To Reap What I Sowed
- Peter Kam Fai Cheung SBS
- Mar 28, 2019
- 2 min read
FADE IN:
INT. STUDY - DAY
TV is on. PETER works at his computer. We hear: "European Copyright Law Reform...
PETER (V.O.)
Oh, even protests in
streets. It happened
in Hong Kong in the
1990s when I was
primarily answerable
and responsible for
Hong Kong's copyright
law reform.
INT. SITTING ROOM - NIGHT
TV is on. Peter hears: "European Copyright Directive to protect copyright over the internet passed."
PETER (V.O.)
Oh, even Chinese channel
would report the legislative
progress.
INT STUDY - DAY
TV is on. We hear: "Internet will never be the same again". Surfing the web with his phone, Peter types: "European Copyright Law Reform."
PETER (V.O.)
This article written in Feb,
2019 is now dated.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
Oh, this one was my work
published in 1992...Yes it
was the year when I first
followed the challenge
of copyright in the digital
age at the World Intellectual
Property Organization (WIPO)
in Geneva.
FLASHBACK
INT. WIPO - DAY
European style conference room. Peter (38) sits with the delegation with a plate: "Royaume-Uni" Delegates speak one after another in French, Spanish and English, as directed by the President sitting at the podium.
A beat. Only a few souls are left in the conference room. Peter puts a camera on a tripod and takes a picture of himself.
END FLASHBACK
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
That was the only photo I took.
It was my first experience
and I was so excited. Since
then I made dozens of duty
visits to Geneva.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
From 1992-1996, I followed
closely the making of the
Internet Treaties 1996. I
incorporated the principles
and rules into Hong Kong's
copyright law in 1997. And
they are still good!
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd)
Now the Europeans are
taking the lead in protecting
authors and owners of
copyright contents over
the internet.
Peter checks phone. We see some data under the name Peter Kam Fai Cheung.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
The total no. of views is
the only recognition.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
The social networks operate
in EU Member States would
have to share part of their
profit margin to reciprocate
the content creators.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
When will other regions or
countries follow the EU
model? It would take many
many years.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd)
As an author and owner of
copyright works myself, if
I couldn't benefit from
my works during my life-
time, my children and
grandchildren will be
able to reap what I
sowed.
Peter continues to work on his computer.
FADE OUT. The End