TNAG-2128-FCO40-3042-Copyright-(Taiwan)-Order-1985-extension-to-Hong-Kong-1990 — Page 11

For information on 19 June 1990

HKC 124 / 1

CONFIDENTIAL

XCCI (90)30 z

Copy No.

20

NOTE FOR EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

IS EXTENSION OF COPYRIGHT PROTECTION TO

TAIWAN UNDER SECTION 32 OF THE UK COPYRIGHT ACT 1956

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1571

INTRODUCTION

This memorandum informs Members extension of copyright protection to Taiwan.

Ра

of progress on the

BACKGROUND

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On 28 November 1989, Members considered memorandum XCC (89) 156 which stated that, since August 1989, the Taiwanese authorities had denied copyright registration of Hong Kong works for lack of reciprocal copyright protection. It was estimated that as а result local copyright interests would suffer an annual financial loss of over $400 million.

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Members ADVISED and the Governor ORDERED that the UK Government should be requested to extend the UK Copyright (Taiwan) Order 1985 to Hong Kong to provide reciprocal copyright protection to Taiwanese works.

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L.N.

In response to the request, the FCO advised that the 1985 Order had in fact been revoked as a result of the UK Copyright (Application to Other Countries) Order 1989. As an alternative, an Order in Council (the Copyright (Hong Kong) (Amendment) Order 1990,

162 of 1990) has been made, extending section 32 of the UK Copyright Act 1956 to Hong Kong. The Order, which came into force on 12 April 1990, gives the Governor power to make orders applying protection under the Copyright Act 1956 to any country or territory.

The Order

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Under the powers vested in the Governor, an Order was made on 7 June 1990 to accord reciprocal copyright protection to Taiwanese works. A copy is annexed. It will be gazetted on 29 June 1990 and will come into force on 1 August 1990.

CONFIDENTIAL