The International Trademark Association is due to hold its annual meeting in Hong Kong from May 10 to 14. The group's CEO, Etienne Sanz de Acedo, said it would be "the biggest trademark event in the world".

It is the first time the New York-headquartered group, known as INTA, has opted for an Asian city as its annual meeting venue, Acedo said at a meeting in Beijing last week.

"The decision was based on the growing importance of Asia, the huge impact of China on the global market, and our will to better and further interact with members in Asia and particularly China," he said.