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Following is a speech by the Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology, Mr Henry Tang, in moving the Resolution to approve the Copyright (Suspension of Amendments) Ordinance 2001 (Amendment) Notice 2003 in the Legislative Council today (July 3):

Madam President,

I move that the Motion set out in the Order Paper be passed. The Motion approves the Copyright (Suspension of Amendments) Ordinance 2001 (Amendment) Notice 2003 made by the Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology.

In April 2001, the coming into effect of criminal liabilities for possessing pirated articles in the course of business aroused wide public concerns about possible adverse impact on the dissemination of information in enterprises and teaching in schools. The Copyright (Suspension of Amendments) Ordinance 2001 ("the Suspension Ordinance") was then passed in June 2001 to suspend the new criminal provisions except as they applied to computer programs, movies, television dramas and musical recordings.

The relevant provisions under the Suspension Ordinance originally expired on July 31, 2002. Under section 3 of the Suspension Ordinance, the Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology may by notice published in the Gazette before the expiry date amend that date. Such a notice is subject to the approval of the Legislative Council. The Government proposed and the Legislative Council approved in July last year the extension of the effective period of the Suspension Ordinance for one year until July 31 this year. This is to facilitate the preparation of legislative proposals by the Government on the long term solution for the suspension arrangements.

After extensive consultation, we introduced the Copyright (Amendment) Bill 2003 to the Legislative Council in February this year. The Bill proposes, among other things, to continue with the current arrangements under the Suspension Ordinance. It is now being scrutinised by the Bills Committee. To ensure that the Legislative Council has sufficient time to scrutinize the Bill, the Government proposes to extend further the effective period of the Suspension Ordinance for one more year until 31 July 2004 and the Copyright (Suspension of Amendments) Ordinance 2001 (Amendment) Notice 2003 is made for this purpose.

Thank you, Madam President.

End/Thursday, July 3, 2003

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