VIEWS SOUGHT ON COPYRIGHT REGIME

The Government today launched a two-month public consultation on the proposed subsidiary legislation under the Copyright Ordinance.

The subsidiary legislation aims to specify libraries, museums and archives, and prescribe conditions for certain permitted acts for use of copyright works under the ordinance.

With the Copyright (Amendment) Ordinance 2022 coming into effect on May 1, 2023, the ordinance in force provides strengthened copyright protection in the digital environment while maintaining a balance between copyright protection and reasonable use of copyright works.

Among others, the amendment ordinance has introduced new and expanded permitted acts to facilitate reasonable daily operations of specified libraries, museums and archives conducive to research, private study as well as knowledge preservation and dissemination.

The existing Copyright (Libraries) Regulations, which govern the relevant permitted acts under the ordinance, are therefore in need of an update.

The Commerce & Economic Development Bureau noted that Hong Kong's copyright regime includes various permitted acts of reasonable use of copyright works by different sectors covering libraries, museums, archives, etc.

It explained that to enable specified libraries, museums and archives to effectively utilise these permitted acts under the ordinance while fulfilling their roles in cultural heritage preservation and conservation, it is essential to provide them with a set of clear and up-to-date statutory framework for compliance in appropriate circumstances.

The bureau added that the Government proposes enacting two pieces of new subsidiary legislation under a section of the ordinance to replace the existing one.

The public can submit their views on or before April 15 by email, fax (2147 3065) or post to Division 3, Commerce & Economic Development Bureau on 23/F, West Wing, Central Government Offices, 2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar.

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