Mr. Abse askedthe Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards assisting those whose United Kingdom copyrights are infringed in Singapore, particularly with regard to printed works; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what steps Her Majesty's Government take in the countries concerned to protect the interests of United Kingdom copyright holders (a) generally and (b) of printed works, where products which have been produced elsewhere in violation of United Kingdom copyrights are offered for sale; and if he will make a statement;
(3) what discussions the Minister for Trade, the right hon. Member for Southend, West (Mr. Channon) had with the Government of Singapore about infringements of United Kingdom copyrights in Singapore in the course of his recent visit (a) generally and (b) with particular reference to books; what response was made; and if he will make a statement;
(4) what information he has as to measures being taken by the Government of Singapore to protect (a) by legislation, (b) by enforcement of existing law and (c) by administrative measures the copyright of foreign works; and if he will make a statement;
(5) if Her Majesty's Government have any plans to take action to seek to reduce the level of infringement in Singapore of United Kingdom copyrights of printed works; and if he will make a statement;
(6) what information he has as to the estimated annual cost to the United Kingdom book industry of infringements in Singapore of United Kingdom copyrights of printed works and as to the trend in the level of such costs over the last five years; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ChannonThe Government take every available opportunity to impress on countries whose copyright law and enforcement procedures fail to protect United Kindgom copyright owners the inequity of permitting unauthorised exploitation of foreign copyright material. Such countries are urged to join the international copyright conventions and to enact effective copyright law. The Government continue to be concerned at the inadequacy of copyright protection for foreign works in Singapore and at the extent of piracy there of United Kingdom copyright material, including printed works. The scale of such piracy cannot be accurately estimated, but it is known to be considerable. The high commission maintains contact with the Singapore authorities on this issue, which I also raised during my recent visit to Singapore. I was informed by the acting Minister of Trade and Minister of Finance that the authorities recognised the need for revision of existing law. New legislation was under consideration, although no timetable could be given. Singapore copyright law is at present based on the United Kingdom Copyright Act 1911. The Singapore High Court has recently confirmed that this law is applicable to works first published in the United Kingdom. However, the available penalties and enforcement procedures are inappropriate to modern conditions.