When the Intellectual Property (Miscellaneous Amendments) Ordinance came into effect on 1 April, the new law caused a great deal of disruption on regular business and educational activities. Everyone was concerned with the potential criminal liability of photocopying newspaper articles and other printed materials. And there was a flood of criticisms from different sectors of the society. Shortly afterwards, the Government passed the Copyright (Suspension of Amendments) Ordinance 2001 to allow themselves more time to re-examine the issue. In this context, the Hong Kong Library Association organized a copyright seminar at the Lecture Theatre of Hong Kong Central Library on 27 June. The weather was extremely bad that day as the red rainstorm warning signal was hoisted most time in the afternoon. Despite the weather condition, about 150 members joined the event. A distinguished panel of speakers shared with members on these major issues; the latest developments of copyright and intellectual property laws relevant to reprographic activities in libraries, user responsibilities in the new copyright context, future legislative process following the suspension of amendments, and the services available from licensing bodies. The four experienced copyright speakers for this seminar were:
Ms. Maria Ng, Solicitor (Advisory) of the Intellectual Property DepartmentThe UGC funded institutions also set up a HUCOM Task Force to study the copyright issue and to give advice to the heads of the universities. Johnson, Stokes & Master is hired as the legal consultant. The legal consultant has drafted a warning message for display on photocopiers. On 29 August, representatives of JULAC libraries met Mr. Stephen Selby, Director of the Intellectual Property Department, at the Polytechnic University Library to exchange views on the issue. In the course of discussion, JULAC libraries were invited to submit a focus paper to facilitate the consultation process.
Mr. Viking Yam, General Manager of Hong Kong Reprographic Rights Licensing Society
Dr. Chin Wan-kan, Director of Planning & Research, Arts Development Council
Mr. Patrick Kwong, Director of the City University of Hong Kong Press and Convenor of HUCOM Copyright Task Force
With the kind permission of JULAC, the warning
message and focus paper are reprinted here
for members' reference.
