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These initiatives include increased manpower resources in the Hong Kong Customs devoted to IPR enforcement, increased raids conducted by the Hong Kong Customs, strengthening co-operation with the relevant IPR enforcement authorities in Mainland China, new provisions in the Copyright Bill to facilitate enforcement and to clarify some of the evidentiary requirements, and convictions made at the district court level against copyright piracy offenders.
A spokesman for the Trade and Industry Branch said today (Wednesday): "The Hong Kong Government remains totally committed and determined to do our utmost to put in place the best IPR regime and to enforce the regime robustly.
"We will persist with our anti-piracy efforts under the rule of law in Hong Kong. We will continue to work with copyright owners from the US and other countries and seck their support, such as testifying in Hong Kong courts of law.
"We are, however, very disappointed to see remarks in the Report claiming that government action has had little demonstrable impact.
"We have taken vigorous enforcement action against copyright piracy activities at the importation, storage, distribution and retail level. Compared with 1995, the quantity and value of seizures in connection with copyright offences in 1996 have increased by 186% and 22% respectively. In 1996, 144 persons have been imprisoned compared with only 18 in 1995.
""The Hong Kong Customs will continue to take vigorous enforcement action to combat copyright piracy.
"However, our enforcement action can succeed only to the extent that we have the full co-operation from right-holders in bringing evidence to court. Whilst major copyright owners have been helpful, there are others who are unwilling to come forward and give evidence. Their products unfortunately feature on shop shelves."
To address this specific problem, the spokesman said the Government has proposed in the Copyright Bill a number of new legislative measures, including -
(a)
(b)
provisions to enable Hong Kong Customs to exercise power of forfeiture over suspected pirated copyright products seized;
provisions to enhance Hong Kong Customs enforcement capability, to facilitate better co-operation with copyright owners, and to facilitate exchange of information with enforcement authorities of other countries; and