The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Yau Tenghua held a press conference today (24th) to launch a public consultation on the update of Hong Kong's copyright system.
The government will use the 2014 Bill as the basis. The relevant legislative proposals cover five areas. Qiu mentioned that it has opened up a lot of space for the provisions. The absence of examples is because it does not want to restrict the relevant provisions and describes it as "common sense".
However, some online singers are worried about the relevant regulations.
Qinglin, an online singer who has made famous songs with his second composition, said that the copyright regulations stipulate that some users can be exempted. However, since the relevant "red line" has not been proposed, he is worried that the Hong Kong government will use the regulations to "move the dragon gate" and some works that satirize the government will be affected. The prosecution said, "Although you can do what you can do, but you can't do what you can do, plus there are no precedents, it may be me who set a precedent in the future, and I will become a precedent."
He lamented that there are very few singers and writers writing satirical works in Hong Kong in recent years. After the implementation of the regulations, he will also worry about breaking the law and reducing his creation.
"I have to worry about violating another law, and there is another law in the family, so it regulates a lot of creative inspiration."
The online singer Qinglin Qinglin is worried about the revision of the copyright regulations. He said that the relevant regulations follow the 2014 version, which has not been updated at all. Unfortunately, the political climate changes in Hong Kong in recent years have caused the public to restrict speech and reduce social trust. Although the relevant regulations stipulate exemptions for satire, imitating and current affairs comments, it is difficult to estimate the scale. In addition, there is no precedent. It is possible that I will set a precedent in the future, and I will become a precedent."
He also worried that once the regulations are implemented, some songs that satirize the government will immediately become victims. "Maybe there will be a song that satirizes Carrie Lam in the future, and he may use some methods to sue the creator. Obviously it may be comical. Imitation is not exempt."
Worry that the creator or the company will be under pressure
The Director of Intellectual Property Department Huang Fulai pointed out that the Hong Kong government will not bypass copyright owners to prosecute infringers. Qinglin does not agree with this, and is worried that the original author or the company concerned will be pressured by some party to sue the imitators.
He also said that many online writers, online singers, etc. hoped for a fair use principle, but the government still has no consideration for the exemption and feels helpless. In addition, the current social atmosphere has changed. Many online writers and singers It has been transformed, and the secondary culture on the Internet has gradually disappeared. After the revision of the copyright regulations, I believe that there are few works left. "Creations related to social culture, and there are already few people in the family who have written, I am worried that the creation has decreased. When the regulations come into effect, I will have to consider more. I may reduce my creation in the future, but I still insist on creating.”
He lamented that since the 1980s, Hong Kong has been famous in many Chinese places for its satirical culture, laughing and cursing in films and song creations. After the regulations come into effect, this cultural development in Hong Kong will be weakened. "It may be difficult to see it again in the future. Satire culture, less relaxed."
The Bureau of Commerce and Economic Affairs re-launched three exemptions for the consultation draft of the copyright amendment regulations, including parody and comment on current affairs. Qiu Tenghua said that it will restart the copyright amendment consultation. It does not rule out that the copyright amendment regulations will be added in response to the National Security Law. The consultation will be held as soon as next month. Right: Doing less is equal to losing the policy address | Secretary for Commerce and Economics Qiu Tenghua: The copyright regulations will start to consult Qiu Tenghua next month. Interviews said they intend to re-introduce the copyright amendment regulations: Intellectual property has failed to keep up with the tasks given by the state