Cinema video law mooted
The Government is considering making it an offence for film-goers to possess unauthorised video recording equipment in cinemas.
Initial discussions had been held with the film industry and cinema operators, the Trade and Industry Bureau said in a paper.
Under the proposal the law would be amended to make it illegal to record or possess a recording of films being shown in cinemas, legislators were told.
Both proposals would make it easier to establish that a person was in possession of unauthorised recording equipment or an unauthorised recording of a film.
The bureau noted the merits of introducing additional laws to help combat pirating but said safeguards would have to be provided to deal with film-goers who entered cinemas in good faith with recording equipment but who were unaware of the changes.
Cinema operators might be obliged in such cases to provide storage areas for customers to deposit gear.
The Government is to hold further talks with film industry representatives.
