"However, in April this year, when the issue of the protection of intellectual property rights arose, it was noted that the showing of videos in penal institutions might infringe on copyright. CSD has since suspended the practice and is seeking clarification on how to obtain licences for video shows within the terms of copyright laws. In the meantime, arrangements have been made made by welfare officers to tape TV programmes to show to inmates.
"However, a few inmates were not satisfied with this arrangement and had through a solicitors' firm sought to re-instate the showing of videos to them. An offer has been made by a video store to provide videos for screening to the group, and this has been rejected.
"It would contravene the principle of equal treatment, under which Hong Kong's penal system operates, if certain prisoners were to be accorded privileges not available to others.
"Even if the offer was extended to all 13,000 inmates, it could not be accepted as the issue of copyright protection still has to be sorted out.
"However, the department would instruct institutional management to resume video screening if they wish, once the licensing issue has been resolved."
End/Monday, September 4, 1995.
Listing of Mai Po as Ramsar site
Mai Po and Inner Deep Bay has been listed as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention (Ramsar site).
The Hong Kong Government is committed to conservation and will contribute to a world-wide effort to conserve wetlands of significant ecological, scientific and recreational value.
The approval to list Mai Po as a Ramsar site by the Governor-in-Council was publicised in March. Upon the Hong Kong Government's request, the British Government has notified the Ramsar Bureau of the decision.
A government spokesman said today (Monday) the listing is another major step forward in conserving the Mai Po Marshes as a nature reserve and in protecting it against incompatible development.