US consulate urges Hong Kong to update its copyright law to ‘foster creativity’
Spokeswoman calls for ‘active engagement’ to modernise the city’ intellectual property laws
The US consulate called for “active engagement” to modernise Hong Kong’s intellectual property laws, as the controversial copyright bill was debated in the Legislative Council today.
Pan-democrats proposed three amendments to the Copyright (Amendment) Bill 2014 – fair use, user-generated content and contract override .
Consulate spokeswoman Darragh Paradiso said the laws should better reflect the digital media environment today.
“The United States has consistently affirmed that protecting intellectual property rights is essential to the promotion of creativity and innovation,” Paradiso said.
“Strong IPR protection fosters the creative work of artists, inventors, and start-up entrepreneurs and is integral to the rule of law and good governance. We continue to encourage the active engagement of all parties to modernise Hong Kong’s intellectual property laws to better reflect today’s digital media environment.”
The Hong Kong Copyright Alliance also held its rescheduled press conference today to oppose the three proposed amendments, after its meeting last Sunday was disrupted by a radical activist group.