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目 录
条次
第Ⅰ部 导言
1．简称
2．释义
3．适用于金器之特别条款
4．货品标注命令
5．列入广告内之资料
第Ⅱ部 虚假商品说明或描述以及伪造商标
6．将商品说明、商标或标志用于货品
7．与商品说明有关之罪行
8．用于广告上之商品说明
9．与商标有关之罪行
10．假称获得皇室认可或嘉奖等事宜
11．有关货品供应方面之假称
12．禁止某类货品进口及出口
13．豁免外销货之权力
第Ⅲ部 执行
14．委任获授权人员
15．进入楼宇查看及检取货品及文件之权力
16．进入及搜查住宅楼宇之限制
16Ａ．将楼宇或容器上锁或加上封条以扣押货品之权力
16Ｂ．获授权人员之逮捕权
16Ｃ．资料等之透露
17．妨碍执法及透露资料等罪行
18．罚则
19．起诉期限
20．法人团体之犯罪
21．因他人过失而引致之罪行
22．参与在香港以外地方进行之犯罪行为
23．样本
24．以证明书出示或提出之证据
24Ａ．关于输入使用虚假商品说明货品之证据规则
25．在诉状中描述商标之办法
26．辩护、错误、意外等
27．不知其不当而发播广告
28．诉讼费
29．发出有关财产收归政府之命令之权力
30．某类货品之没收及处置
31．已撤销
第Ⅳ部 杂项规定
32．内有商品说明之商标
33．关于词语定义之命令
34．公民权之保障
35．赔偿因根据第15条第（1）款（ｆ）段被检去货品而蒙受之损失
本条例旨在规定：禁止货品在交易中使用虚假商品说明、假冒标志及内容失实之陈述；授权可要求商品注明或附有与货品有关之资料或指示，或者将资料或指示包括在广告内；禁止未经许可使用象征获得英女皇或总督发给奖状之图案或徽章；重新订定有关伪造商标之法规；撤销商品内容标注条例；以及对有关事项加以规定。
〔1981年4月1日〕
第Ⅰ部 导言
1．简称
本条例定名为商品说明条例，并由总督在宪报公告指定之日期起实施。
2．释义
（1）在本条例内，除按照上下文另具意义者外，下开各词应解释如下——
“广告”包括商品目录、传单及价目表等；
“获授权人员”指根据第14条所委任之公职人员；
“总监”指海关总监及任何副总监或助理总监；
“协约国”之意义与《商标条例》（第43章）第13Ａ条第（6）款所载意义相同；
“虚假商品说明”指——
（ａ）在实质上乃属虚假之商品说明；
（ｂ）商品说明虽非虚假但足以误导他人，亦即是，可视作对“商品说明”定义所指之任何事项作出表示，其中在实质上乃属虚假者；
（ｃ）任何虽非商品说明但可视作对“商品说明”定义所指之任何事项作出表示，而此种表示在实质上乃属虚假者；
（ｄ）一项虚假表示，或任何可视作虚假表示，声称任何货品符合指定或经任何人认可或暗示同意之标准而实则并无此人或并无经指定、认可或暗示同意之标准；或
（ｅ）一项虚假表示，或任何可视作为虚假失实之表示，声称任何种类货品——
（ｉ）按照香港法例属于应征税货品，可免缴该类货品应征税项而获得供应；或
（ｉｉ）按照香港法例并非属于应征税货品，可获得免税供应；
“货品”包括船只及飞机、附属于土地之物件及生长中之农作物；
“转口货品”指凡——
（ｂ）一直存放在其运抵香港之船只、飞机或车辆上之货品；
“进口”指输入或促使输入香港；
“楼宇”包括任何地方及任何摊档、车辆、船只或飞机；
“商品说明”指下述任何事项有关任何货品或部分货品以直接或间接或者任何方式所作之表示，即——
（ａ）数量（包括长度、阔度、高度、面积、体积、容量、重量及件数）、尺码或规格；
（ｂ）制造、生产、加工或翻新方法；
（ｃ）成份；
（ｄ）适合用途、强度、性能、状态或精确度；
（ｅ）任何未有包括在上述各款文内之货品资料特征；
（ｆ）任何人所作之试验及其结果；
（ｇ）获任何人推许或与任何人推许之种类相符；
（ｈ）制造、生产、加工或翻新之地点及时间；
（ｉ）从事制造、生产、加工或翻新之人；
（ｊ）货品之其他来历，包括以前之所有权或用途；
“商标”指——
（ａ）根据《商标条例》（第43章）在香港注册之有关货物之商标；
（ｂ）根据1938年商标法设置或备存之注册簿注册之商标；
（ｃ）凡属——
（ｉ）在英国属地或协约国注册或已申请注册之商标；及
（ｉｉ）可根据商标条例作为货物商标在香港注册之商标；及
（ｉｉｉ）在英国属土或协约国申请注册而自该申请之日起计六个月之限期尚未届满之商标。
（2）（ａ）为执行本条例之规定起见，应视——
（ｉ）对货品作最后处理或加工之国家为其制造国家；最后处理或加工对用作制造货品之基本原料在形态、性质、结构及实用上有永久及实质之改变；或
（ｉｉ）货品生长或开采之国家为生产国家。
（ｂ）总监可下令规定——
（ｉ）关于任何商品之说明，就本条例而言，何种处理或加工方法应视作为会产生或不会产生对用作制造货品之基本原料在形态、性质、结构及实用上有永久及实质上之改变；
（ｉｉ）关于任何商品之说明，倘货品之不同零件分别在不同国家制造或生产，或者货品装配之国家异于货品零件制造或生产之国家，则就本条例而言，应视作该货品在该等国家之那一国制造或生产。
（ｃ）本款不适用于根据第（2Ａ）款公布之通知中所列之货品。
（2Ａ）贸易署署长可以在政府宪报发布通知的方式，就任何该通知中列明的受进出口管制安排的商品之商品说明，指明被认为是为本条例规定之目的生产或制造该类商品之地点，以及被认为是为本条例规定之目的在上述地点生产或制造的任何商品。
（3）为执行本条例之规定起见，在任何报章、书籍、期刊或在任何电影、电台或电视台发播之商品说明或陈述，除非属广告或成为广告之一部分，否则不得视为在贸易或营业过程中所应用之商品说明或所作出之陈述。
3．适用于金器之特别条款
（1）纵使第2条已有界定“虚假商品说明”之定义，凡标明黄金成色之商品说明（不论按在一千份中黄金所占份数若干或按Ｋ数计算），除短报黄金成色之外，倘在任何程度上所标明资料失实，即应属虚假商品说明。
（2）为对黄金成色之说明加以阐释起见——
（ａ）应将标明物件或物件之合金为若干Ｋ数之说明推定为表示该物件或合金含有黄金成份，所含黄金成色为附表表格所规定份量之Ｋ数；
（ｂ）倘（例如物件为一颗宝石时）“ｃａｒａｔ”一英文字乃用作指宝石重量单位而非用作指黄金成色单位，则第（ａ）段之规定概不适用。
（3）纵使第2条已有界定“虚假商品说明”之定义——
（ａ）商品说明如标明任何非足金物件为黄金制成品，除非该物件只含黄金合金及符合下开任何一项规定，否则即应属虚假商品说明——
（ｉ）黄金含量不少于8Ｋ；或
（ｉｉ）附有标志，清晰注明黄金成色，用数字或数字连同英文字母‘Ｋ’、‘Ｃ’或‘ｃｔ’以表示其Ｋ数；或
（ｉｉｉ）附有标志，清晰注明黄金成色，以黄金在一千份中所占份数论；及
（ｂ）倘一件物件为——
（ｉ）经镀金或包镶黄金合金或涂上金色；或
（ｉｉ）与黄金合金焊接或用其他方法贴上黄金合金者，凡刻意标明该物件之黄金成色之标志，除非从该物件之外形已可确知该标志仅指该物件含黄金合金之部分，否则即属虚假商品说明。
（4）物件上任何一位或两位数字，标明或据称标明或可当作标明其按Ｋ数计之黄金成色，除非该物件所含纯金度比例至少与该数字与24间之比例相同，否则即属虚假说明。
（5）物件上任何三位数字，标明或据称标明或可当作标明其在一千份中所含纯金度，除非该物件所含纯金度达到该种成色标准，否则即属虚假说明。
（6）为执行本条之规定起见，“成色”指符合第（4）款所规定之纯金比例或符合第（5）款所规定按重量计算黄金所占份数，视乎情形而定。
4．货品标注命令
（1）总督会同行政局可下令规定其命令所指定之任何货品必须附有或注明有关该货品之任何资料（不论该资料是否就是或包括商品说明在内）或用法说明；又除本条例另有规定外，并可订定确保货品注明或附有此等资料或用法说明之规定，及限制或禁止供应不遵照规定办理之货品，该等规定之适用范围可扩大至包括提供资料或用法说明之形式及方法。
（2）当根据本条针对任何种类货品而发出之命令生效时，任何人在贸易或营业过程中违反该命令，供应或试图供应该类货品，即属违法。
（3）根据本条所发之命令可按照不同情形加以不同规定；倘货品供应之情况为，命令所须提供之资料或用法说明在交货后始能转达，则可规定将该等资料或用法说明之全部或部分展示在近货品之地方。
5．列入广告内之资料
（1）总督会同行政局可下令规定其命令所指定任何货品广告之说明必须列入或提及有关该货品之任何资料（不论该资料是否就是或包括商品说明在内）；又除本条例另有规定外，并可订定规定，将该资料或如何取得该资料之指示包括在内。
（2）根据本条所发出之命令可指定将任何此等资料或指示包括在任何种类广告内所采用之形式及方法，并可在不同情形下作出不同规定。
（3）倘在贸易或营业过程中任何货品之广告不遵照根据本条所订定之规定办理，则发播该广告之人士即属违法。
第Ⅱ部 虚假商品说明或描述以及伪造商标
6．将商品说明、商标或标志用于货品
（1）任何人如有下开行为即属将商品说明或商标或标志用于货品——
（ａ）将商品说明或商标或标志贴于或附于或以任何方式注明或合并于——
（ｉ）货品本身；或
（ｉｉ）任何用以供应货品之物件；
（ｂ）将货品放于任何贴上或附有、注明或合并有商品说明或商标或标志之物件，或将此等物件与货品放在一起；
（ｃ）以任何方式使用商品说明或商标或标志，而可被视为涉及有关货品者；或
（ｄ）作任何保证书、声明书或以书面陈述，意指某一商品说明或商标或标志乃适用于有关货品者。
（2）口头声明可当作使用商品说明或商标或标志论。
（3）倘货品之供应乃依据一项要求而作出者，当时曾使用商品说明或商标或标志，而可按情况合理推断所供应之货品系该商品说明或商标或标志所指之货品，货品供应人应视作已将商品说明或商标或标志用于该货品。
7．与商品说明有关之罪行
（1）除本条例另有规定外，任何人如有下开行为即属违法——
（ａ）在贸易或营业过程中——
（ｉ）将虚假商品说明用于任何货品；或
（ｉｉ）供应或试图供应采用虚假说明之货品；或
（ｂ）拥有任何采用虚假商品说明之货品作贩卖或任何贸易或制造用途。
（2）任何人如为供应目的而展示或拥有货品，均应视为试图供应该等货品。
（3）除本条例另有规定外，任何人如处置或拥有可用作制造虚假商品说明或可将虚假商品说明用于货品之印模、电版、机器或其他工具，除非能证明其行为并无欺骗意图，否则即属违法。
8．用于广告上之商品说明
（1）本条下开各项条文对用于广告上有关任何种类货品之商品说明均属有效。
（2）（ａ）为决定是否有犯第7条第（1）款（ａ）段（ｉ）节之罪，及
（ｂ）倘在供应或试图供应该类货品之人士发播或展示广告时，为决定是否有犯第7条第（1）款（ａ）段（ｉｉ）节之罪——
商品说明应视作泛指一切该类货品，不论该货品在广告刊登时是否已存在。
（3）为执行本条之规定起见，在决定任何货品是否属于该类与用于广告上之商品说明有关时，不但须考虑广告之形式及内容，而且须考虑发播该则广告之时间、地点、方式及次数，以及所有其他事项凡是涉及会否令货品购买人联想到该商品属于该类与用于广告上之商品说明有关者。
9．与商标有关之罪行
（1）除本条例另有规定外，任何人如有下开行为，除非能证明其行为并无欺骗意图，否则即属违法——
（ａ）伪造任何商标；
（ｂ）将任何商标或与某一商标十分相似而故意骗人之任何标志冒用于任何货品；
（ｃ）制造印模、电版、机器或其他工具以作伪造，或使用作伪造商标用途；
（ｄ）处置或拥有印模、电版、机器或其他工具以作伪造商标用途；或
（ｅ）凡对（ａ）、（ｂ）、（ｃ）或（ｄ）各段所述之任何事情有促成其事者。
（2）除本条例条文另有规定外，任何人如出售或为售卖或任何贸易或制造目的而展示或拥有任何货品而该货品使用伪造商标或冒用任何商标或与某一商标十分相似而故意骗人之任何标志，即属违法。
（3）为执行本条之规定起见，除非能证明其行为并无侵犯商标条例第27条赋予商标专利权人之权益，否则任何人——
（ａ）如有下开任何一种行为，即应视作伪造商标——
（ｉ）未得该商标专利权人同意而制造该商标或制造与该商标十分相似而故意骗人之标志；或
（ｉｉ）不论以更改、增加、涂面或其他方法对任何真商标加以窜改；
（ｂ）如未得该商标专利权人同意而将该商标用于货品上，即应视作冒用该商标于货品上。
“伪造商标”一词亦应作如是解释。
（4）在检控有关第（1）款（ａ）或（ｂ）段所指罪名时，被告人应负起有关证明其得到专利权人同意之举证责任。
10．假称获得皇室认可或嘉奖等事宜
（1）除本条例另有规定外，任何人在贸易或营业过程中，如用任何方法直接或间接假称其所供应之任何货品系供应给英女皇或皇室任何成员或经其认可之货品或假称同属一类者，即属违法。
（2）除本条例另有规定外，任何人在贸易或营业过程中如有下开行为，即属违法——
（ａ）未获得英女皇授权而使用象征获得英女皇颁发工业优异奖之图案或徽章，或任何与该图案或徽章十分相似之物件而意图欺骗；或
（ｂ）未获得总督授权而使用象征获得总督颁发香港优异设计奖之图案或徽章，或任何与该图案或徽章十分相似之物件而意图欺骗。
11．有关货品供应方面之假称
除本条例另有规定外，任何人在贸易或营业过程中，如用任何方法直接或间接假称其所供应之任何货品系与供应给任何人同属一类之货品，即属违法。
12．禁止某类货品进口及出口
（1）除第13条另有规定外，任何人不得进口或出口使用虚假商品说明或伪造商标之货品。虚假商品说明或伪造商标之释义须按照第9条第（3）款所规定之解释。
（2）任何人如违反第（1）款之规定进口或出口任何货品，除非能证明——
（ａ）其本人全不知情、无理由怀疑及尽一切合理努力亦不会发现该货品为经使用虚假商品说明或伪造商标之货品；或
（ｂ）该货品并非拟用作贸易或经营生意者，否则即属违法。
（3）本条之规定不适用于任何转口货品。
13．豁免外销货之权力
第7条之规定在适用于拟输往目的地在香港以外之货品时，须当作第2条内“商品说明”一词定义所包括之各事项已省略其中（ａ）段所规定者；为执行本条之规定，倘总督颁发命令，就任何货品之说明指定上述各事项之其中一项，第7条之规定在适用该说明所指而拟输往目的地在香港以外之货品时，须当作第2条内“商品说明”一词定义所包括之各事项亦已省略该令所指定之事项。
第Ⅲ部 执行
14．委任获授权人员
（1）为执行本条例之规定起见，总监可委任任何公职人员为获授权人员。
（2）总监可行使本条例所赋予获授权人员之任何权力。
15．进入楼宇查看及检取货品及文件之权力
（1）获授权人员在出示委任证后如有必要出示其委任证者——
（ａ）为方便决定有否遵守本条例之规定，可购买认为所需货品；
（ｂ）为确定是否有人已经或正在犯本条例所指任何罪项，可查看任何货品以及进入任何非住宅楼宇；
（ｃ）倘有理由怀疑有人犯本条例所指罪项，可检取或扣留任何货品，以便采用检验或其他方法，确定是否已经犯罪；
（ｄ）倘有理由怀疑有人犯本条例所指罪项以及为确定是否已经犯罪起见，可要求从事某一贸易或业务之人士或任职于涉及某一贸易或业务之人士出示有关该贸易或业务之簿册或文件以及复印该簿册或文件或其中所载之任何一项纪录；
（ｅ）倘有理由怀疑在任何楼宇、车辆、船只（但不包括战舰）或飞机（但不包括军机）上有与已经或正在犯本条例之罪有关之货品时，——
（ｉ）可按照第16条之规定，进入及搜查该楼宇；
（ｉｉ）截停及搜查该车辆；或
（ｉｉｉ）截停及登上该船只或飞机进行搜查；
（ｆ）可检去、移去或扣押——
（ｉ）其有理由怀疑与已经或正在犯本条例之罪有关之货品；及
（ｉｉ）其有理由相信在本条例所指控罪之诉讼中须用作证据之任何物件。
（2）获授权人员——
（ａ）为行使第（1）款（ｆ）段所赋予其检取货品之权力，可强行打开任何容器或打开自动售货机；
（ｂ）可打开其根据本条例获授权入屋搜查之地方之任何内门或外门；
（ｃ）可强行登上其根据本条例获授权截停、登上或搜查之任何船只或飞机；
（ｄ）可用武力移去妨碍其行使本条例赋予其权力之任何人或任何物件；
（ｅ）可在本条例授权其搜查之任何楼宇内，将其发现之任何人扣留，直至搜查完毕为止；
（ｆ）可扣留本条例授权其截停、登上及搜查之任何船只或飞机，及阻止任何人接近或登上该船只或飞机，直至搜查完毕为止；
（ｇ）可扣留本条例授权其截停及搜查之任何车辆，直至搜查完毕为止。
16．进入及搜查住宅楼宇之限制
（1）获授权人员不得进入及搜查任何住宅楼宇，除非——
（ａ）裁判司已根据第（2）款发出令状；或
（ｂ）总监已根据第（3）款发出授权书。
（2）裁判司根据任何人经宣誓之告发，如认为有适当理由怀疑任何住宅楼宇内有任何货品或物件可根据第15条第（1）款（ｆ）段予以检去、移走或扣押者，则可发出令状，授权获授权人员进入及搜查该楼宇。
（3）总监如认为有适当理由怀疑——
（ａ）任何住宅楼宇内有任何货品或物件可根据第15条第（1）款（ｆ）段予以检去、移走或扣押；及
（ｂ）除非立即进入及搜查该楼宇，否则上述货品或物件可能从该楼宇运走，
则可用书面授权获授权人员进入及搜查该楼宇。
（4）根据第（2）款或第（3）款获授权进入及搜查任何住宅楼宇之获授权人员，可带同其认为需要之其他人员及配备。
16Ａ．将楼宇或容器上锁或加上封条以扣押货品之权力
（1）获授权人员，为根据第15条之规定扣押——
（ａ）其本人有适当理由怀疑与已经或正在触犯本条例所指罪行有关之货品；及
（ｂ）其本人有理由相信在本条例所指罪行之诉讼中可用作证据之任何物件，可将该货品或物件所在楼宇或其容器上锁或加上封条。
（2）倘获授权人员根据第（1）款将某楼宇或容器上锁或加上封条，则上锁或加上封条之期间，在未得该楼宇或容器之所有人或获其授权代理人之书面同意之前，不得超过7天。
（3）倘获授权人员已根据第（1）款将某楼宇或容器上锁或加上封条，任何人破坏或干扰该锁或封条，即属违法；但如该人乃由于下列原因而采取该项行动者，则属例外——
（ａ）该人真心认为必须立即采取该项行动，以防——
（ｉ）任何人受到伤害；或
（ｉｉ）该楼宇或容器受到损坏；或
（ｂ）该人乃以公职人员身份执行职务。
16Ｂ．获授权人员之逮捕权
（1）除第（2）款另有规定外，凡获授权人员，倘有理由怀疑某人已触犯本条例，可毋须令状而将其逮捕或扣留，以便作进一步查询。
（2）凡根据第（1）款逮捕任何人士之获授权人员，须立即将该人带往警署，如须作进一步查询，可先将其带返海关办事处，然后再带往警署按《警察条例》（第232章）处理：
但在任何情况下，均不得将该人扣留超过四十八小时而不起诉该人及将其提交裁判司处理。
（3）凡以武力反抗或企图逃避根据本条执行之逮捕者，获授权人员可使用适当之武力，将其逮捕。
16Ｃ．资料等之透露
（1）倘根据第15条之规定检获或扣押之货品乃使用伪造商标或冒用某一商标或与某一商标十分相似而故意骗人之标志或总监有适当理由怀疑使用上述商标或标志之货品，总监在合理可行之情况下，须将检获及扣押货品情事，通知该商标所有人或获其授权之代理人。
（2）在第（1）款所述情形下，总监可向商标所有人或获其授权之代理人透露下列资料——
（ａ）检获或扣押货品之时间及地址；
（ｂ）所检获或扣押货品之持有人之姓名及地址；
（ｃ）所检获或扣押货品之性质及数量；
（ｄ）任何人向总监所作有关该项检获及扣押情事之陈述，不论此项透露乃事先获得该人之书面同意或因该人已去世或总监对该人下落进行合理之调查仍未寻获该人而未获得该人之书面同意；
（ｅ）任何有关所检获或扣押货品之其他资料或文件，而总监认为适宜透露者。
（3）商标所有人或获其授权之代理人，如——
（ａ）其本人要求透露第（2）款所未有提及之资料或文件；或
（ｂ）总监不将第（2）款所提及之资料或文件透露，可向最高法院原讼法庭申请颁发命令，着令总监将该等资料或文件透露，而最高法院原讼法庭于接获申请后，如认为适当，可颁发该项命令。
（4）第（3）款所指之申请，于通知总监后，可在庭上公开提出。
17．妨碍执法及透露资料等罪行
（1）在不妨碍任何其他条例之情况下，任何人有下开行为，即属违法——
（ａ）蓄意妨碍获授权人员根据本条例行使权力或执行职务；
（ｂ）蓄意不遵行获授权人员提出之合理要求；
（ｃ）无合理解释而拒绝向获授权人员提供该人员根据本条例执行职务时合理所需之协助或资料。
（2）除第（2Ａ）款另有规定外，任何人如——
（ａ）将其本人从根据本条例进入之楼宇内获得任何有关制造过程或商业秘密之资料；或
（ｂ）将其本人依据本条例获得之资料，向别人透露，即属违法，但如此项透露——
（ｉ）乃于其本人或其他人士根据本条例执行职务过程中作出或为此项目的而作出，或
（ｉｉ）若属（ｂ）段所述情形，则根据法庭之指示或命令而作出者，则属例外。
（2Ａ）凡根据第16Ｃ条第（1）或第（2）款，或根据最高法院原讼法庭根据第16Ｃ第（3）款所颁命令而将资料透露者，不作违反第（2）款规定论。
（3）任何人在提供第（1）款（ｃ）段所述之资料时作出其本人明知为虚伪之陈述，即属违法。
（4）除第（5）款另有规定外，本条之规定不得视作——
（ａ）规定任何人必须回答任何问题或提供任何资料，如此举可使其本人或其妻室或丈夫受牵连；或
（ｂ）迫使律师将内载有其本人以律师身份记录或收到之机密资料之文件交出或授权将其藏有之上述文件检去。
（5）任何人不得因下列行为可能将其本人或其妻室或丈夫牵连入本条例所指之罪案而——
（ａ）在任何民事诉讼案中不回答所提出之问题；或
（ｂ）在上述诉讼案中不遵行所发出之命令，但回答问题或遵行命令时所作之陈述或招认，在有关本条例所指罪项之诉讼中，不得接纳为呈堂证据，以针对其本人或其妻室或丈夫（彼等于作出该项陈述或招认后结婚者除外）。
18．罚则
（1）凡犯第4、第5、第7、第9、第10、第11或第12条所指之罪者——
（ａ）一经公诉定罪，可处罚款五十万元及监禁五年；及
（ｂ）一经简易程序审讯定罪，可处罚款十万元及监禁两年。
（1Ａ）凡犯第16Ａ条第（3）款所指之罪者，可处罚款五千元及监禁三个月。
（2）凡犯第17条所指之罪者，可处罚款一万元及监禁一年。
19．起诉期限
关于本条例所指罪行之起诉，不得于下列期间之后提出，两者中以较先期满者为准——
（ａ）违犯之日起三年期满后；或
（ｂ）检察官发现该罪项之日起一年期满后。
20．法人团体之犯罪
倘某法人团体因犯本条例所指之罪而被裁定罪名成立，则所有于该罪行发生时担任该法人团体之董事、经理、秘书或其他类似职位之人士，或当时以上述身份处理事务之任何人，均犯同罪；但如能证明其本人对该罪行并不知情或已尽力防止该罪行发生者，则属例外。
21．因他人过失而引致之罪行
倘任何人犯本条例所指之罪乃因他人之行为或过失而引起，则后者亦犯同罪；无论前者是否被检控，后者亦可因本条之规定而被检控及定罪。
22．参与在香港以外地方进行之犯罪行为
除本条例另有规定外，任何人在香港促成、怂恿、协助、教唆或参与他人在香港以外地方进行任何行为，而该行为在香港足以构成本条例所指之罪行者，即属违法，并得以主犯身份在香港被检控，一如该罪行在香港境内发生者。
23．样本
（1）倘任何行为或遗漏同时构成本条例及《公众卫生及文康市政条例》（第132章）所指之罪行，凡为控方利益而提出有关提取分析样本之证据，在有关本条例所指罪行之诉讼中，只有已遵照公众卫生及文康市政条例第63条之规定办理者，方获得接纳。
（2）总督会同行政局可制订规例，规定在有关本条例所指罪行，并涉及该规例所列货品之诉讼（不包括因第（1）款所述罪项而提出之诉讼）中，凡为控方之利益而提出有关提取分析样本之证据，除非该样本已根据该规例所指定之办法予以处理，否则不得予以接纳。
24．以证明书方式提出之证据
（1）总督会同行政局可制订规例，规定在根据本条例进行之诉讼中，凡由该规例所列人士就该规例所列事项签发之证明书，除本条另有规定外，均应接纳为该事项之证据。
（2）上述证明书，不得接纳为证据——
（ａ）除非该证明书之副本已于举行聆讯最少7天前送达其所针对之当事人；或
（ｂ）如该当事人在举行聆讯最少3天前已向对方发出通知，要求签发该证明书之人出席。
（3）为执行本条之规定，凡称为本条所述证明书之文件，除非能提出反证，否则应视作该证明书。
24Ａ．关于输入使用虚假商品说明货品之证据规则
在根据本条例对输入在制造、生产、加工或翻新地方或国家方面使用虚假商品说明之货品而提出之检控中，有关该货品从某一地方或国家输入之证据，即为该货品乃在该地方或国家制造、生产、加工或翻新之表面证据。
25．在诉状中描述商标之办法
在任何告发书、起诉书、诉状、诉讼或文件中，倘拟提及任何商标或伪造商标者，则只须述明该商标或伪造商标乃一商标或伪造商标，而毋须再加描述或附上其副本或复本。
26．辩护、错误、意外等
（1）在有关本条例所指罪行之诉讼中，除第（2）款另有规定外，被告如能证明下开各点，即可以作为辩护理由——
（ａ）其本人犯罪乃由于错误、信赖他人所提供之资料、他人之行为或过失、意外或其本人不能控制之原因而引起；及
（ｂ）其本人已采取合理之预防措施，并尽一切努力，以防止其本人或受其管辖之人犯罪。
（2）倘第（1）款所规定之辩护理由包括一项声称，谓犯罪乃由于他人之行为或过失或由于信赖他人所提供之资料而引起者，除非被告于举行聆讯日期七整天前之期间内已向检察官送达一份通知书，列出其当时手上所有，足以辨认或有助于辨认该人之资料，否则在未得法庭许可之前，不得引用该项辩护理由。
（3）在有关第7条第（1）款（ａ）段（ｉｉ）节或（ｂ）段所指罪行之诉讼中，被告人如能证明其本人并不知悉，或无理由怀疑或已尽一切合理之努力而仍无法确定有关之货品与其说明不符或该说明前已用于该货品，则可以作为辩护理由。
（4）在有关第9条第（2）款所指罪行之诉讼中，被告人如能证明其本人并不知悉，或无理由怀疑或已尽一切合理努力而仍无法确定该货品乃使用伪造商标或该货品乃冒用某一商标或与某一商标十分相似而故意骗人之标志者，则可以作为辩护理由。
27．不知其不当而发播广告
在因发播广告而犯本条例所指罪行之诉讼中，被告如能证明其本人乃以发播或安排发播广告为业，而该广告乃于日常业务过程中承接发播，以及当时并不知悉或无理由怀疑发播该广告乃构成本条例所指之罪行者，即可以作为辩护理由。
28．诉讼费
在根据本条例而进行之诉讼中，纵使其他条例另有规定，主审裁判司或法庭可在诉讼费方面发出其认为适当之命令。
29．发出有关财产收归政府之命令之权力
倘有任何财产因执行本条例之规定而收归政府或获授权人员所有，除本条例另有规定外，《刑事诉讼条例》（第221章）第102条之规定全部适用于该等财产，一如其为因刑事罪而归警方所有之财产；该条条文内有提及警方之处，应解作提及政府及获授权人员。
30．某类货品之没收及处置
（1）凡与本条例所指罪项有关之货品，不论有无人因该罪项而被定罪，均可予以没收。
（2）倘获授权人员根据第15条将货品检去或扣押，总监可按照其以书面订定之条件，将货品发还予其认为属于货主或获其授权代理人之人。
（3）倘货品并未根据第（2）款之规定予以发还，总监可在检控罪项之同一诉讼或在根据本条例进行之其他诉讼中，向法庭或裁判司申请将货品没收。
（4）在聆讯根据第（3）款提出之申请时，法庭或裁判司如认为货品应予没收，可下令——
（ａ）将货品没收，归政府所有；
（ｂ）将货品毁灭；
（ｃ）将货品所用之虚假商品说明或伪造商标除去，然后按照法庭或裁判司在命令中指定之方法及条件将货品处置；或
（ｄ）将货品所用之虚假商品说明或伪造商标除去，然后按照法庭或裁判司在命令中指定之条件将货品发还予货主或获其授权之代理人。
（5）倘根据第（3）款在不属于检控罪行之诉讼中，向法庭或裁判司申请将货品没收，总监须立即以书面通知货主或获其授权代理人，除非货主或获其授权代理人经以书面向总监表示不需要该项通知：
但如货主超过一名，则为执行本款之规定，只须将通知书送交其中一名货主或获其授权代理人便可，除非该货主或代理人已表示不需要该项通知。
31．（已撤销）
第Ⅳ部 杂项规定
32．内有商品说明之商标
任何商品说明，倘用于任何货品，则除非符合下开条件、否则即使其为商标或商标之一部分，亦不得因此一事实而不视作虚假商标说明——
（ａ）若本条例并未制定，该商品说明可合法用于该货品；
（ｂ）按照其使用方式，该商标乃用以显示该货品与该商标所有人或与根据《商标条例》（第43章）第58条登记为该商标之注册使用者之关系；或
（ｃ）该商标现时之所有人与在本条例开始生效时该商标之所有人或其权利继承人均属同一人。
33．关于词语定义之命令
倘总督会同行政局认为——
（ａ）为符合货品购买人之利益；或
（ｂ）为符合货品出口商之利益，及在并无违背本港货品购买人利益之情况下，有关货品所使用之词语应为人了解为具有一定意义者，可制订规例，规定该等词语在下开情况下使用时之意义——
（ｉ）在贸易或商业过程中作为货品所用之商品说明或其部分使用；或
（ｉｉ）在规例所指情况下使用。为执行本条例之规定，任何词语，倘其意义已如上文所述予以规定者，则在按照本条第（ｉ）或第（ｉｉ）节所述情况使用时，应具有同一意义。
34．公民权之保障
凡有关供应货品之合约，不得只因违反本条例之规定而变作无效或不能执行。
35．赔偿因根据第15条第（1）款（ｆ）段被检去货品而蒙受损失
（1）倘获授权人员根据第15条检去或扣押任何货品，除本条另有规定外，政府须负责赔偿货主因其货品遭检去或扣押，或因其货品在扣押期间遗失、损毁或变坏而蒙受之损失；但如遇下列情形，则货主无权因蒙受上述损失而获得赔偿——
（ａ）该货品经予没收；
（ｂ）货主因犯本条例所指与该货品有关之罪行而被定罪；或
（ｃ）根据第30条第（4）款发出与该货品有关之命令。
（2）在根据第（1）款所述理由提出赔偿申请而对政府进行之诉讼中，可追回之赔偿款额应为考虑事件真相，包括下列人士之行为及对事件相对所应负之责任后认为公平合理者——
（ａ）货主；
（ｂ）货品检去时负责管理之人；
（ｃ）（ａ）及（ｂ）段所述人士之代理人；及
（ｄ）获授权人员，公职人员及其他有关人士。
（3）关于根据第（1）款所述理由而提出赔偿申请之诉讼，除非在下列期间内提出，否则不得继续进行——
（ａ）如赔偿申请乃与法庭或裁判司下令发还，或任何有权力发还货品之人发还与货主之货品有关，不得迟于货品发还后六个月；
（ｂ）如赔偿申请乃因货品在扣押期内遗失而提出，则不得迟于下开日期后六个月——
（ｉ）货主发觉该项理由后之日；或
（ｉｉ）货主于尽一切合理努力后可能发现该项理由之日，两者中，以较先者为准。
TRADE DESCRIPTIONS ORDINANCE
(CHAPTER 362)
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
SectionPART I PRELIMINARY1. Short title2. Interpretation3. Special provisions applicable to goldware4. Marking orders5. Information to be given in advertisementsPART II FALSE TRADE DESCRIPTIONS OR REPRESENTATIONS AND FORGED TRADEMARKS6. Applying a trade description, trade mark or mark to goods7. Offences in respect of trade descriptions8. Trade descriptions used in advertisements9. Offences in respect of trade marks10. False representations as toRoyal approval or award. etc.11. False representations as to supply of goods12. Prohibited import and export of certain goods13. Power to exempt goods sold for exportPART III ENFORCEMENT14. Appointment of authorized officers15. Power to enter premises and inspect and seize goods and documents16. Restrictions on the entry and search of domestic premises16A. Power to detain goods by locking or sealing premises or container16B. Powers of arrest of authorized officers16C. Disclosure of information, etc.17. Offences of obstruction and disclosure of information18. Penalties19. Time limit for prosecutions20. Offences by corporations21. Offences due to fault of other person22. Accessory to offences committed outside Hong Kong23. Samples24. Evidence by certificate24A. Rule of evidence regarding imported goods with false tradedescription25. Description of trade mark in pleading26. Defence mistake, accident, etc.27. Innocent publication of advertisements28. Costs in proceedings29. Power to make orders with respect to property in possession of theCrown30. Forfeiture and disposal of certain goods31. [Repealed]PART IV MISCELLANEOUS32. Trade marks containing trade descriptions33. Definition Orders34. Saving for civilrights35. Compensation for loss of goods seized under section 15 (1) (f)
Whole document
To prohibit false trade descriptions, false marks and misstatements inrespect of goods provided in the course of trade; to confer power torequire information or instruction relating to goods to be marked on or toaccompany the goods or to be included in advertisements; to prohibit theunauthorized use of devices or emblems signifying an award by the Queen orthe Governor; to restate the law relating to forgery of trade marks; andfor purposes connected therewith.[1 April 1981.]
PART I PRELIMINARY
1. Short title.This Ordinance may be cited as the Trade Descriptions Ordinance.2. Interpretation.(1) In this Ordinance, unless the context otherwise requires--"advertisement" includes a catalogue, a circular and a price list;"authorized officer" means a public officer appointed under section 14;"Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Customs and Excise and any Deputyor Assistant Commissioner of Customs and Excise; (Added, L. N. 294/82)"Convention country" has the meaning assigned to it by section 13A (6) ofthe Trade Marks Ordinance (Cap. 43.);"false trade description" means--(a) a trade description which is false to a material degree;(b) a trade description which, though not false, is misleading, that is tosay, likely to be taken for such an indication of any of the mattersspecified in the definition of "trade description" as would be false to amaterial degree;(c) anything which, though not a trade description, is likely to be takenfor an indication of any of the matters specified in the definition of"trade description" and, as such an indication, would be false to amaterial degree;(d) a false indication, or anything likely to be taken as an indicationwhich would be false, that any goods comply with a standard specified orrecognized by any person or implied by the approval of any person if thereis no such person or no standard so specified, recognized or implied; or(e) a false indication, or anything likely to be taken as an indicationwhich would be false, that any goods of any class or type--(i) being goods in respect of which duty is payable under the laws of HongKong, are supplied free of the duty so payable in respect of that class ortype of goods; or(ii) not being goods in respect of which duty is payable under the laws ofHong Kong, are supplied free of the duty sopayable;"goods" includes vessel and aircraft. things attached to land and growingcrops; "goods in transit" means goods which--(a) are brought into HongKong solely for the purpose of taking them outof Hong Kong; and(b) remain at all times in or on the vessel, aircraft or vehicle in or onwhich they are brought into Hong Kong;"import" means to bring, or cause to be brought, into Hong Kong;"premises" includes any place and any stall, vehicle, vessel or aircraft;
"trade description" means an indication, direct or indirect, and bywhatever means given, of any of the following matters with respect to anygoods or parts of goods, that is to say--(a) quantity (which includes length, width, height, area, volume,capacity, weight, and number), size or gauge;(b) method of manufacture. production, processing or reconditioning;(c) composition;(d) fitness for purpose, strength, performance, behaviour or accuracy;(e) any physical characteristics not included in the preceding paragraphs;(f) testing by any person and results thereof;(g) approval by any person or conformity with a type approved by anyperson;(h) place or date of manufacture , production, processing orreconditioning;(i) person by whom manufactured, produced, processed or reconditioned;(j) other history, including previous ownership or use;"trade mark" means--(a) a trade mark relating to goods registered in Hong Kong under the TradeMarks Ordinance (Cap. 43.);(b) a trade mark registered in the register of trade marks kept under orpreserved by the Trade Marks Act 1938;(c) a trade mark--(i) registered, or in respect of which an application for registration hasbeen made, in a Britishterritory or a Convention country; and(ii) capable of registration in Hong Kong under the Trade Marks Ordinanceas a trade mark relating to goods, and(iii) in respect of which a period of 6 months has not expired since thedate of the application for the registration thereof in a Britishterritory or a Convention country.(2) (a) For the purposes of this Ordinance, goods shall be deemed to havebeen--(i) manufactured in the country in which they last underwent a treatmentor process which changed permanently and substantially the shape, nature,form or utility of the basic materials used in their manufacture; or(ii) produced in the country in which they were wholly grown or mined.(b) The Commissioner may by order specify--(Amended, L. N. 294/82)(i) in relation to any description of goods, what treatment or process isto be regarded for the purposes of this Ordinance as resulting or notresulting in a permanent and substantial change in shape, nature, form orutility of the basic materials used in their manufacture;(ii) in relation to any description of goods different parts of which weremanufactured or produced in different countries, or of goods assembled ina country different from that inwhich their parts were manufactured orproduced, in which of those countries the goods are to be regarded for thepurposes of this Ordinance as having been manufactured or produced.(c) This subsection shall not apply to goods which are the subject of anotice published under subsection (2A).(2A) The Director-General of Trade may by notice in the Gazette specify inrelation to any description of goods (being goods that are subject to ascheme of import or export control specified in the notice) the place inwhich the goods are to be regarded for the purposes of this Ordinance ashaving been manufactured or produced, and any such goods shall, for thepurposes of this Ordinance, be deemed to have been manufactured orproduced in such place. (Added 96 of 1991, s. 2)
(3) For the purposes of this Ordinance, a trade description or statementpublished in any newspaper, book or periodical or in any film or sound ortelevision broadcast shall not be deemed to be a trade description appliedor statement made in the course of a trade or business unless it is orforms part of an advertisement.3. Special provisions applicable to goldware.(1) Notwithstanding the definition of "false trade description" in section2, a trade description which indicates the fineness (whether in parts perthousand or in carats) of gold shall be a false trade description if thatindication is false to any extend or degree, except by understating thefineness.(2) For the purpose of construing descriptions relating to the fineness ofgold--(a) a description indicating that an article, or the metal in an article,is so many carats shall be presumed to be an indication that the articleor metal is of gold, and that its fineness is that specified in the tablein the Schedule for that number of carats;(b) paragraph (a) shall not apply if (as ina case where the article is aprecious stone) the word "carat" is used as a measure of weight forprecious stones, and not as a measure of fineness.(3) Notwithstanding the definition of "false trade description" in section2--(a) a trade description which indicates that any article (other than anarticle of pure gold) is of gold shall be a false trade description unlessthe article consists solely of gold alloy and--(i) contains not less than 8 carats of gold; or(ii) bears a mark clearly indicating in carats, by number or by number andthe letters "k", "c" or "ct", the fineness of the gold content; or(iii) bears a mark clearly indicating in parts per thousand the finenessof the gold content; and(b) a mark calculated to be taken as an indication ofthe fineness of goldof an article--(i) which is plated with or enclose in gold alloy or gilded; or(ii) to which gold alloy is soldered or otherwise affixed, shall be afalse trade description unless it is manifest from the appearance of thearticle that the mark refers solely to the part of thearticle whichconsists of gold alloy.(4) Any number of 1 or 2 digits on an article which indicates or purportsto indicate, or is likely to be taken as an indication of, the fineness incarats of its gold content shall be a false trade description unless thearticle contains at least the same proportion of pure gold as the numberbears to 24.(5) Any number of 3 digits on an article which indicates or purports toindicate, or is likely to be taken as an indication of, the fineness innumber of parts per thousand of its gold content shall be a false tradedescription unless the article contains gold of such a standard offineness.(6) For the purposes of this section "fineness" means the proportion ofpure gold in accordance with subsection (4) or the number of parts byweight of gold in accordance with subsection (5) as the case may require.
4. Marking orders.(1) The Governor in Council may by order require that any goods specifiedin the order shall be marked with or accompanied by any information(whether or not amounting to or including a trade description) orinstruction relating to the goods and, subject to the provisions of thisOrdinance, impose requirements for securing that the goods are so markedor accompanied, and regulate or prohibit the supply of goods with respectto which the requirements are not complied with; and the requirements mayextend to the form and manner in which the information or instruction istobe given.(2) Where an order under this section is in force with respect to goods ofany description, any person who, in the course of any trade or business,supplies or offers to supply goods of that description in contravention ofthe order commits an offence.(3) An order under this section may make different provision for differentcircumstances and may, in the case of goods supplied in circumstanceswhere the information or instruction required by the order would not beconveyed until after delivery, required the whole or part thereof to bealso displayed near the goods.5. Information to be given in advertisements.(1) The Governor in Council may by order require that any description ofadvertisements of any goods specified in the order shall contain or referto information (whether or not amounting to or including a tradedescription) relating to such goods and subject to the provisions of thisOrdinance impose requirements as to the inclusion of that information orof an indication of the means by which it may be obtained.(2) An order under this section may specify the form and manner in whichany such information or indication is to be included in advertisements ofany description and may make different provision for differentcircumstances.(3) Where an advertisement of any goods to be supplied in the course ofany trade or business fails to comply with any requirement imposed underthis section, any person who publishes the advertisement commits anoffence.
PART II FALSE TRADE DESCRIPTIONS OR REPRESENTATIONS AND FORGED TRADE MARKS
6. Applying a trade description, trade mark or mark to goods.(1) A person applies a trade description or trade mark or mark to goods ifhe--(a) affixes or annexes it to or in any manner marks it on or incorporatesit with--(i) the goods themselves; or(ii) anything in, on or with which the goods are supplied;(b) places the goods in, on or with anything which the trade descriptionor trade mark or mark has been affixed or annexed to, marked on orincorporated with, or places any such thing with the goods;(c) uses the trade description or trade mark or mark in any manner likelyto be taken as referring to the goods; or(d) makes in any affidavit, declaration or writing any statement to theeffect that a trade description or trade mark or mark is applicable to thegoods.
(2) An oral statement may amount to the use of a trade description ortrade mark or mark.(3) Where goods are supplied in pursuance of a request in which a tradedescription or trade mark or mark is used and the circumstances are suchas to make it reasonable to infer that the goods are supplied as goodscorresponding to that trade description or trade mark or mark, the personsupplying the goods shall be deemed to have applied that trade descriptionor trade mark or mark to the goods.7. Offences in respect of trade descriptions.(1) Subject to the provisions of this Ordinance, any person who--(a) in the course of any trade or business--(i) applies a false trade description to any goods; or(ii) supplies or offers to supply any goods to which a false tradedescription is applied; or(b) has in his possession for sale or for any purpose of trade ormanufacture any goods to whicha false trade description is applied.commits an offence.(2) A person exposing goods for supply or having goods in his possessionfor supply shall be deemed to offer to supply them.(3) Subject to the provisions of this Ordinance any person who disposes ofor has in his possession any die, block, machine, or other instrument forthe purpose of making, or applying to goods a false trade descriptioncommits an offence unless he proves that he acted without intent todefraud.8. Trade descriptions used in advertisements.(1) The following provisions of this section shall have effect where in anadvertisement a trade description is used in relation to any class ofgoods.(2) The trade description shall be taken as referring to all goods of theclass, whether or not in existence at the time the advertisement ispublished--(a) for the purpose of determining whether an offence has been committedunder section 7 (1) (a) (i); and(b) where goods of the class are supplied or offered to be supplied by aperson publishing or displaying the advertisement, also for the purpose ofdetermining whether an offence has been committed under section 7 (1) (a)(ii).(3) In determining for the purposes of thissection whether any goods areof a class to which a trade description used in an advertisement relates,regard shall be had not only to the form and content of the advertisementbut also to the time, place, manner and frequency of its publication andall other matters making it likely or unlikely that aperson to whom thegoods are supplied would think of the goods as belonging to the class inrelation to which the trade description is used in the advertisement.
9. Offences in respect of trade marks.(1) Subject to the provisions of this Ordinance, any person who--(a) forges any trade mark;(b) falsely applies to any goods any trade mark or any mark so nearlyresembling a trade mark as to be calculated to deceive;(c) makes any die, block, machine or other instrument for the purpose offorging, or of being used for forging, a trade mark;(d) disposes of or has in his possession any die, block, machine orotherinstrument for the purpose of forging a trade mark; or(e) causes to be done anything referred to in paragraph (a), (b), (c) or(d), commits an offence unless he proves that he acted without intent todefraud.(2) Subject to the provisions of this Ordinance, any person who sells orexposes or has in his possession for sale or for any purpose of trade ormanufacture, any goods to which any forged trade mark is applied, or towhich any trade mark ormark so nearly resembling a trade mark as to becalculated to deceive is falsely applied, commits an offence.(3) For the purposes of this section, a person shall be deemed--(a) to forge a trade mark who either--(i) without the assent of the proprietor of the trade mark, makes thattrade mark or a mark so nearly resembling that trade mark as to becalculated to deceive; or(ii) falsifies any genuine trade mark, whether by alteration, addition,effacement or otherwise;(b) falsely to apply to goods a trade mark who without the assent of theproprietor of that trade mark applies that trade markto goods, (Amended,L. N. 346/82) unless he proves that he acted without infringing the rightof the proprietor of the trade mark conferred by section 27of the TradeMarks Ordinance (Cap. 43), and "forged trade mark" shall be construedaccordingly.(4) In any prosecution for an offence under subsection (1) (a) or (b) theburden of proving the assent of the proprietor shall lie on the defendant.10. False representations as to Royal approval or award, etc.(1) Subject to the provisions of this Ordinance, any person who, in thecourse of any trade or business, gives, by whatever means, any falseindication, direct or indirect, that any goods supplied by him are or areof a kind supplied to or approved by Her Majesty or any member of theRoyal Family commits an offence.(2) Subject to the provisions of this Ordinance, any person who, in thecourse of any trade or business, uses--(a) without the authority of Her Majesty, any device or emblem signifyingthe Queen's Award to Industry or anything so nearly resembling such adevice or emblem asto be likely to deceive; or(b) without the authority of the Governor, any device or emblem signifyingthe Governor's Award for Hong Kong Design or anything so nearly resemblingsuch a device or emblem as to be likely to deceive,commits an offence.11. False representations as to supply of goods.Subject to the provisions of this Ordinance, any person who, in the courseof any trade or business, gives, by whatever means, any false indication,direct or indirect, that any goods supplied by him are of a kind suppliedto any person, commits an offence.
12. Prohibited import and export of certain goods.(1) Subject to section 13, no person shall import or export any goods towhich a false trade description or forged trade mark, which expressionshall be construed in accordance with section 9 (3), is applied.(2) Any person who imports or exportsany goods contrary to subsection (1)commits an offence unless he proves that--(a) he did not know, had no reason to suspect and could not withreasonable diligence have found out that the goods are goods to which afalse trade description or forged trade mark is applied; or(b) the goods are not intended for trade or business.(3) This section shall not apply to any goods in transit.13. Power to exempt goods sold for export.In relation to goods which are intended for despatch to a destinationoutside Hong Kong, section 7 shall apply as if there were omitted from thematters included in the definition of "trade description" in section 2those specified in paragraph (a) thereof, and, if the Governor by orderspecifies any other of those matters for the purposes of this section withrespect to any description of goods, section 7 shall apply, in relation togoods of that description which are intended for despatch to a destinationoutside Hong Kong, as if the matters so specified were also omitted fromthose included in the definition of "trade description" in section 2.
PART III ENFORCEMENT
14. Appointment of authorized officers.(1) The Commissioner may appoint any public officer to be an authorizedofficer for the purposes of this Ordinance.(2) The Commissioner may exercise any of the powers conferred on anauthorized officer under this Ordinance.(Amended, L. N. 294/82)15. Power to enter premises and inspect and seize goods and documents.(1) An authorized officer may, on production, if required of evidence ofhis appointment--(a) make such purchases of goods as may appear expedient for the purposeof determining whether or not the provisions of this Ordinance are beingcomplied with;(b) for the purpose of ascertaining whether any offence under thisOrdinance has been or is being committed, inspect any goods and enter anypremises other than domestic premises;(c) if he has reasonable cause to suspect that an offence under thisOrdinance has been committed, seizeor detain any goods for the purpose ofascertaining, by testing or otherwise, whether the offence has beencommitted;(d) if he has reasonable causeto suspect that an offence under thisOrdinance has been committed and for the purpose of ascertaining whetherit has been committed, require any person carrying on a trade or businessor employed in connection with a trade or business to produce any books ordocuments relating to the trade or business and may take copies of, or ofany entry in, any such book or document;
(e) in the case of any premises, vehicle, vessel (other than a ship ofwar) or aircraft (other than a military aircraft) in which he hasreasonable cause to suspect that there are goods in respect of which anoffence under this Ordinance has been or is being committed--(i) subject to section 16, enter and search such premises;(ii) stop and search such vehicle; or(iii) stop, board and search such vessel or aircraft;(f) seize, remove or detain--(i) any goods in respect of which he has reasonable cause to suspect anoffence under this Ordinance has been or is being committed; and(ii) anything which he has reason to believe may be required as evidencein proceedings for an offence under this Ordinance.(2) An authorized officer may--(a) break open any container or open any vending machine for the purposeof exercising his powers under subsection (1) (f) to seize goods;(b) break open anyouter or inner door of any place which he is empoweredor authorized by or under this Ordinance to enter and search;(c) forcibly board any vessel or aircraft which he is empowered by thisOrdinance to stop, board or search;(d) remove by force any person or thing obstructing him in the exercise ofany power conferred on him by this Ordinance;(e) detain any person found in any premises which he is empowered orauthorized by or under this Ordinance tosearch until such place has beenso searched;(f) detain any vessel or aircraft which he is empowered by this Ordinanceto stop, board and search, and prevent any person from approaching orboarding such vessel or aircraft until it has been so searched;(g) detain any vehicle which he is empowered by or under this Ordinance tostop and search until it has been so searched.16. Restrictions on the entry and search of domestic premises.(1) No domestic premises shall be entered and searched by an authorizedofficer unless--(a) a magistrate has issued a warrant under subsection (2); or(b) the Commissioner has given an authorization under subsection (3).(Amended, L. N. 294/82)(2) A magistrate may, if he is satisfied by information on oath that thereis reasonable ground for suspecting that there is in any domestic premisesany goods or thing which may be seized, removed or detained under section15 (1) (f), issue a warrant authorizing an authorized officer to enter andsearch the premises.(3) The Commissioner may, if he is satisfied that there is reasonableground for suspecting--(Amended, L. N. 294/82)(a) that there is in any domestic premises any goods or thing which may beseized, removed or detained under section 15 (1) (f); and(b) that unless the premises are entered and searched immediately suchgoods or thing are likely to be removed from the premises,authorize in writing an authorized officer to enter and search thepremises.(4) An authorized officer authorized under subsection (2) or (3)to enterand search any domestic premises may take with him such other persons andsuch equipment as may appear to him to be necessary.
16A. Power to detain goods by locking or sealing premises or container.(1) An authorized officer may, for the purpose of detaining, under section15--(a) any goods in respect of which he has reasonable cause to suspect thatan offence under this Ordinance has been or is being committed; and(b) anything which he has reason to believe may be required as evidence inproceedings for an offence under this Ordinance, place a lock or seal onany premises or container in which the goods or things are.(2) If a lock or seal is placed on any premises or container undersubsection (1), the period for which the lock or seal is placed shall notexceed 7 days without the consent in writing of the owner of the premisesor container, or his authorized agent.(3) If an authorized officer has placed a lock or seal on any premises orcontainer under subsection (1), any person who breaks or interferes withsuch lock or seal commits an offence unless he does so--(a) in the bona fide belief that it is necessary immediately to break orinterfere with the lock or seal in order to prevent--(i) injury being suffered by any person; or(ii) damage being incurred to any such premises or container, as the casemay be; or(b) in the exercise of his duties as a public officer.(Added, 2 of 1987, s. 2)16B. Powers of arrest of authorized officers.(1) An authorized officer may, subject to subsection (2), arrest or detainfor further enquiries without warrant any person whom he reasonablysuspects of having committed any offence under this Ordinance.(2) An authorized officer who arrests any person under subsection (1)shall forthwith take the person to a police station or, if furtherenquiries are necessary, first to an office of the Customs and ExciseDepartment and then to a police station, there to be dealt with inaccordance with the provisions of the Police Force Ordinance (Cap. 232.):Provided that in no case shall any person be detained for more than 48hours without being charged and brought before a magistrate.(3) If any person forcibly resists or attempts to evade arrest under thissection, the authorized officer may use such force as is reasonablynecessary to effect the arrest. (Added, 2 of 1987, s. 2)16C. Disclosure of information,etc.(1) Where goods seized or detained under section 15 are, or are reasonablysuspected by the Commissioner to be, goods to which a forged trade mark isapplied, or to which a trade mark or mark or mark so nearly resembling atrade mark as to be calculated to deceive is falsely applied, theCommissioner shall, wherever reasonably practicable, notify the proprietorof the trade mark or his authorized agent of the seizure or detention, asthe case may be.
(2) In the circumstances specified in subsection (1), the Commissioner maydisclose to the proprietor of the trade mark or to his authorized agent--(a) the time, and the address of the place, of seizure or detention of thegoods;(b) the name and address of the person from whom the goods have beenseized or detained;(c) the nature and quantity of the goods seized or detained;(d) any statement made to the Commissioner by any person in connectionwith the seizure or detention, either with the prior consent in writing ofthat person or without such consent where that person is dead or cannotafter reasonable enquiries by the Commissioner as to his whereabouts befound by the Commissioner;(e) any other information or document relating to thegoods seized ordetained which the Commissioner thinks fit to disclose.(3) The proprietor of a trade mark or his authorized agent--(a) where he seeks disclosure of any information or document that is notreferred to in subsection (2); or(b) where information or a document that is referred to in subsection (2)is not disclosed by the Commissioner,may apply to the High Court for an order requiring the Commissioner todisclose such information or document and the High Court may on such anapplication make such order for disclosure as it deems fit.(4) An application under subsection (3) may be begun by motion withprevious notice to the Commissioner.(Added, 2 of 1987, s. 2)17. Offences of obstruction and disclosure of information.(1) Without prejudice to any other Ordinance, any person who--(a) willfully obstructs an authorized officer in the exercise of hispowers or the performance of hisduties under this Ordinance;(b) willfully fails to comply with any requirement properly made to him byany such authorized officer; or(c) without reasonable excuse fails to give such authorized officer anyother assistance or information which the authorized officer mayreasonably require of him for the purpose of the performance of theofficer's functions under this Ordinance, (Amended, L. N. 65/86)commits and offence.(2) Subject to subsection (2A), any person who discloses to any otherperson--(Amended, 2 of 1987, s. 3)(a) any information with respect to any manufacturing process or tradesecret obtained by him in premises which he has entered by virtue of thisOrdinance; or(b) any information obtained by him in pursuance of this Ordinance,commits an offence unless the disclosure was made--(i) in or for the purpose of the performance by him or any other person offunctions under this Ordinance; or(ii) in the case of paragraph (b) under the direction or order of a court.(2A) A person does not commit an offence under subsection (2) bydisclosing information under section 16C (1) or (2) or under an order ofthe High Court made under section 16C (3). (Added, 2 of 1987, s. 3)
(3) Any person who, in giving any such information as is referred to insubsection (1) (c), makes any statement which he knows to be false commitsan offence.(4) Subject to subsection (5), nothing in this section shall be taken to--(a) require a person to answer any question or give any information if todo so might incriminate that person or the wife or husband of that person;or(b) compel the production by a solicitor of a document containing aprivileged communication made by or to him in that capacity or authorizethe seizure of any such document in his possession.(5) A person shall not be excused, by reason that to do so may incriminatethat person or the wife or husband of that person of an offence under thisOrdinance--(a) from answering any question put to that person in any civilproceedings;(b) from complying with any order made in any such proceedings, but nostatement or admission made by a person in answering a question put orcomplying with an order made shall, in proceedings for an offence underthis Ordinance,be admissible in evidence against that person or (unlessthey married after the making of the statement or admission) against thewife or husband of that person. (Amended, L. N. 123/82)18. Penalties.(1) Any person who commits an offence under section 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11 or12 shall be liable--(a) on conviction on indictment, to a fine of $500,000 and to imprisonmentfor 5 years; and(b) on summary conviction, to a fine of $100,000 and to imprisonment for 2years.(1A) Any person who commits an offence under section 16A (3) shall beliable to a fine of $5,000 and to imprisonment for 3 months. (Added, 2 of1987, s. 4)(2) Any person who commits an offence under section 17 shall be liable toa fine of $10,000 and to imprisonment for 1 year.19. Time limit for prosecutions.No prosecution for an offence under this Ordinance shall be brought after-(a) the expiration of 3 years from the date of commission of the offence;or(b) the expiration of 1 year from the date of discovery of the offence bythe prosecutor, whichever is the earlier.20. Offences by corporations.Where a body corporate is convicted of an offence under this Ordinance,every person who, at the time of the commission of the offence, was adirector, manager, secretary or other similar officer of the bodycorporate, or any person who was purporting to act in any such capacity,shall be deemed to be guilty of that offence unless he proves that theoffence was committed without his knowledge, or that he exercised all duediligence toprevent the commission of the offence.21. Offences due to fault of other person.Where the commission by any person of an offence under this Ordinance isdue to the act or default of some other person, that other person shall beguilty of the offence, and a person may be charged with and convicted oftheoffence by virtue of this section whether or not proceedings are takenagainst the first-mentioned person.
22. Accessory to offences committed outside Hong Kong.Subject to the provisions of this Ordinance, any person who, in Hong Kong,procures, counsels, aids, abets or is accessory to the commission outsideHong Kong of an act which, if committed in Hong Kong, would be an offenceunder this Ordinance, commits that offence as a principal and shall beliable to be prosecuted in Hong Kong as if the offence had been committedwithin Hong Kong.23. Samples.(1) Where any act or omission constitutes both an offence under thisOrdinance and an offence under the Public Health and Municipal ServicesOrdinance (Cap, 132.), evidence on behalf of the prosecution concerningany sample procured for analysis shall be admissible in proceedings inrespect of the offence under this Ordinance if, but only if, theprovisions of section 63 of the Public Health and Municipal ServicesOrdinance havebeen complied with. (Amended, 10 of 1986, s. 32)(2) The Governor in Council may by regulations provide that in anyproceedings for an offence under this Ordinance in relation to such goodsas may be specified in the regulations (other than proceedings for anoffence referred to in subsection (1)) evidence on behalf of theprosecution concerning any sample procured for analysis shall not beadmissible unless the sample has been dealt with in such manner as may bespecified in the regulations.24. Evidence by certificate.(1) The Governor in Council may by regulations provide that certificatesissued by such persons as may be specified by the regulations in relationto such matters as may be so specified shall, subject to this section, bereceived in evidence of those matters in any proceedings under thisOrdinance.(2) Such a certificate shall not be received in evidence--(a) unless the party against whom it is to be given in evidence has beenserved with a copy thereof not less than 7 days before the hearing; or(b) if that party has, not less than 3 days before the hearing served onthe other party a notice requiring the attendance of the person issuingthe certificate.(3) For the purposes of this section any document purporting to be such acertificate as is referred to in this section shall be deemed to be such acertificate unless the contrary is shown.24A. Rule of evidence regarding imported goods with false tradedescription. In any prosecution for an offenceunder this Ordinance inrespect of the import of goods to which a false trade description of theplace or country of manufacture, production, processing or reconditioningis applied, evidence that the goods were imported from a place or countryshall be prima facie evidence that the goods were manufactured, produced,processed or reconditioned, as the case may be, in such place or country.(Added, 2 of 1987, s. 5)25. Description of trade mark in pleading.In any information, indictment, pleading, proceeding or document in whichany trade mark or forged trade mark is intended to be mentioned, it shallbesufficient, without further description and without any copy orfacsimile, to state that trade mark or forged trade mark to be a trademark orforged trade mark.
26. Defence mistake, accident, etc.(1) In any proceedings for an offence under this Ordinance it shall,subject to subsection (2), be a defence for the person charged to prove--(a) that the commission of the offence was due to a mistake or to relianceon information supplied to him or to the act or default of another person,an accident or some other cause beyond his control; and(b) that he took all reasonable precautions and exercised all duediligence to avoid the commission of such an offence by himself or anyperson under his control.(2) If in any case the defence provided by subsection (1) involves theallegation that the commission of the offence was due to the act ordefault of another person or to reliance on information supplied byanother person, the person charged shall not, without leave of the court,be entitled to rely on that defence unless, within a period ending 7 cleardays before the hearing, he has served on the prosecutor a notice inwriting giving such information identifying or assisting in theidentification of that other person as was then in his possession.(3) In any proceedings for an offence under section 7 (1) (a) (ii) or (b)it shall be a defence for the person charged to prove that he did notknow, had no reason to suspect and could not with reasonable diligencehave ascertained, that the goods did not conform to the description orthat the description had been applied to the goods.(4) In any proceedings for an offenceunder section 9 (2) it shall be adefence for the person charged to prove that he did not know, had noreason to suspect and could not with reasonable diligence haveascertained, that a forged trade mark had been applied to the goods orthat a trade mark or mark so nearly resembling atrade mark as to becalculated to deceive had falsely been applied to the goods.27. Innocent publication of advertisements.In proceedings for an offence under this Ordinance committed by thepublication of an advertisement, it shall be a defence for the personcharged to prove that he is a person whose business it is to publish orarrange for the publication of advertisements and that he received theadvertisement for publication in theordinary course of business and didnot know and had no reason to suspect that its publication would amount toan offence under this Ordinance.28. Costsin proceedings.In any proceedings under this Ordinance, the magistrate or court hearingthe proceedings may, notwithstanding any provision of any otherOrdinance,make such order as to costs as he or it may think fit.29. Power to make orders with respect to property in possession of theCrown.Where any property has come into the possession of the Crown or anyauthorized officer acting under this Ordinance, section 102 of theCriminal Procedure Ordinance (Cap. 221) shall, subject to this Ordinance,apply to such property in all respects as though such property had comeinto the possession of the police in connection with a criminal offenceand such section shall be construed as though references to the Crown orsuch authorized officer, as the case may be, were substituted therein forreferences to the police.
30. Forfeiture and disposal of certain goods.(1) Any goods in respect of which an offence under this Ordinance has beencommitted shall be liable to forfeiture, whether or not any person hasbeen convicted of any such offence.(2) Where goods are seized or detained by an authorized officer undersection 15, the Commissioner may at any time release such goods to theperson who appears to him to be the owner thereof or his authorized agentsubject to any such condition as the Commissioner may specify in writing.(3) Where goods have not been released under subsection (2), theCommissioner may, whether in the same proceedings where an offence isprosecuted or in other proceedings under this Ordinance, apply to a courtor magistratefor the forfeiture of the goods.(4) If, on the hearing of an application under subsection (3), the courtor magistrate is satisfied that the goods are liable to forfeiture, thecourt or magistrate may order that--(a) the goods be forfeited to the Crown;(b) the goods be destroyed;(c) any false trade description or forged trade mark applied to the goodsbe obliterated and thereafter the goods be disposed of in such manner andsubject to any such condition as the court or magistrate may specify inthe order; or(d) any false trade description or forged trade mark applied to the goodsbe obliterated and thereafter the goods be released to the owner thereofor his authorized agent subject to any condition which the court ormagistrate may specify in the order.(5) Where under subsection (3) an application is made to a court ormagistrate for the forfeiture of goods otherwise than in proceedings wherean offence is prosecuted, the Commissioner shall forthwith notify inwriting the owner of the goods or his authorized agent, unless the owneror his authorized agent has indicated in writing to the Commissioner thatsuch notification is not required:Provided that, if there is more than one owner of the goods, it shall besufficient for the purposes of this subsection to give notice to one suchowner or his authorized agent, unless one such owner or his authorizedagent has indicated that such notification is not required.(Replaced, 2 of 1987, s. 6)31. [Repealed, 2 of 1987, s. 6]
PART IV MISCELLANEOUS
32. Trade marks containing trade descriptions.The fact that a trade description is a trade mark, or part of a trademark, does not prevent itfrom being a false trade description whenapplied to any goods, except where the following conditions are satisfied,that is to say--(a) that it could have been lawfully applied to the goods if thisOrdinance had not been enacted;(b) that the trade mark as applied is used to indicate such aconnectionbetween the goods and the proprietor of the trade mark or a personregistered under section 58 of the Trade Marks Ordinance (Cap. 43)as aregistered user of the trade mark; and(c) that the person who is the proprietor of the trade mark is the sameperson as, or a successor in title of, the proprietor on the commencementof this Ordinance.
33. Definition Orders.Where it appears to the Governor in Council--(a) that it would be in the interest of persons to whom any goods aresupplied; or(b) that it would be in the interest of persons by whom any goods areexported and would not be contrary to the interest of persons to whom suchgoods are supplied in Hong Kong, that any expressions used in relation tothe goods should be understood as having definite meanings, the Governorin Council may by regulations assign such meanings either--(i) to those expressions when used in the course of a trade or businessas, or as part of, a trade description applied to the goods; or(ii) to those expressions when so used in such circumstances as may bespecified in the regulations,and where such a meaning is so assigned to an expression, it shall bedeemed for the purposes of this Ordinance to have that meaning when usedas referred to in paragraph (i) or, as the case may be, paragraph (ii) ofthis section.34. Saving for civil rights.A contract for the supply of any goods shall not be void or unenforceableby reason only of a contravention of any provision of this Ordinance.35. Compensation for loss of goods seized under section 15 (1) (f).(1) Where any goods are seized or detained by an authorized officer undersection 15 the Government shall, subject to this section, be liable tocompensate the owner of the goods for any loss suffered by him by reasonof the seizure or detention thereof or by reason that the goods, duringthe detention, are lost or damaged or deteriorate; but the owner shall notbe entitled to compensation for any such loss if--(a) the goods are forfeited;(b) he is convicted of an offence under this Ordinance committed inrelation to the goods; or(c) an order has been made in respect of the goods under section 30 (4).(Amended, 2 of 1987, s. 7)(2) In any proceedings against the Government in respect of a claim forcompensation on any of the grounds referred to in subsection (1),the amount of the compensation recoverable shall be such amount as is justand equitable in all the circumstances of the case, including the conductand comparative blameworthiness of--(a) the owner of the goods;(b) the person in charge or control of the goods at the time they wereseized;(c) the agents of the person specified in paragraphs (a) and (b); and(d) authorized officers, public officers and other persons concerned.(3) Noproceedings shall be maintainable in respect of any claim forcompensation on any of the grounds referred to in subsection (1) unlessthe proceedings are commenced--(a) in the case of a claim for compensation in respect of goods releasedto their owner by order of a court or magistrate or by anyperson havingauthority to release the goods to him, not later than 6 months after therelease thereof;(b) in the case of a claim for compensation on the ground that any goodswere lost during the detention thereof, not later than 6 months after--(i) the discovery by the owner of the existence of such ground; or(ii) the date on which the owner could, by the exercise of reasonablediligence, have discovered the existence of such ground,whichever is the earlier.
