REDIFFUSION (HONG KONG) LIMITED
THE RELAY OF BROADCAST PROGRAMMES
In the 12 years since the Copyright Act 1956
("the Act") came into force it has never been necessary to
consider the functions of relay operators otherwise than in
the United Kingdom since virtually none of the countries to
which the Act has been extended to date has had any relay
systems. Now that the time has arrived when extension to
Hong Kong is contemplated the position is quite different since,
in Hong Kong, relay is already in operation and preparations are
in hand for expanding it.
2.
It is apparent that there is a misunderstanding, which
may be very widespread, as to what constitutes a relay of a sound
or television broadcast. The primary purpose of this paper is,
therefore, to explain that relay, in its essence, involves giving
the producers of broadcasts a wider audience with, it is to be hoped,
better reception and listeners and viewers a wider choice of programmes
with, again, it is to be hoped, better reception.
3. This is of some importance because this misunderstanding
clearly takes the form, in some quarters, of a mistaken belief that the
relay operator is in some way stealing or misappropriating the programmes
of wireless sound and television stations and unfairly using them to his
own advantage. This is completely wrong. In fact the relay of a
wireless station's programmes can only be beneficial to the wireless
station itself.
4. The function of a relay operator is to offer the public a
means of receiving sound or television signals transmitted through the
ether by a duly licensed broadcasting station. In practice a relay
operator is simply a purveyor of aerial reception facilities.
1.
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