Failure to pass copyright bill would damage Hong Kong’s creative industries, argue rights owners
Commerce minister will pull bill from Legco consideration if it isn’t passed by Friday
Copyright industry associations have warned that failing to pass the controversial copyright bill by next Friday will severely damage local creative industries, leaving professionals incapable of sustaining their careers and eroding Hong Kong’s cultural assets.
But a musician who opposes the copyright bill argued that such insistence on passing the law was just the associations defending their turf, refusing to adapt to the digital age with new business models.
The government pledged not to bring the Copyright (Amendment) Bill 2014 back to the discussion table during its term if the bill is not passed by next Friday. It said there was no political agenda behind the decision.
The bill, dubbed “Internet Article 23”, is set to be scrutinised by Legco on March 2, in a meeting lasting three days.
Commerce minister Greg So Kam-leung said on Friday that the government would table a motion on March 4 to adjourn the debate if the bill was not approved by then. He admitted the government could bring the bill back to the table any time, as long as it gave Legco five days’ notice.
“If the bill is adjourned, I do not see the chance of bringing back the bill to the Legco in this section, as well as in this term of the government,” said So.
READ MORE: Hong Kong government’s shelving of controversial copyright bill: what went wrong?
