Commercial users of illegal decoders for watching pay-TV programmes would be subject to a $1 million fine and up to five years' imprisonment under new proposals put forward by the government yesterday.
But pay-TV operators will only be able to seek compensation from domestic viewers through the civil courts, according to the draft amendment that is due to be presented to the Legislative Council on May 14.
Marion Lai Chan Chi-kuen, deputy secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology (information technology and broadcasting), said: 'We believe the proposed sanction will be effective in deterring unauthorised reception, whether for domestic or commercial purposes, because it sends a very clear signal to the community that pirated viewers of licensed pay-TV services will be sanctioned.'
She added that the government had not proposed holding domestic viewers criminally liable - unlike in the United States and Canada - due to privacy issues and difficulties in enforcement.
But the news prompted an angry reaction from some operators, who say the measures do not go far enough to protect their interests.
Garmen Chan, spokesman for dominant Pay-TV channel i-Cable Communications, said: 'We are disappointed with the proposal.
