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"Copyright protects original literary works (such as books, magazines, newspapers and computer software), musical works, dramatic works and artistic works (including technical drawings and photographs). Copyright also protects sound recordings (such as compact discs and cassette tapes), films (including videos, video compact discs (VCDs), published editions, wireless broadcasts and cable programmes).
"With an effective copyright regime, the achievements and the lawful rights and interests of the authors will be protected. Creativity and international trade, which are crucial to the prosperity of Hong Kong, will be encouraged.
"The Government issued a draft Copyright Bill to about 100 organisations, including copyright owners and users in the relevant sectors as well as those in the professional and academic fields during a consultation exercise in November 1996. We have as far as possible incorporated the comments received into this Bill.
"We are aware of the need to ensure that copyright owners and exclusive licensees are adequately protected so that they can enjoy the full benefits of their copyright products in Hong Kong. At the same time we need to ensure that consumers of copyright products continue to enjoy access to a wide range of genuine, legal products at reasonable prices.
"The Basic Law provides that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government shall formulate its own policies on and protect by law intellectual property rights. This Copyright Bill will provide a modern, local and independent copyright regime in Hong Kong which caters for technological advances and suits local circumstances," the spokesman added.
Some of the main legislative proposals are -
A level playing-field for copyright protection worldwide - any copyright works created or published by any person anywhere in the world would qualify for protection in Hong Kong.
Additional legal tools to facilitate Hong Kong Customs' enforcement and co-operation with copyright owners and enforcement authorities in other jurisdictions.
The maintenance of customs measures at the border and a further increase in maximum penalties against pirated copyright works.