XN000022-1972-07-05 — Page 6

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Wednesday, July 5, 1972

MOVES MADE FOR MORE COMPREHENSIVE COPYRIGHT LAWS

The Attorney General, the Hon. D.T.E. Roberts, said today a draft

Order in Legislative Council seeking to apply Britain's Copyright Act of

1956 to Hong Kong with suitable modifications had been prepared and would be

submitted to the Secretary of State in the near future.

He said if the 1956 Act was so applied and an Ordinance containing

some necessary supplementary matters was enacted, the phonographic industry

in Hong Kong would enjoy adequate protection in law.

Mr. Roberts was speaking in the Legislative Council in reply to a

question by the Hon. P.C. Woo.

Mr. Woo had asked: "Is the Government aware that the International

Federation of the Phonographic Industry passed a resolution on May 26, 1972,

noting the growth of record piracy in Hong Kong and appealing for the necessary

legislation to remedy the same; and will Government say whether such legislation

is necessary in Hong Kong?"

The Attorney General said Government was aware of the resolution, and

substantial protection of copyright in records and tapes was already given by

the Copyright Act, 1911, which had been applied to Hong Kong,, and the Copyright

Ordinance.

He said the Copyright Act, 1956 provides a more comprehensive protection,

but it is not yet applicable here.

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