Government accords high priority to software asset management
08 - 03 - 2001

The Government accords high priority to the proper management and use of computer software among all aspects of intellectual property rights protection.

With a view to nurturing a healthy growth of the local software industry and developing Hong Kong as a focal working place for innovative people, the Government has implemented measures to ensure proper management of software assets.

Speaking in a seminar on Intellectual Property (Miscellaneous Amendments) Ordinance 2000 today (March 8), the Acting Director of Information Technology Services, Mr Cheng Yan-chee, said that the Government was committed to protecting intellectual property and proper management of software assets was not a new initiative in the Government.

Mr Cheng said, "Since 1990, the Government has issued guidelines on managing software in microcomputers."

"We set a good example in the protection of intellectual property rights through proper Software Asset Management (SAM)."

SAM is a set of policies, procedures, technologies and culture for enabling an organisation to fully utilise all of its software assets.

"The main objective of the Government to implement the SAM is to ensure that only authorised computer software is used," he said.

Mr Cheng noted that SAM was an on-going process, and the Government had taken a decentralised approach to manage the SAM.

"In this mode of operation, heads of bureaux and departments are responsible for the proper management and use of computer software within their respective bureaux or departments to ensure that no unauthorised software is used," said Mr Cheng.

"Additionally, the Information Technology Services Department (ITSD) advises bureaux and departments on the use of information technology, while the Intellectual Property Department (IPD) provides support to government bureaux and departments on matters relating to computer software intellectual property," he added.

To further assist bureaux and departments in managing their software assets properly, Mr Cheng said that the ITSD had set up an SAM Programme Office to co-ordinate and provide assistance on the implementation of SAM in Government.

The IPD has also launched the Intellectual Property Compliance Officer Scheme.

Under the scheme, at least one officer in each bureau or department is appointed as a Compliance Officer and is trained to monitor computer equipment and activities at all levels of their respective bureaux or departments for intellectual property compliance.

The Compliance Officers are also involved in the management of software assets, including maintaining the software inventory record and carrying out software audits to ensure that the software is licensed and is being used in accordance with the licence conditions.

Mr Cheng said, "We have taken measures for the proper management and use of software which cover prevention, education, technical support, monitoring and action against violation."

On prevention, heads of bureaux and departments are required to promulgate their internal departmental instructions on the proper management and use of computer software, and to regularly remind staff members to comply with the requirements.

On education, the Compliance Officers and government computer users are provided with general training, seminars and booklets to enhance their knowledge on intellectual property protection.

As to technical support, advice and assistance on the implementation of the SAM practices and issuance of the SAM guidelines are rendered to the bureaux and departments by the ITSD.

The Government also requires all bureaux and departments to maintain up-to-date records of their software inventory and to conduct periodic reviews and audits of the software assets.

Currently, the SAM Programme Office of the ITSD is closely monitoring the progress of the implementation of the SAM in bureaux and departments through regular surveys.

If violations of or non-compliances with the guidelines concerning the use of computer software are found, bureaux and departments are advised to take positive and firm action, and to remove the unauthorised software from the computers concerned immediately.

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