TNAG-2300-FCO40-3328-Chinese-copyright-law-implications-for-Hong-Kong-1991 — Page 11

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ARRANGEMENTS WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO MAKE WITH THE PRC COULD TAKE

THIS INTO ACCOUNT UNTIL SUCH TIME AS HONG KONG'S COPYRIGHT REGIME

IS BROUGHT UP-TO-DATE BY THE LOCALISED LEGISLATION.

5. OUR DIRECTOR OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY IS EXPECTING AN OFFICIAL INVITATION TO VISIT BEIJING IN OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 1991, DURING WHICH SHE WOULD MEET HER COUNTERPART IN THE COPYRIGHT OFFICE. WE

INTEND TO USE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO PROBE CHINESE INTENTIONS VIS-A-

VIS RECIPROCITY IN COPYRIGHT PROTECTION WITH HONG KONG. WE ARE

CONSCIOUS THAT THIS SUBJECT INVOLVES BOTH LOCALISATION OF LAWS

AND IROS, AND AS SUCH IT WILL IN DUE COURSE BE INCLUDED ON THE JLG AGENDA. THE DISCUSSIONS WHICH THE DIRECTOR OF INTELLECTUAL

PROPERTY WILL HAVE IN BEIJING WILL THEREFORE BE PURELY EXPLORATORY, AND WILL NOT PREJUDICE THE DISCUSSIONS WHICH WE WILL

NEED TO HAVE WITH THE CHINESE AT A LATER STAGE IN THE JLG. WE ARE

KEEPING UKREP JLG FULLY INFORMED OF DEVELOPMENTS.

6. A DIRECTOR OF THE STATE COPYRIGHT BUREAU OF THE PRC NATIONAL COPYRIGHT ADMINISTRATION, MR SHEN RENGAN, WHILE ATTENDING A SEMINAR IN HONG KONG, GAVE A PRESS BRIEFING ON 14 AUGUST 1991 AND SAID THAT PRC EXPECTED TO JOIN BERNE IN TWO OR THREE YEAR'S TIME.

HOWEVER IT IS STILL DIFFICULT TO ESTIMATE HOW LONG THIS WILL TAKE

GIVEN THE GAP IN PROTECTION STANDARDS AND CHINESE DOMESTIC

POLITICKING DURING THE DRAFTING AND PASSAGE OF THE COPYRIGHT LAW.

ANY FURTHER INFORMATION YOU MAY HAVE ON THIS FRONT WOULD BE

WELCOME. WE WOULD ALSO BE GRATEFUL IF YOU WOULD KEEP US INFORMED

IN YOUR BILATERAL TALKS WITH THE CHINESE

OF PROGRESS

FORD

YYYY

ΜΑΙΝ

60

.HONG KONG AGREEMENT

.(RESTRICTED)

LIMITED

HKD

HD/FED

NEWS D

PLANNERS

DISTRIBUTION

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PUSD

RAD

PS/LORD CAITHNESS

PS/MR LENNOX-BOYD

SIR J COLES

MR BURNS

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