Friday, December 29, 1972
10
-
WIDE POWERS FOR POLICE TO PROBE COPYRIGHT OFFENCES
Copyright Bill 1973 Published
A new Bill will soon be introduced to the Legislative Council
to give palice and other authorised officers wide powers to investigate
suspected offences under the new copyright legislation.
Government announced last week that the United Kingdom Copyright
Act, 1956 would be applied to Hong Kong from January 1 next year.
A Government spokesman said today that the new Bill, the Copyright
Bill 1973, would modify the U.K. Act and would give police and other
officers authorised by the Director of Commerce and Industry wide investigating
powers.
"Copyright in many articles used or sold in Hong Kong is owned
by persons resident outside Hong Kong, and the Bill provides for the use
of sworn statements (affidavits) which may be produced in court to establish
the ownership of the copyright in any article," the spokesman added.
The U.K. copyright Act and the new Bill will provide more
adequate protection to original works such as recordings, tape recordings,
books, literary and artistic works as well as industrial designs.
/11