TNAG-0086-FCO40-122-Copyright-legislation-1968 — Page 36

FCO40 Hong Kong Department Records 聯邦事務部香港部檔案 All

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involved namely that in the broadcast itself and that in the work

broadcast.

It is not a restricted act to relay such a broadcast and,

therefore, no licence is necessary to do so.

It is a restricted act to relay a literary, dramatic musical

However, the Act, in effect,

or artistic work or film but not a record and, therefore, a licence to

do so is, prima facie, necessary.

relieves the relay operator from obtaining such a licence by giving him

a statutory defence if the broadcast is authorised and by preventing

proceedings against him if the broadcast is unauthorised.

Therefore, where a B.B.C. or I.T.A. broadcast is relayed in this

country it is not necessary for the relay operator to obtain any licence,

either in respect of the broadcast itself or in respect of the work

broadcast.

2. Relaying of broadcasts in Hong Kong.

(i)

By virtue of a saving clause in the Act, the present copyright

law in Hong Kong is the Imperial Copyright Act 1911 with local

variations.

(ii)

Under Section 31 of the Act Her Majesty may, by Order in Council,

extend the provisions of the Act, with such exceptions and modifications

as may be specified in the Order, to Hong Kong.

(iii)

When so extended the Act becomes the copyright law of Hong Kong,

subject to any local amendments.

(iv)

Section 31(3) of the Act gives the legislature of Hong Kong

certain limited powers to modify or add to the Act as so extended, in its

operation as part of the law of Hong Kong. Thus, unless they relate to

procedure and remedies such modifications and additions can only be made

in respect of Hong Kong works or subject matters and, in any event,

only if they are necessary to adapt the provisions of the Act to the

circumstances of Hong Kong.

(v)

The powers given by Section 31(3) to the legislature of a country

to amend the Act only arise if and when Section 31(3) has been extended to

that country by the relevant Order in Council. No Order in Council has

4.

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