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The Government will hold a public discussion forum on Saturday (February 3), particularly for young people, to express views on issues related to copyright protection in the digital environment. The Administration released a public consultation document on the subject in December, 2006.
The forum will be held from 10am to noon. The Director of Intellectual Property, Mr Stephen Selby, and the Deputy Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology (Commerce and Industry), Mr Christopher Wong, will speak on issues covered in the consultation document.
Distinguished guest speakers who have been invited to join the forum as panelists include: Mr John Yan, Senior Counsel; the Chairman of the Internet Society Hong Kong, Mr Charles Mok; Associate Professor in Law, University of Hong Kong Professor Alice Lee, the Spokesman of the Ad Hoc Group of the Film Industry, Mr John Chong; Chief Executive Officer of IFPI (Hong Kong Group) Limited Mr Ricky Fung; a Member of the Steering Committee of the Hong Kong and International Publishers' Alliance Dr Elvin Lee; the Secretary of the Hong Kong Internet Service Providers Association Mr Ben Li, and General Counsel of the Hong Kong Cable Television Limited Mr Desmond Chan.
Those interested in participating in the discussion may do so by tuning in to the live webcast of the forum and communicating with the panelists through emails to forum@citb.gov.hk. The live webcast of the forum is available on Radio Television Hong Kong's Teen Power (www.teenpower.rthk.org.hk) and the Government's website (webcast.info.gov.hk). The essence of the discussion forum will be broadcast by RTHK2 on the same day at 7.15pm-8pm during the radio program "e-World".
A Commerce, Industry and Technology Bureau spokesman said the purpose of releasing the consultation document was to seek public views on whether, and if so, how the existing legislative framework should be improved for more effective copyright protection in the digital environment. Major issues covered in the document included the legal liability for unauthorised uploading and downloading of copyright works, the role of online service providers in combating Internet piracy, and measures to facilitate copyright owners to take civil actions against online infringement, etc.
"Issues raised in the consultation document are complicated and carry wide social implications," the spokesman said. "The Government has an open mind on how the issues should be handled. We will carefully consider the views received before deciding the way forward."
People may send in their views direct by email to co_review@citb.gov.hk, by fax to 2869 4420, or by post to Level 29, One Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Hong Kong, for the attention of Commerce and Industry Branch, Commerce, Industry and Technology Bureau.
The consultation document may be downloaded from the website www.citb.gov.hk/cib. Copies of the consultation document are also available at District Offices. The consultation exercise will end on April 30, 2007.
Ends/Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Issued at HKT 15:56
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