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Category Iii Films And Vcds: The Failure Of Deterrence In The Copyright Ordinance Of Hong Kong, Allen Woods
Category Iii Films And Vcds: The Failure Of Deterrence In The Copyright Ordinance Of Hong Kong, Allen Woods
Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law
In 1997, the government of Hong Kong enacted the Copyright Ordinance. The goal of the Ordinance was to establish a strong deterrent against the illegal manufacture and sale of copyright infringing materials, especially pirated video and digital compact discs. Courts have interpreted the Ordinance to allow the Customs and Excise Department sweeping powers of search and seizure. As a result, the government has seized many thousands of copyright infringing video compact discs and courts have enforced lengthy custodial sentences against guilty parties.
Despite these efforts, though, film piracy continues to grow throughout Hong Kong and transnational film interests have begun …