TNAG-0265-FCO40-301-Legislation-for-copyright-in-Hong-Kong-1970 — Page 60

30.

Ministers should be aware that both

RTV and TVB are likely to contest this

issue with all the resources that they

can command. Both companies can rely

on finding support in Parliament (e.g.

when the Order in Council is laid).

RTV has already challenged the validity

of the proposed legislation in the

courts (see paragraph 14). Apart from

the financial loss that RTV may suffer,

that company no doubt sees the provision

as a most dangerous precedent that could

affect its operations in other countries

if adopted elsewhere.

31. RTV is a subsidiary company of

"

Rediffusion Limited, of which the

Chairman is Mr. J.S.Wills (who is also

Chairman of the British Electric

Traction Company and other companies)

and the Deputy Chairman is Lord Tangley.

The Company's directorship includes the

Earl of Swinton and Lord Wakefield of

Kendal. Mr. W.T. Wells, QC., MP.,

appeared for the Company in the proceedings

referred to in paragraph 14.

32. TVB is a locally controlled Hong

Kong company, the equity in which is

held by a number of different companies

in Hong Kong, America (Time/Life and the

National Broadcasting Company of America)

and in the United Kingdom (Thames

Television Company, Anglia Television

Company). Lord Shawcross wrote to the

Secretary of State last July in support

of TVB's case and it is possible that he

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