TNAG-0265-FCO40-301-Legislation-for-copyright-in-Hong-Kong-1970 — Page 127

CONFIDENTIAL

to reach any firm conclusion as to the relative

validity of the arguments at (a) and (b) above.

5. If further consultations, in the light of

experience during the period 1967-1970, were to

convince the two parties that RTV's ideas had

something in them for both sides and if, as a

result, TVB agreed not to press for the legis-

lation aimed at RTV, it seems to me that in

return RTV might well be ready to concede the

case on aerials. This would make it possible

for TVB (or anyone else duly licensed for the

purpose) to erect and use ADS aerials as and

when necessary. Would you agree that it was

worthwhile to try and cut the Gordian knot by

getting the two sides together, perhaps under

Government chairmanship?

agreement and hence to there being no need to

include in your local legislation the conten-

tious clauses at present envisaged; and if in

consequence

then

If this led to

Barliamentary obstruction here was

unlikely this would be an excellent outcome:

Agreement between the parties would clear the

way for the full introduction of the Order in

Council and consequently for the extension of

the UK Copyright Act of 1956 to Hong Kong, for

which the Board of Trade, and others and not

least yourselves, have long been pressing.

6. In any event I think we are all agreed on

the pressing need to bring Hong Kong's copy-

right law up to date by the extension to the

Colony of the 1956 Act. Unless, therefore,

you feel confident that a satisfactory compro-

mise can be reached without undue delay, as

between RTV and TVB, we should like to revert

to our earlier suggestion (paragraph 7 of

Commonwealth Office Saving Despatch No. 479 of

CONFIDENTIAL

/5 August...

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She

HWB. 16/6 Part B.

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