Hong Kong pan-democrats pitch last-ditch proposal to save copyright bill, telling official to ‘stop being arrogant’
Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Greg So Kam-leung has pledged to give up on the bill if lawmakers won’t vote on it by Friday, but a compromise remains elusive
Three pan-democrats have pitched a last-minute proposal to try to rescue the government’s ill-fated copyright bill days before it is expected to be shelved amid protracted filibustering in the legislature.
The trio – the Civic Party’s Dennis Kwok and Charles Mok and Kenneth Leung of Professional Commons – have floated a “non-commercial dealing” exemption which suggests the government grant exemption to all non-commercial use of copyrighted materials, including literature, art work and music.
The government and copyright owners however were swift to voice opposition to the proposal floated by the three moderate politicians.
READ MORE: Hong Kong minister attacks lawmaker’s bid to adjourn debate on copyright bill
Debate on the copyright amendment bill will continue in the Legislative Council on Wednesday, but Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Greg So Kam-leung has already decided to “let go” the decade-long legislative project if lawmakers fail to vote on it by Friday.
That decision follows months of filibustering in Legco since the second reading of the current bill began late last year.
The bill aims to close loopholes in the existing copyright law which make it hard to fight piracy.
All 27 pan-democratic lawmakers have participated in the filibustering effort. They have echoed concerns expressed by internet users that the bill runs contrary to freedom of creation and expression, despite six exemptions having been introduced that cover parody, pastiche and current affairs.
