Wide-ranging changes to the copyright law proposed by the Government last night would decriminalise photocopying of books, newspaper articles and downloading from the Internet.
The move came seven months after a public outcry when a new copyright law was introduced containing provisions that criminalised the photocopying of newspapers and other printed materials, with a maximum penalty per article of a $50,000 fine and four years' imprisonment.
But the reaction led to a decision by the Government to partially suspend the law in June after admitting some of the provisions were ill-conceived.
Yesterday's consultation paper on the review of the Copyright Ordinance also suggested a review on parallel imports of copyright products such as books, magazines, CDs and videos, which would mean a fall in prices.
Parallel imports are products shipped from overseas agents who have a legitimate licence issued by the brand-name owner but who are not the official local distributors.
The Government said lifting the ban would be in line with its principles on the free flow of goods. But it also noted there would be strong opposition from the music and film industries.
The paper, prepared by the Commerce and Industry Bureau and opened for public consultation until the end of the year, also proposed outlawing possession of unauthorised Cable TV decoders in homes and businesses.
