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Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Gregory So, on the Copyright (Amendment) Bill 2014 at a media session in the Legislative Council Complex today (February 17):
Reporter: (On the meeting today... reaching consensus...)
Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development: The meeting today was conducted in a very, I think, orderly manner. And I think the attitude of all parties coming to the meeting was constructive so (the meeting) was very smooth in that sense. But they have well entrenched position still and it is quite a little bit of divergent at the moment. I don't see any middle ground or a ground that will make either side happy at the moment. And so some pan-democratic members are requesting the Government to have a middle-ground proposal. But I don't see any point of bringing this up because either side is not really in agreement right now and is quite far apart. What we have is a bill that embodies all the areas that have been agreed upon after years of consultation and deliberation. This matter has been thoroughly discussed in the community as well as in LegCo. So I think the best course right now is to pass this piece of legislation and then we will immediately start the next round of consultation on these issues that have not reached consensus.
Reporter: (On the Bar Association's statement)
Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development: I agreed with the Bar Association's position today that this piece of legislation has already enlarged the scope of protection for the netizens and therefore we should take this forward. That is the right course to do. I agreed with the Bar Association's position and I would call upon the Honourable Dennis Kwok to listen to the view of the Law Society and the Bar Association his constituent.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Wednesday, February 17, 2016
Issued at HKT 21:45
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