XN000022-1994-02-02 — Page 39

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1994

COPYRIGHT PROTECTION FOR SUBSCRIPTION TV SERVICE PROPOSED

A BILL THAT SEEKS TO PROVIDE COPYRIGHT PROTECTION FOR THE WHARF CABLE'S SUBSCRIPTION TELEVISION SERVICE PENDING THE ENACTMENT OF AN OMNIBUS COPYRIGHT LEGISLATION WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

THE SECOND READING OF THE COPYRIGHT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1994 WAS MOVED BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR PAUL S W LEUNG.

HE SAID THE BILL WAS INTENDED TO INTRODUCE A REGIME FOLLOWING CLOSELY WHAT WAS INTRODUCED IN THE UNITED KINGDOM BY THE CABLE AND BROADCASTING ACT 1984, MAKING NECESSARY AMENDMENTS ONLY WHERE THEY WERE REQUIRED TO SUIT THE SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES OF HONG KONG.

"THE BILL WOULD ACHIEVE LARGELY THE SAME PURPOSE AS WOULD BEEN ACCOMPLISHED IF THE 1984 ACT WERE TO BE EXTENDED TO HONG KONG AN ORDER IN THE PRIVY COUNCIL AS ORIGINALLY ENVISAGED, HE SAID.

HAVE BY

HOWEVER, MR LEUNG EMPHASISED THAT THE BILL WOULD NOT AFFECT THE FINAL SHAPE OF THE OMNIBUS LOCALISED COPYRIGHT LEGISLATION INTENDED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN DUE COURSE.

THE PROPOSED BILL INCORPORATES INTO HONG KONG COPYRIGHT LAW PROVISIONS OF THE 1984 ACT CONCERNING COPYRIGHT IN CABLE PROGRAMMES; INCLUSION OF COPYRIGHT WORKS IN CABLE PROGRAMMES; THE RIGHT OF CABLE OPERATORS

SIMULTANEOUSLY RE-TRANSMIT COPYRIGHT

WORKS, INCLUDING BROADCASTS, IN THEIR SERVICES; AND MINOR AND CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS TO THE COPYRIGHT ORDINANCE.

IN

THE INTERESTS OF TELEVISION VIEWERS WILL ALSO BE PROTECTED THE EXISTING RIGHTS OF NON-SUBSCRIBERS TO WHARF CABLE'S SERVICE WILL BE PRESERVED.

THAT

THESE NON-SUBSCRIBERS MAY CONTINUE ΤΟ RECEIVE TVB, ATV AND SATELLITE BROADCASTS THROUGH COMMUNAL AERIAL BROADCAST DISTRIBUTION OR SATELLITE MASTER ANTENNA TELEVISION SYSTEMS, OR BROADCAST RELAY SERVICES CURRENTLY OPERATED BY REDIFFUSION (HONG KONG) LTD.

IN ADDITION, THE BILL PROVIDES CONSUMER CONVENIENCE TO WHARF CABLE'S SUBSCRIBERS SO THAT THEY MAY SELECT TVB/ATV AND WHARF CABLE PROGRAMMES FROM A SINGLE DECODER AND THEREFORE THERE IS NO NEED. · FOR DUPLICATE ENTRY CABLES INTO THEIR HOMES.

DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.

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