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Government issues consultation document on parody (with photo)
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     The Government today (July 11) issued a consultation document to launch a three-month public consultation exercise to explore how our copyright regime should deal with parody appropriately. The document sets out three options together with relevant considerations:

Option 1: clarification of existing provisions for criminal sanction under the Copyright Ordinance (Cap. 528);
Option 2: introduction of a criminal exemption for parody; and
Option 3: introduction of a fair dealing exception for parody.

     The consultation document also gives details on key issues related to parody, the current legal situation in Hong Kong and the situations in major overseas jurisdictions.

     Speaking to the media today, the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Gregory So, said, "In pace with the rapid development of the knowledge-based economy, we keep our copyright regime under regular review to ensure that it continues to evolve and serve the best interests of Hong Kong.

     "With technological advancements, parody is now commonly seen on the Internet.  We note that there are wide-ranging views on how parody should be treated under our copyright regime, and there have been ongoing discussions and developments in overseas countries.

     "The aim of the consultation exercise is to explore how our copyright regime should give due regard to present day circumstances and take care of parody as appropriate, to strike a balance between copyright protection and freedom of expression. The consultation paper contains three options regarding the treatment of parody, including exemption from criminal and civil liabilities."

     The Government maintains an open mind towards the options and welcomes views from the public.

     "The objectives of the consultation exercise are to build consensus in the community, and enable us to identify an option which serves the best interests of Hong Kong," Mr So added.

     "We will carefully consider views collected during the consultation period and take a policy view on how parody should be treated."

     To gauge public views, public forums will be held during the consultation period.  The Government will announce details in due course.

     The three-month consultation will end on October 15. Views should be sent to us on or before the deadline by:

email: co_consultation@cedb.gov.hk
fax:   852-2147 3065
post:  Division 3,
       Commerce, Industry and Tourism Branch
       Commerce and Economic Development Bureau
       23/F, West Wing
       Central Government Offices
       2 Tim Mei Avenue
       Tamar, Hong Kong

     The consultation document can be found on the website of the Intellectual Property Department (www.ipd.gov.hk).

Ends/Thursday, July 11, 2013
Issued at HKT 17:23

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