Editorial | Amend copyright laws to help clarify AI development issues in Hong Kong
- The amended legislation will need to strike the right balance between the rights of users of copyrighted material and those of the owners. That will not be easy to achieve
The significant impact of fast-developing artificial intelligence (AI) technology on so many different sectors of society calls for a comprehensive and carefully calibrated response from governments around the world.
This is especially important in Hong Kong, which has aspirations to be an international innovation and technology centre, as well as a regional hub for intellectual property trading.
Many initiatives are under way, establishing new policies, laying down guidelines and regulations, attracting talent and providing much-needed infrastructure.
Amending copyright laws to ensure they tackle AI’s development issues will be needed. A two-month consultation launched by the government last month is welcome.
Proposals are put forward in a 52-page document and views invited. Stakeholders should express their opinions frankly. Officials should approach the consultation with an open mind and be receptive to feedback.
The paper covers copyright protection, liability for infringement, exemptions and other related issues.
A recommendation that existing laws are sufficient to safeguard works that attract copyright and liability for infringements, avoids the need to meet head on some of the more difficult issues arising from new technology, such as generative AI.