Film industry sceptical on online download service

Hong Kong's first legitimate internet movie downloading service will be launched next month but the film industry is sceptical about its feasibility.

M@TV, operated by Mei Ah Entertainment Group, has a library of more than 1,000 movies. It will officially launch next month.

More movies will be added to the database and the price will be adjusted according to the release date. Newer films will cost more, but these will only be available online after their cinema release has come to an end.

To download a movie, users have to register with the website, and download video-viewing software developed by Mei Ah. The files will be locked, preventing it from being burned on on a CD or DVD, or forwarding the files to other computer users. The file will be disabled three days after it is downloaded.

Patrick Tong Hing-chi, managing director of Mei Ah, said the idea was similar to video rental stores.

'This is like a test for consumers, who have been saying that they downloaded movies from illegitimate channels like BitTorrent because no official channels are available. We have to wait for the actual market response,' said Mr Tong. 'We need consumers to respect intellectual property rights.'