TNAG-0086-FCO40-122-Copyright-legislation-1968 — Page 96

CYPHER/CAT-A-

CONFIDENTIAL

PRIORITY HONG KONG

TO COMMONWEALTH OFFICE

OKSA

TELEGRAM NUMBER 759

14 JUNE 1968

14 JUN

COSIDENTIAL,

COPTRIGHT LEGISLATION.

CR 4/2/44

58) YOUR CONFIDENTIAL LETTR CR.4/2/44 OF 22ND MAY REFERS. I FEEL

STRONGLY THAT IMMEDIATE CONSULTATION WITH YOU AND BOARD OF TRADE IS

NECESSARY ON GENERAL QUESTION OF WHAT MODIFICATION OF THE COPYRIGHT

ACT IS JUSTIFIED IN LOCAL CIRCUMSTANCES (TWO OF THESE BEING THE

CLEMENT COMPETITION AND R.T.V. LICENCE) AND AS TO SOLUTION WHICH

WILL BE FAIR TO BOTH R. T. V. AND H.K.T.V. 3. DISCUSSION IS ALSO

NECESSARY ON APPLICATION OF SECTION 4003). A FURTHER QUESTION IS

WHETHER MODIFICATION CAN BE MADE UNDER SECTION 31(3) OR MAY BE MADE

UNDER LETTERS PATENT POWERS SINCE THE ACT IS SILENT ON THE SUBJECT

OF COPY IGHT IN LOCAL BROADCASTS.

2. BECAUSE OF PRESSURE FROM OTHER INTERESTS (NOT TELEVISION) HAVING

STRONG CLAIM FOR EARLY PROTECTION OF THE COPYRIGHT ACT AND TO AVOID

R.T.V. ENGAGING IN FURTHER LITIGATION WHICH MAY BE UNNECESSARY, I

CONSIDER THIS TO BE A MATTER OF URGENCY.

Į

3. IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES, IF YOU AGREE, I PROPOSE TO SEND R. J.W.D.

HOBLEY, ASSISTANT TO LAW OFFICERS, TO LONDON FOR CONSULTATION WITH

YOU AND BOARD OF TRADE NEXT WEEK. IT WOULD BE APPRECIATED IF YOU

COULD ARRANGE FOR ONE OF YOUR LEGAL ADVISERS AND A REPRESENTATIVE

OF THE BOARD OF TRADE TO BE AVAILABLE FOR DISCUSSIONS FROM 24TH JUNE.

4. I SHOULD ALSO WISH OTHER OUTSTANDING POINTS TO BE DISCUSSED TO

CLEAR WAY FOR EARLY APPLICATION OF THE COPYRIGHT ACT AND ENACTMENT

LOCAL ORDINANCE,

5. AN EARLY TELEGRAPHIC REPLY IS REQUESTED.

SIR D. TRENCH

DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION

C.O. C.R.D.

H.K.D.

LEGAL ADVISER

CONFIDENTIAL