A government proposal is suggesting website operators monitor the sharing of copyrighted material on their platforms, but industry members say it is not feasible to check all the content posted by their users.
In proposed amendments to the Copyright Ordinance, the government suggests making it a crime for internet users to share copyrighted material, such as videos and sound clips, online.
A paper submitted to the Legislative Council in November said criminal sanctions should be available against those 'who initiate unauthorised communication of copyright works to the public', when it involves a business purpose or when it 'affects prejudicially the copyright owners'.
It also suggests establishing liability for operators of online services, including internet platforms, discussion boards and social networks, when content posted by their subscribers is found to violate copyright laws. Posting even a part of these materials - which cover text, graphics, videos and sound clips - can constitute an infringement.
Under the proposals, online service providers can limit their liability by taking action to deter users from engaging in unlawful activities by warning them and removing their posts if they don't comply. However, online service providers said it would be too costly to look at every message and link posted by their users. The number of such postings could reach up to a million per day, they said.
The site only allows the posting of text messages - videos or sound clips are banned. But since users can post text links to videos or sound clips on other websites, administrators need to identify them as well, Lam said.