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The Government today (August 1) invites the public, including internet users, copyright owners and online service providers, to give their views on preliminary proposals for strengthening copyright protection in the digital environment. Submissions may be given until August 31.
A Commerce and Economic Development Bureau spokesman said the Government would welcome the views of the public on how best to provide an environment conducive to the sustainable development of creative industries in this digital era.
In April, the bureau released its preliminary proposals for strengthening copyright protection in the digital environment as the basis for further public consultation and consensus building.
The Government, in the preliminary proposals, stated its position on issues including the protection of copyright works transmitted to the public via all forms of communication technology, the role of online service providers in combating internet piracy, and measures to facilitate copyright owners to take civil action against online infringement.
Public forums and consultative sessions for targeted groups have been held in the past few months to collect stakeholders¡¦ views.
¡§The Government will carefully consider the views received before determining whether and, if so, how the preliminary proposals should be fine-tuned,¡¨ the spokesman said.
¡§We encourage everyone concerned to give us their views and comments. Views should be sent, by August 31, by email to co_consultation@cedb.gov.hk, by fax to 2869 4420, or by post to Level 29, One Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Hong Kong for attention of Division 3, Commerce, Industry and Tourism Branch of the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau,¡¨ the spokesman said.
Relevant information can be found on the website of the Commerce, Industry and Tourism Branch of the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau (www.cedb.gov.hk/citb).
Ends/Friday, August 1, 2008
Issued at HKT 16:10
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