 2019, the High Court handed down an interim injunction against the "promotion, encouragement and incitement of the use or threat of violence via Internet-based platform or medium". Subsequently, the High Court amended its injunction to restrain only those who willfully assist others in posting inciting material online. In other words, online service providers (OSPs) are not in breach of the injunction, even if they enable posts to be made on their platforms without knowing the facts or contents of such publications. Furthermore, the injunction does not impose a positive duty on OSPs to search for or filter out unlawful content uploaded by others.
Coverage Internet intermediaries
Sources
- https://web.archive.org/web/20241111162447/https://legalref.judiciary.hk/lrs/common/search/search_result_detail_frame.jsp?DIS=125435&QS=%2B&TP=JU
- https://web.archive.org/web/20230329005214/https://www.legco.gov.hk/research-publications/english/1920in17-internet-freedom-and-regulation-in-selected-places-20200716-e.pdf
HONG KONG
Since June 2021, entry into force in September 2021, last amended in June 2022
Pillar Intermediary liability |
Indicator User identity requirement
Telecommunications (Registration of SIM Cards) Regulation (2021)
The Telecommunications (Registration of SIM Cards) Regulation came into effect in September 2021 to implement the Real-name Registration Programme for Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) Cards. According to Art. 5 of the Regulation, telecommunications operators must not activate SIM cards unless users have registered their personal data, including their full name in English and Chinese, HKID number or other identity document number, a copy of their identity document and date of birth.
Coverage Telecommunications service providers
HONG KONG
ITA signatory?
I
II
Pillar Tariffs and trade defence measures applied on ICT goods |
Indicator Effective tariff rate on ICT goods (applied weighted average)
Effective tariff rate to ICT goods (applied weighted average)
0%
Coverage rate of zero-tariffs on ICT goods (%)
100%
Coverage: ICT goods
Sources
- http://wits.worldbank.org/WITS/
- https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/brief_ita_e.htm#:~:text=ITA%20participants%3A%20Australia%3B%20Bahrain%3B,%3B%20Jordan%3B%20Korea%2C%20Rep.
- https://www.wto.org/english/res_e/booksp_e/ita20years_2017_full_e.pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20220120054410/https://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2016/april/tradoc_154430.pdf
- https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/inftec_e/itscheds_e.htm
HONG KONG
Since March 1997
Since December 2015
Since December 2015
Pillar Tariffs and trade defence measures applied on ICT goods |
Indicator Participation in the WTO Information Technology Agreement (ITA) and 2015 expansion (ITA II)
Information Technology Agreement (ITA)
ITA Expansion Agreement (ITA II)
ITA Expansion Agreement (ITA II)
Hong Kong is a signatory of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Information Technology Agreement (ITA) of 1996 and its 2015 expansion (ITA II).
Coverage ICT goods
Sources
- https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/brief_ita_e.htm#:~:text=ITA%20participants%3A%20Australia%3B%20Bahrain%3B,%3B%20Jordan%3B%20Korea%2C%20Rep.
- https://www.wto.org/english/res_e/booksp_e/ita20years_2017_full_e.pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20220120054410/https://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2016/april/tradoc_154430.pdf
- https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/inftec_e/itscheds_e.htm
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HONG KONG
Since April 2014
Pillar Public procurement of ICT goods and online services |
Indicator Signatory of the WTO Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA) with coverage of the most relevant services sectors (CPC 752, 754, 84)
WTO Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA)
Hong Kong is a party to the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA), and its commitments also cover the services sectors considered most important for digital trade, namely telecommunication services (CPC 752), telecommunication-related services (CPC 754), and computer and related services (CPC 84).
Coverage Horizontal
HONG KONG
Since March 2014, last amended in May 2025
Since April 2012, last amended in June 2022
Since April 2012, last amended in June 2022
Pillar Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in sectors relevant to digital trade |
Indicator Maximum foreign equity share
Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622)
Communications Authority Ordinance (Cap. 616)
Communications Authority Ordinance (Cap. 616)
Under the Communications Authority Ordinance and the Companies Ordinance, there are no ownership restrictions for telecommunications, the manufacture of information and communication technology goods and products, computer and related services, and online broadcasting. In addition, it is reported that there are no foreign ownership limitations in the telecom sector.
Coverage Horizontal
HONG KONG
Since July 1997
Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) |
Indicator Participation in the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT)
Patent Cooperation Treaty
Hong Kong is a party to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).
Coverage Horizontal
HONG KONG
Since June 1997, last amended in August 2025
Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) |
Indicator Copyright law with clear exceptions
Copyright Ordinance (Cap. 528)
Hong Kong has a clear regime of copyright exceptions that follows the fair dealing model under the Copyright Ordinance, which enables the lawful use of copyrighted work by others without obtaining permission. These exceptions include research, private study, criticism, reviews and news reporting.
Coverage Horizontal
Sources
- https://web.archive.org/web/20231204131905/http://infojustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/fair-use-handbook-march-2015.pdf
- https://www.elegislation.gov.hk/hk/cap528%402025-08-24T00%3A00%3A00/P2.pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20221103042500/https://www.ipd.gov.hk/eng/pub_press/publications/hk.htm#cp7
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HONG KONG
Reported in 2018, last reported in 2025
Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) |
Indicator Enforcement of copyright online
Lack of adequate enforcement of copyright online
Copyright is not adequately enforced online in Hong Kong. Piracy through illicit streaming devices (ISDs) is reportedly on the rise in Hong Kong, posing a direct threat to content creators, sports leagues and live performances, as well as legitimate providers of streaming, on-demand and over-the-top media services. In addition, Hong Kong's failure to modernise its copyright system has left it vulnerable to digital copyright piracy, particularly from illicit streaming websites and streaming devices (ISDs), with negative ramifications for businesses and innovators.
Coverage Horizontal
HONG KONG
Since March 2007, entry into force in October 2008
Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) |
Indicator Adoption of the WIPO Copyright Treaty
WIPO Copyright Treaty
Hong Kong has ratified the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Copyright Treaty.
Coverage Horizontal
HONG KONG
Since March 2007, entry into force in October 2008
Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) |
Indicator Adoption of the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty
WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty
Hong Kong has ratified the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Performances and Phonograms Treaty.
Coverage Horizontal
INDIA
Since 2000
Pillar Online sales and transactions |
Indicator UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Commerce
UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Commerce
India has adopted national legislation based on or influenced by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Model Law on Electronic Commerce.
Coverage Horizontal
INDIA
Since June 2000, entry into force in October 2000, as amended in 2009, last amended in August 2023
Pillar Online sales and transactions |
Indicator UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Signatures
Information Technology Act, 2000
India has enacted national legislation, namely the Information Technology Act, which is influenced by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Model Law on Electronic Signatures.
Coverage Horizontal
INDIA
Since February 2021
Pillar Online sales and transactions |
Indicator Local presence requirements for digital services providers
Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021
Section 4 of the "Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021" provides that significant social media intermediaries, meaning social media intermediaries having a number of registered users in India above such threshold as may be notified by the government, and online gaming intermediaries that enable users to access any permissible online real‑money game, are required to appoint a Chief Compliance Officer, a Nodal Contact Person, and a Resident Grievance Officer, all of whom must be residents of India. Such intermediaries are also required to maintain a physical contact address in India and to publish this address on their website, mobile‑based application, or both.
Coverage Significant social media and online gaming intermediaries
